LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. – Spencer Cox, Parker Burnell, and Matt Zupan are a group of friends who decided to put their shared joy for trail running and their love for the Sierra Nevada into a new guidebook highlighting 50 of their favorite trails across eight sub-regions in the Northern Sierra.
The trio began running together in Tahoe three years ago, but before that, it was thanks to a youth nonprofit organization called SOS Outreach that they would meet. While volunteering as a mentor, Zupan was introduced to Cox who worked at SOS Outreach full-time.
“We had a couple of connections,” said Zupan. “And [Cox] was good friends with Parker, the other author and he introduced us.”
Their common love for Sierra Nevada recreation took them along many trails throughout the region, together and independently.
When asked what sparked their interest to write “Tahoe Trail Runs”, Zupan said it started with a guidebook they had previously read.
“We got a lot of inspiration from a book that already focused on the Eastern Sierra. We had seen that book and loved it,” said Zupan. “We ran a lot in Tahoe and thought there were a lot of trails to do a guidebook up here, and it would be really fun.”
Once research began and pen hit paper, it was a matter of finding a publisher willing to print. Once again, SOS Outreach acted as a hub to bring things together.
“We got so lucky there,” Zupan said excitedly, and noted that if it wasn’t for fellow SOS Outreach colleague Gary Goldfinger, the three authors may not have gotten in with Wolverine Publishing. The classic saying, “It’s who you know” would prove to be beneficial here.
“[Goldfinger] had published a rock climbing guidebook for an area that he loved back where he was from in New York. So he had this contract with Wolverine and a connection with them.”
After scouring 500 miles of trails, writing detailed descriptions of all 50, and learning the ins and outs of the publishing process, “Tahoe Trail Runs” was born.
“One of my favorite things about the book that Spencer said was the intent is part guidebook, part coffee table book,” Zupan added. “We want the pictures to pop up that anyone with any sort of connection to the region would be super proud to just have around the house, and you don’t necessarily have to be a runner,”.
Divided into eight sub-regions, the book features 500 miles of trails spread across North Lake, South Lake, East Lake, West Lake, Reno, Carson City, Lakes Basin and Auburn.
In addition to trail running, most trails included in “Tahoe Trail Runs” make for great hikes.
The book includes GPS links that you can take right from the book to your phone so you don’t have to worry about downloading apps. Each run also comes with descriptor words that highlight a particular trail’s terrain, as well as a rating so readers can see exactly what they’re getting into before they hit the trail.
“We reached out to a lot of very talented local runners that wrote essays for the book, and I think at its core, the book is about how simple, inclusive and community-based trail running is.”
“Tahoe Trail Runs” is scheduled for release at the end of 2026, and you can follow along or learn more about the book by visiting tahoetrailruns.com.
