Woman of Downieville: Taylor Eigenhuis, Thriving on the Trails
- Gary Herbert
- Sep 8
- 6 min read
When you meet Taylor Eigenhuis, it doesn’t take long to realize she isn’t just another member of the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship (SBTS) crew, she’s redefining what it means to thrive in a male-dominated profession. With chainsaws in hand, dirt bikes beneath her, and miles of rugged terrain ahead, Taylor is helping to shape the future of the Downieville trails while carving out a space for women in a field where they are still underrepresented. Her journey has been marked by grit, struggle, and resilience, but also by a deep love for the outdoors and an unwavering commitment to her community.
“I’ve had men tell me girls don’t know how to use a rock bar, or worse, try to sexualize me just for wearing a hard hat and chaps. Like what the hell?!”
Trail work is tough by any measure. Days are long and physical, filled with digging, lifting heavy rock, and riding singletrack deep into the mountains. But for Taylor, the hardest part hasn’t always been the physical grind, it’s been proving herself in the face of doubt and bias.
She recalls moments when riders stopped to thank her crew, only to shake her male teammates’ hands and overlook her completely. Those experiences are painful reminders of the barriers women face in traditionally male professions. Yet, instead of backing down, Taylor has leaned in, working twice as hard, sharpening her skills, and showing again and again that she belongs.
Still, Taylor is the first to say her story isn’t only about the struggle. Within SBTS, she’s found a crew that recognizes her strengths and holds her to the same high standard as anyone else. That balance of respect and challenge is what fuels her determination.
“I really just strive to inspire young girls who might see me holding my own around all the boys.”
Taylor’s thoughts on Thriving on the Trails and in Life
For starters, I find it so important to go into everything knowing your worth. Be confident in your strengths and humble about your weaknesses. You’re here for a reason—because you’re qualified and capable. When you carry confidence, you not only perform better, but you also remind your colleagues of your potential. And when you’re inevitably falling short with something, accept growth. Let those who have more knowledge or experience teach you and provide you with constructive feedback. Remember that if you’re struggling with a certain task, it’s not because you’re a woman. Everyone brings their own strengths to the table, yourself included, and everyone has areas they lack in too.
I remember at the beginning of this season I had to break this massive rock with a double jack and wasn’t making much progress. I was looking around and saw my male crew members doing the same thing but with ease. I was really hard on myself in that moment and wondered if it was because I was a woman and not as strong as the men I was working with. But I was so wrong. Later in the season, my crew leader noticed me struggling with the same thing and it turns out I just needed to adjust my technique. I wasn’t weaker; I was just doing it wrong. Now I go into everything with the confidence that I do belong here and I’m just as valuable to my crew as everyone else.
The Power of Mind Over Matter
This leads me to my next piece of advice: the power of mind over matter. I actually learned this from my Backcountry Trail Crew leader; LB. LB is female bodied and goes by they/them pronouns. They were probably one of the most petite people on our crew, but they rewired the way I made assumptions about people’s capabilities based off of physical appearances.
They were by far the strongest, most badass person on our crew. They single-handedly moved huge rocks that weighed triple their own weight. They carried the most tools and the heaviest packs while backpacking but were even still always the fastest hiker. I remember watching them rock climbing maybe 50 feet up a cliff and then they got to a small ledge just wide enough for their fingers and started doing pull-ups. They didn’t even break a sweat.
When you truly start to understand the power of mind over matter, you break that thing in your mind that limits you. If you look at a dirt bike, for example, and tell yourself, “I could never ride that,” chances are, you won’t. Even if you got on and tried with that mindset, it’s likely you’ll crash more frequently and severely. That’s your mind limiting you. And your mind is so much stronger, so much more powerful, than your body. After understanding this, I’ve done incredible things, from lifting huge dense objects to increasing my stamina and excelling much faster than I have in the past with sports and various skills. Tell yourself you can, and you will.
Navigating Misogyny and Sexism
Something to expect before involving yourself with anything that’s male-dominated is unfortunately misogyny and sexism. I’ve been very lucky to have worked with so many incredible men and women who support me and appreciate me for who I am and the work that I do. But that’s not to say I’ve never experienced situations that have made me uncomfortable solely due to the fact that I’m a woman. I’ve heard endless conversations and jokes about the nature of the sexualization of women’s bodies. I’ve had many moments where I’ve been given the easier tasks or where I’m stuck doing “busy work” while my male coworkers get to work on important projects. I’ve been ignored over and over again when suggesting solutions or ideas when we run into a problem or are starting a new project.
Even if its completely unintentional, sexism is unfortunately a product of society and I see it all the time even from my crew, who I’m more friends with than coworkers with. But our job as the women in these situations is to speak up and to educate. Never stay quiet if something makes you feel uncomfortable or upset. Speak up, break the norm, and know that your frustration is valid. Be consistent and get mad when you’re not heard, until you are. Because women deserve to feel safe, respected, and valued at work just like the men.
Acknowledging the Men Who Support Me
Before I send this, I want to make myself very clear that I’m not sharing my experiences and story to degrade men. I want to shed light on the women who don’t get as much recognition because they’re a minority in male-dominated environments. But I also want to acknowledge all the men who support, encourage, and value women. I am so lucky to have Josh and Evan as crew members and Henry O’Donnell as our trail boss. They’ve always made me feel heard and seen and I truly feel respected and valued by them. I’m so grateful to have been accepted into the SBTS family and to be led by so many inspiring men and women.
More Than a Trail Crew Member
Whether she’s maintaining the legendary Downieville trails, cheering on female riders, or simply showing up every day with grit and determination, Taylor is helping to create more space for women in outdoor work and recreation.
Her connection to the land runs deep. At 18, Taylor joined the Backcountry Trails Program, dropping out of high school, earning her GED, and throwing herself into six months of wilderness living and labor. It was a defining moment, her first real job, her first taste of independence, and the place she discovered her passion for stewardship. Today, she sees her work as more than trail maintenance. It’s about creating spaces where people, herself included, can find sanctuary, healing, and hope in the outdoors.
“Being able to go out into the mountains or the forest can be, for many, the only escape from whatever struggles they might be dealing with.”
Taylor’s story is a reminder that representation matters. She has faced dismissal, disrespect, and abuse, but instead of letting those experiences silence her, she has turned them into motivation. By holding her own on the trail crew, she isn’t just shaping paths through the Sierra, she’s paving the way for other women who dream of thriving in spaces where they’ve long been told they don’t belong.
How You Can Get Involved: Be Part of the Movement
You don’t have to swing a pickaxe to support SBTS but if you want to, they’d love to have you. Here are a few ways you can help:
🧤 Volunteer
Join a trail workday! It’s hands-on, dirty, and incredibly rewarding. No experience needed just bring a good attitude and a water bottle.
💰 Donate
Every dollar you give supports new trail miles, local jobs, and stewardship programs. You’re not just giving to the outdoors you’re investing in the future of rural California.
🚴 Ride & Respect
Get out and enjoy the trails! But ride responsibly, practice Leave No Trace and always give back more than you take.
👕 Rock the Gear
Snag some SBTS merch and rep the cause wherever you go. Every hat, shirt, or hoodie helps fund trail building and spreads the message.
🔗 Learn more or join the movement at sierratrails.org
Read more about the SBTS in our interview with members of the trail crew that keep Downieville clean and safe for all riders. Digging In: Behind the Scenes with Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship
I think this story is mislabeled. It should be "Women of the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship." While Taylor is a glowing example of a woman who works hard on the bike trails, she does not portray that of a true Downieville woman. The women of Downieville are those who live here full time, raised families here, created and managed successful businesses here, or volunteer in our local organizations. These are the women who embrace the concept of caring and supporting our entire small community and have a vested interest in its future. Best wishes to Taylor in her future accomplishments for the Trail Stewardship.