Nine Days.  Come when you wish, depart when you must.

September 4-12, 2025 Humboldt County,  Northern California

Join us for the THIRD Humboldt Tracker Gathering (2006, 2016 and now, 2026!), a relaxed, community-driven event celebrating the art and science of wildlife tracking in one of California's most breathtaking natural settings. Hosted at YMCA Camp Ravencliff along the scenic Eel River, this 10-day gathering from September 4 -12 (overlapping Labor Day weekend) is designed for trackers of all experience levels—from absolute beginners to seasoned experts.  Camping, cabins, YMCA kitchen, dining hall, showers and restrooms available for $20 a day.  Come when you wish, depart when you wish.  

Inspired by the Legendary Kim Cabrera

by Terry Hunefeld

Kim is a tracking icon with dual specialist certificates and a massive following through her Facebook groups including "Animals Don't Cover Their Tracks."   I consider Kim a legend in tracking—one of a few women  (and perhaps the first?) in North America with dual specialist certificates. Her amazing ability to interpret and see things that others miss has inspired  many of us. She's produced countless helpful videos and vignettes (especially from the Eel River Valley near her home), built an educational website for new trackers and is the founder of huge Facebook groups dedicated to tracking.  Kim devotes her entire life to this work. Many of us consider her a legend, and this is my chance to finally meet her in person on her home turf.

A Smorgasbord of Events... Something For Everyone

The Tracker Gathering aims to foster a welcoming space for all levels of trackers... where participants can learn, connect, and immerse themselves in nature without pressure or rigid structure. Whether you're drawn by Kim's insightful videos from the Eel River Valley or simply eager to explore redwood country, this is your chance to meet like-minded tracker with endless curiosity, share stories in the lodge dining room or around the campfire, and deepen your tracking skills in a fun, informal atmosphere.

The Tracker Gathering embodies a "choose-your-own-adventure" vibe, allowing you to customize your experience. Stay for just a couple of days, the full duration, or anything in between—there's no minimum commitment. Each day will feature a variety of workshops, group outings, and communal activities, with plenty of flexibility to mix and match. Come when you wish, depart when you must.

Evening Meal Time Will Feature Kim:   Trackers are invited to use the large, spacious kitchen for meal preparation.  We will have full use of the dining room in the camp's lodge for getting to know each other, exchanging tracking tips, casual discussions and opportunities to unwind with each other. Kim plans to be at every evening meal, so this is your opportunity to get to know her - up close and personal - and thank her for all the great work she's done over the years.

All Proceeds Support the TCNA Financial Access Fund, making professional-level tracking training more inclusive for underrepresented communities in wildlife research, conservation, and outdoor education. This event is about building camaraderie, turning newcomers onto the joys of tracking, and supporting the growth of our community.  

It's All About You and Your Schedule:  Come when you wish.  Participate in events that speak to you.  Leave when you must.  

Stunning Location and Ideal Conditions

Nestled in the heart of redwood country, YMCA Camp Ravencliff spans over 60 acres of lush meadows, wooded hillsides, and riverfront terrain, providing an isolated yet accessible haven for exploration. Perched on a cliff overlooking the Eel River, the camp borders Redwood State Park, granting direct access to groves of towering ancient redwoods and a plethora of tracking hotspots. In September, the weather is typically mild and beautiful, with low river levels exposing expansive mudflats perfect for spotting fresh tracks and signs. Dusty dirt roads throughout the area hold impressions exceptionally well, while nearby bends and stretches of the Eel River—many on public land—offer diverse habitats teeming with wildlife clues like scat, rubs, and feeding sites.

Beyond the camp itself, Kim is compiling a list of her favorite tracking locations for workshop leaders within a 30 minute drive, many of which have featured in her popular videos and vignettes. These spots include sandy riverbanks, forested trails, dusty dirt roads and open meadows, ensuring a rich variety of environments to practice in.

The camp's serene, isolated feel is balanced by its convenience—it's just a short drive from the charming small towns of Redway and Garberville, where you'll find groceries, restaurants, gas stations, and other essentials. This makes the event not only immersive but also practical, allowing you to stock up easily without disrupting your tracking-focused escape. Whether you're tracking along the low-flowing Eel River or wandering dusty roads, the setting promises an unforgettable blend of tranquility and adventure.

Workshops and Activities

At the core of the Humboldt Tracker Gathering are daily workshops led by Kim Cabrera and other experienced trackers. Many of these sessions will be intentionally approachable, catering to newer and intermediate trackers.  Other workshops are planned for intermediate and skilled trackers. We are also planning informal field trips for highly skilled trackers.  

Workshops will probably range from half-day to full-days to two-days.  Most will be held out in the field (or indoors if the weather is inclement) or a combination of both. Many workshops will take place right on the YMCA grounds where Kim Cabrera has filmed more than 80% of her hundreds of famous videos.  To top it off, there are dozens more tracking sites within a 30-minute drive from the camp that will also be explored in workshops. 

Topics will draw from the abundant local sign, focusing on real-world in-the-moment discoveries.  Our "textbook" will be the Redwood Forests and Eel River -- and our teachers will be the animals themselves. Leaders will focus on hands-on explorations where participants discuss tracks, scat, digs, nesting sign, feeding sign -- all in the moment - as we encounter them.

To accommodate varying skill levels, we'll tailor offerings based on experience levels; expect a mix of beginner-friendly sessions like "Tracking 101: Intro to Reading Track & Sign," "Mock Evals" (certification-style practice with zero pressure and no stakes), "Tracking Along the Eel River" (hitting nearby mudflats).   

For those with more experience, options might include nuanced discussions on locomotion patterns, bird tracks, feathers, skulls and mandibles.  The emphasis is on fun and fitting themes that emerge from the group's interests—perhaps a holistic look at animal evidence in the redwoods or riverbank discoveries. No matter your level, you'll have opportunities to track in diverse spots, learn from each other or experts without stress, and even participate in evening meals that turn into impromptu mentoring sessions.

Two TCNA Track & Sign Certifications

The featured events are two official Tracker Certification North America (TCNA) Track and Sign certifications conducted by evaluator Matt Nelson (pictured above), marking his return to the circuit after a well-deserved break to finish his house and welcome a new baby. These standard evaluations are scheduled for Sunday-Monday, September 6-7, and Wednesday-Thursday, September 9-10.  Tuition for each event is $425, limited to 11 participants.   If you're ready to test your skills in a supportive environment, these certifications offer a structured path to advancement through Tracking Certification North America (TCNA).  Workshops will take place during and around these dates, allowing participants to prepare, observe, or recover without missing out on the fun. Even if certification isn't your goal, watching or joining mock versions can provide valuable insights into the process.  All certification proceeds will be donated to the TCNA Financial Access Fund.