Jared Manninen

Like most writers and artists, I’ve spent years experimenting with various mediums and studying different subject matter in pursuit of refining what I have to say. When I moved to Lake Tahoe in 2005, I continued this exploration. And, in 2009, I self-published a horror-themed graphic novel thinking that I wanted to break into the comics world. That didn't take hold, though, because I didn't have the technical skills to produce sequential art and the medium didn't align with my method of expression. The bottom line is that just because I love reading comic books doesn't mean I should necessarily become a comic book writer or artist! But the project taught me a lot about the value in commitment to a larger-scale project.

In 2011, I self-published an illustrated memoir about my experience thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail (in 1999). Then in 2017, I self-published my third book which was inspired by my love of Lake Tahoe. However, this book is actually a coloring book based on my 2014 thru-hike of the Tahoe Rim Trail. It's called "Color the Tahoe Rim Trail."

Producing and publishing my Appalachian Trail and Tahoe Rim Trail books is when I started to generate momentum which ultimately lead to where I am today. The theme that’s remained constant in my life has been my love of outdoor adventure. Being outside fuels my creativity and inspires me to learn and live my life to the fullest. And I love to share my love of the outdoors with others, seeking to inspire people to go outside and have their own adventures. So at the end of 2016, I began to build my passion project which is the outdoor blog called Tahoe Trail Guide. I continue to write articles on the site and publish outdoor-related videos on YouTube.

I continue to create art in other genres and mediums, but you can find my most inspired and comprehensive work at Tahoe Trail Guide. That said, visit my personal website JaredManninen.com to read my monthly newsletter that features photos, videos, and updates on all of my projects. There you can also find portfolios of my previous art an illustration projects via the Art & Design page.