How can we show up for the trails and lands that mean so much to us? We’re living in a moment when our public lands are facing continued pressure. From federal budget cuts to changing environmental protections and the effects of a years-long drought on trails, local wildlife and ecosystems. It can be easy to
Twelve Years to Understand One Trail The first few summers that I lived in our valley was an exciting time of exploration. Everything was new and I wanted to experience the surrounding outdoors and public lands to its fullest, whether it was heading into the Holy Cross Wilderness for a backpacking trip or mountain biking
July Isn’t So Dry – Monsoon Season Begins, and Trail Loraxes Grin! Despite what can feel like relentless heat at times, summer monsoon rains finally brought much needed moisture to the Vail Valley. Fingers crossed these monsoon rains carry into the end August as we continue to battle ongoing drought, warm temperatures, and water scarcity.
Half a Century of Caring for Eagles Nest Wilderness President Gerald Ford signed the Eagles Nest Wilderness designation into law after a twelve year fight led by local citizens, including the late Bill Mounsey, who walked the boundary of what would become this protected landscape long before it had any legal protection at all. That
And just like that, it’s officially summer! In June we saw the longest days of the year, numerous seasonal wildlife closures end, and volunteers, staff and participants make the most of these long, warm summer days and evenings. Wildflowers started blooming,and wildlife and humans alike are out enjoying the natural wonders of our public lands.
In 2016, community leader Lee Rimel got a phone call that changed Eagle County’s trails forever. A U.S. Forest Service (USFS) employee tipped him off quietly. The budget had been cut, and without funding for a summer ranger, USFS seasonal trail workers would have no supervision and no coordinated trail work that season. Rimel called
Trails and Stewardship Crew May was a big month on the trail for the Trails and Stewardship Crew (TSC). The crew covered 54 miles of trail while focusing on clearing trees, making trails accessible, improving campgrounds and trailheads, and caring for the places our community loves to explore. Keeping Trails Open and Accessible One of
By Ernest Saeger Fire season in Eagle County is part of the deal. Those of us who live and play here know the rhythm: restrictions go up, plans shift, and when the smoke clears, we get back outside. What most people have not considered is that the trails we hike, run, and ride on could
Love your local trails? Turn that love into action by joining VVMTA’s Adopt a Trail program! We’re looking for teams to help care for and steward Eagle County’s incredible trail system. What is Adopt a Trail? Launched in 2016, the Adopt a Trail (AAT) program is a community-driven stewardship initiative where local groups adopt a
Every drain cleared, every rock placed, every laugh shared on the trail tells a story of stewardship and connection. This year, the Vail Valley Mountain Trails Alliance’s Adopt A Trail (AAT) program once again proved that when our community comes together, the trails — and the people who love them — thrive. Here’s a look into
It is that time of the year when we begin to trade in bike shoes and trail runners for ski boots and layers of winter gear. It is the familiar change of seasons in the mountains, a reminder that as we move from one outdoor adventure to the next, we also take time to look
Over 715 volunteers lent more than 2,000 hours of their time to loving the trails this summer. Despite decreasing our Adopt A Trail teams from 80 last year to just 60 this season, we saw an increase in our total volunteer hours as well as almost doubling the feet of tread repaired and restored. From
Since its inaugural year, Adopt A Trail has amassed over 80 teams and thousands of total volunteers. This summer, 601 volunteers spent 2,135 hours digging drains, improving tread, and removing trees, committed to stewardship and maintaining the trails we love. There is palpable dedication within our community to preserve the trails in Eagle County. Spanning
2022 Adopt A Trail Awards Most Trail Work Days: Eagle County Dept. of Human Services (Adams Way & 3 Sisters) Rock Work Team of the Year: Walking Mountains (Buck Creek) Most Volunteer Hours: Vail Club 50 (Stage Gulch) Most Number of Volunteers: QuietKat (Elk Drop) Trail Project of the Year: Elevated Dental (Martin Creek) Best
This morning our Adopt A Trail Coordinator Michelle Wolffe, Mike Beach with the USFS Eagle-Holy Cross Ranger District Office, and Bill Hoblitzell with the VVMBA were interviewed on KZYR to discuss the amazing accomplishments of the Adopt A Trail program in 2017. Listen to the interview here and try not to be as blown away
2017 Adopt A Trail Mid Season Review August 2017 marks a very successful second season to Eagle County’s Adopt A Trail (AAT) program. AAT originated last spring as a collaborative effort between the Vail Valley Mountain Bike Association (VVMBA) and the White River division of the United States Forest Service. Together VVMBA and the USFS
There is no shortage of trail love in the Vail Valley and Eagle County’s first ever Adopt A Trail program last summer proved that. Vail Valley Mountain Bike Association spearheaded the program and partnered with the U.S. Forest Service early in 2016 to get the ball rolling. The association created a GoFundMe site that collected
The Eagle County Adopt a Trail program kicked off this past year and to build upon the 2016 success, we are raising funds to keep the program rolling! This past summer’s accomplishments were substantial. Trail surface restoration occurred on almost 200 feet of trail, and 64 social trails (short cuts) were restored. Nearly 134 pounds
