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
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
On a July morning at a Wilderness trailhead in the Vail Valley, the parking lot fills faster than most people expect. By 7 a.m. there are a handful of cars. By 9 the lot is full. By 10, vehicles stretch down the road in both directions. The people heading up the trail come from everywhere:
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
Think back to the first time you stepped onto a trail. Maybe you were uncertain about what you’d find out there. Maybe the signs didn’t quite make sense, or you weren’t sure if you were welcome. For many of us, that feeling faded with time and experience. For a large part of Eagle County’s Latino
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
By Ernest Saeger This spring has come on fast. The valley is drying out early, and every trail in Eagle County looks like it should be open. So when you pull up to a trailhead and find a gate, the timing feels especially rough. You drove out here with a perfectly good plan, and the
This year was a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish together for the trails and public lands we love. As a community, we put more people, more care, and more heart on the ground than ever before, and the impact is visible from Eagle to Vail and beyond. One of the proudest milestones was
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
As another trail season comes to a close, we pause to reflect on the powerful moments, meaningful conversations, and small acts of stewardship that defined the work of our Trail Ambassadors this summer. Our Trail Ambassador program continued to flourish with the help of Melanie Morone and Emily Carney, both returning to VVMTA for their
When the Government Shuts Down, Our Public Lands Feel It When the federal government shuts down, the effects reach far beyond Washington DC. They ripple right into our trails, public lands, and our community. This is not about politics. It is about people, places, and the public lands we all share. Trails do not have
Mel Morone has been a Trail Ambassador with VVMTA for two summers. Hailing from the great state of Maryland, she found herself drawn to the wide open spaces of Colorado after she graduated from Penn State University. In her free time, Mel enjoys a good hike —no matter the season—and loves to share her passion
July was a vibrant and action-packed month for our Trail Ambassador (TA) team. Across Eagle County’s most scenic and popular trails, our dedicated volunteers and staff logged countless miles, made invaluable visitor connections, removed trash, observed trail conditions, and reminded users about respectful wilderness use. Here’s a look at our Summer 2025 Stats: Trail Ambassador
Throughout June, our TAs logged countless hours greeting trail users at popular trailheads, singletrack junctions, and scenic overlooks. Early in the month, ambassadors focused on staffing closed trailheads, helping to educate the community about seasonal wildlife closures and why they matter. When the trail closures ended on June 21st, our TAs seamlessly transitioned back onto
Helping you enjoy the outdoors responsibly Returning VVMTA staff, Emily Carney and Melanie Morone, have been working for the last month to help support enforcement of seasonal trail closures at trailheads. They’ve been working throughout our county to help educate users, manage our game cameras, and play a critical role in promoting the safety, enjoyment,
