On September 27th, communities across the nation will recognize National Public Lands Day. Here in Eagle County, this day carries special meaning. Our community is surrounded by public lands that define who we are. The mountains, forests, rivers, and trails around us are moer than places on a map. They are our backyards, our classrooms,
August continues to bring trail magic, and thanks to some much-needed rain last week, the trails are looking better than ever! Huge shoutout to all our amazing volunteers who’ve been out digging, clearing, and spending time to give back to our community. From local teams adopting their favorite trails to youth groups jumping in to
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
If you rode, hiked, or ran here this summer, you probably felt the Trail Conservation Crew’s work under your feet. In June and July the Trail Conservation Crew focused on safer tread, better drainage, clear corridors, and a whole lot of teaching and mentoring. Here is what that looked like on the ground. Salt Creek:
The school year is upon us, and with it comes the first whispers of fall. Already some aspens are starting to show their yellow hue, the chill is more palpable in the morning air, and the wildlife sure are up to something! Nature is giving us the gentle reminder that summer’s long, adventure filled days
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
We are thrilled to share that thanks to your generosity, our Trails Forever fundraiser raised over $160,000 for the trails and community we love. Behind every great trail is a story of volunteers, partners, funders, and advocates, and this incredible achievement proves once again how powerful our community can be when we come together. These
Summer is in full swing, and thanks to the tireless efforts of our volunteers, July has been a month to remember on the trails! From digging new tread and clearing drains to mentoring the next generation of stewards, our community showed up in force to care for the places we all cherish. Whether it was
Read the column in the Vail Daily Here. When you step onto your favorite trail, climbing through an aspen grove, riding a winding singletrack, or hiking in an alpine meadow, it can feel as if that experience has always been there. Many trails have been established for decades, whether from old mining exploration or agricultural
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
Our volunteers have been out in full force this summer, and June was no exception! Thanks to the dedication, sweat, and positive energy of our incredible community, we’re making meaningful strides to protect and improve the Vail Valley’s trails and wild places. Here’s a look at what we accomplished together so far this summer: Number
Can you believe we’re already halfway through the season? Time flies when we’re out on the trails, moving and shaking, soaking up the sunshine (and yes, even the rain), and building community. This season has been packed with so many powerful moments—new friendships, first time riders finding their groove, seasoned adventurers pushing their limits, and plenty
First published in the Vail Daily here: https://www.vaildaily.com/opinion/vail-valley-mountain-trails-alliance-public-lands-bring-us-together/ As we welcome visitors to the Vail Valley this weekend and throughout the summer, we do so with a deep sense of gratitude for the incredible public lands that make this place so special. From the moment you step onto a trail, paddle on the river, or
Update 6/26 Thankfully, for now, our public lands are not going up for sale! However, there is still an ongoing effort to revise the public land sale proposal which would eliminate Forest Service land from being sold and focus on selling BLM lands within 5 miles of population centers. This still means that beloved public
As the snow melted and trails reopened, our incredible volunteer crews jumped into action this spring to restore and enhance some of our most beloved trails. From Eagle to Vail, each hour logged made a tangible impact on trail sustainability and user enjoyment. Here’s a look at what we’ve accomplished together: Volunteer Events: 23 Number
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,
The transformative power of nature is no secret. Outdoor recreation has been linked to improved mental and physical health, stronger social bonds, and a deeper connection to the natural world. But in the Vail Valley, these benefits are not equitably shared. Historically excluded groups—including BIPOC residents, the Hispanic community, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with
June is here and the wildlife are on the move from lower elevations to the melting out upper elevations of our valley. They are following the snow line as it gives way to food they can consume to gain back their strength after a long winter. When you think about it, they are not too
