Did you know that in 1996 the Tennessee Pass rail line was oh so close to turning into a 178 mile trail?  Yes, you read that right and if you are like us, the opportunity is simply mind blowing.  Behind closed doors, we have been reviving this concept which could be an incredible recreation asset

It’s the most wonderful time of the year.  No, not the 1963 Andy Williams Christmas jingle.  It’s fall in Colorado and the aspens are putting on quite the show!  The turning of the aspens in fall is one of nature’s most awe-inspiring events that we are fortunate to have a front row seat to enjoy. 

We have Cyndi Lauper to thank for bangers like “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” and “Time After Time.” We also have Cyndi to thank for giving us a last name that would provide many-a-puns to be immortalized by our Adopt A Trail volunteers. There is “Cyndi Loppers,” “I am going to Cyndi Lopper the heck

In a today’s go-go-go world where the likes, shares and clicks of our fingertip-tech lives dominate, there is something truly special about the untouched beauty of the wilderness and the unplugged solitude it can provide. The Wilderness Act of 1964 was signed into law 60 years ago this month, marking a monumental step in preserving

Just like the monarch butterflies, or the humpback whales the Trail Conservation Crew takes part in a great migration. In the springtime when the weather is cool, the TCC focuses their efforts in the high desert of Eagle. As the temperatures in Eagle rise to levels that would make the devil himself uncomfortable, the crew

September 3rd marks the 60th anniversary of the Wilderness Act.  President Lyndon B. Johnson signed it into law in 1964.  In Eagle County, we are fortunate to have three designated Wilderness areas in Eagles Nest Wilderness, Holy Cross Wilderness, and the Flat Tops Wilderness.  These three areas were designated Wilderness areas in 1976, 1980, and

We are again humbled by the overwhelming support of our local community. The success of this event makes it clear…you love our trails! The $120,000 raised goes directly to programs and projects that support our mission to connect our community to the trails. And most importantly, it helps ensure that the trails are there for

In our last newsletter, our “Featured Trail Feature” was drainage. In the vein of drains, we turn our attention to a trail feature that can be dry or treacherous depending on the season: water crossings. There are areas where naturally occurring springs or creeks may run parallel to the trail or across. Water becomes increasingly

Imagine: It’s a Saturday morning in Vail and you’ve rallied your friends for an EPIC few days of backpacking. The coffee is kicking in, the birds are chirping, and you feel more prepared to spend two nights under the stars than you did for the SAT your senior year of high school. When you get

As we hit the halfway mark of the 2024 Soul Dirt season, it seems like the perfect time to reflect on the moments of connection, accomplishment and joy experienced by program participants this summer. At the heart of Soul Dirt is the firm belief that when people can safely access the outdoors, they are able

Read the original article in the Vail Daily Here A proposed extension to the EagleVail Trail that would complete a dirt trail linkage between Avon and Minturn is currently under U.S. Forest Service review. Despite approval from Avon and EagleVail leadership, some nearby homeowners still hope the trail extension does not come to fruition. The

I was recently asked why trails matter.  My gut response was, “well, that’s a loaded question! How long do you have?”  While reflecting on that question, ultimately, my answer boiled down to “it depends.” I recently embarked on a rather challenging and long trail run in our beloved backyard Eagle’s Nest Wilderness.  During my trail

Launched in 2022 Soul Dirt is the VVMTA’s program to encourage sustainable, accessible recreation for the health of everyone in our community. Through trail based experiences we provide an opportunity for our community to connect while strengthening its stewardship of our trails and public lands. Trails are for everyone. More than a catchphrase it’s a

Trails are the literal and figurative ground upon which we built VVMTA. We have designed, created, and maintained trails in Eagle County since 2011, and we consider ourselves humble experts in this arena. Every decision we make weighs the needs of the land and our community and aims to encourage more people to get out

Volunteering is an excellent way to understand VVMTA and fully experience our values of community, action, relationships, education, and stewardship. Each year, hundreds of volunteers contribute thousands of hours of maintenance, education, and stewardship, the importance of which continues to increase as demand for trails rises. Our volunteers are already working hard to take care

In a world where the pressures of daily life can often feel overwhelming, finding solace in outdoor activities can be a transformative experience. Whether it is hiking, biking or running, trail use has emerged as a powerful tool for improving mental health and overall well-being. Through conversations with Soul Dirt participants who found healing and

Summer seems to finally arrived here in the Eagle River Valley!  Trails are slowly “opening up” as the melt and runoff ramps up.  First, a quick reminder that many seasonal trail closures are still in effect through June 20th for elk and deer calving.  Please continue to respect these closures. We have two main resources

Volunteering is an excellent way to understand VVMTA and fully experience our values of community, action, relationships, education, and stewardship. Each year, hundreds of volunteers contribute thousands of hours of maintenance, education, and stewardship, the importance of which continues to increase as demand for trails rises. Our volunteers are already working hard to take care