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 Shifts: 70
- Notable Trails Covered this Month: Pitkin, Cougar Ridge, Nolan Lake, Lost Lake, North Trail, Lake Charles, Piney Lake, East Lake Creek, Grouse Lake, Cross Creek, Shrine Ridge, and Camp Hale
- Trail User Encounters: 1,003
- People from Eagle County: 520
- People Outside of Eagle County: 418
- 126 Dogs Off Leash; 135 Dogs On Leash
- Pounds of Trash Collected: 15.91
- Number of Pieces of Trash Collected: 1,500+ including wrappers, poop bags, cans, ziplocks, even a sandal and a pair of sunglasses!
Conversations On the Trail
Throughout July, Trail Ambassadors engaged with a wide variety of trail users — from seasoned locals to first-time backpackers — sharing information, listening to concerns, and sparking meaningful conversations about stewardship and trail etiquette:
- At Pitkin Creek, Ellen chatted with visitors from New York, Mexico, and Denver, sharing trail conditions and VVMTA materials. She remarked, “People like hearing about VVMTA! I handed out two brochures and two wag bags.”
- On the North Trail, Emily spoke with three young kids from Florida about respecting the wild and trail etiquette.
- At Brady and Sopris Lakes, conversations centered around wildlife, permits, and proper backcountry camping. Several groups expressed appreciation for reminders and thanked the ambassadors for being out there.
- At Cross Creek, Melanie had a long conversation with a family of four backpacking from Missouri. She also chatted with locals from Eagle and visitors from Austin, TX, discussing the importance of wilderness regulations and permit awareness.
- During a visit to Lake Charles, Emily shared VVMTA’s mission with a curious couple. She wrote, “We chatted about building sustainable trails. It was a great exchange!”
- At Grouse Lake, one ambassador noted that while most visitors were quiet or tired after their hike, many were curious about the Respect the Vail Valley campaign, prompting some meaningful discussions.
Trash, Stewardship, & Nature Wins
Despite varied trail usage, our team removed everything from dog food bags, glass, cigarette butts, and even construction debris. Ambassadors consistently modeled stewardship — one even found 40+ pieces of trash at the Grouse Lake trailhead in a single visit. They’ve collected over 1500 pieces of trash just this summer!
The Trail Ambassadors also had some incredible engagements with wildife and the beauty of nature.
- A moose sighting behind a porta-potty (yes, really!) kicked off Ellen’s day at Deluge Lake with excitement. She describes her day as 100% glorious and beautiful adding that wilderness trails are wonderful for everyone’s physical and mental health.
- Emily noted, “Flowers were on point! And I didn’t see a single person picking any — that was great!”
- Conversations about wildlife, flora, and backcountry respect made a lasting impact on young hikers and their families.
- A buck and doe were spotted peacefully on Lake Charles. Emily noted, “a good reminder why we keep dogs on leash!”
Make the promise: Respect the vail valley
While our Trail Ambassadors work hard to protect the places we love, everyone has a role to play. We invite you to join us by making Our Promise to Respect the Vail Valley. It’s a simple commitment to recreate responsibly, respect wildlife, and care for our trails and open spaces. Together, our actions add up to a big impact. Take a minute to Make the Promise here — and help keep the Vail Valley beautiful for generations to come.
In appreciation for your promise, you will be entered to win one of five (5) $100 gift cards to a local Vail restaurant. Winners will be announced on October 8th and notified by email.
Looking Ahead..
July reminded us that stewardship is an active, evolving relationship with the land and its users. From early morning moose sightings to off-leash dog chats, every moment our ambassadors spend outdoors helps build a more connected, informed, and respectful trail culture. Thank you to everyone who helped make July a success. Let’s keep that energy going into August!
Interested in becoming a volunteer? Contact Natalie at natalie@vvmta.org to learn more!
