September has wrapped the trails in gold, with aspen leaves shimmering and crisp mountain air adding extra magic to every mile. Volunteers have been out embracing the season—digging, clearing, and giving back while surrounded by the colors of fall. Here’s to celebrating everything we’ve accomplished together so far this season: Number of Volunteer Events: 115

By: Melanie Morone Meet Mel: Mel 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

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

As the seasons shift and the air turns crisp, Soul Dirt is still rolling strong! While summer may be behind us, our community hasn’t slowed down, instead we’ve traded long sunny evenings for cool mornings, colorful leaves, and weekend rides that fit into the school-year rhythm. This fall has been full of incredible dirt and even

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