Lora Smith, Executive Director

Over the past month, the quiet mountain home in which Graham and I normally reside has been a carousel of guests and activity. Between changing bedsheets, party prep and airport runs, our family and friends have swirled in and out through a revolving front door. They’ve enjoyed our vibrant town, sunny, cool climate and that special kick-back way of life. Everywhere our visitors have ventured, they’ve felt welcome. Those from metropolitan areas especially, marvel at how the trails and open space are more than just a resource for adventure and exercise, they are a reflection of our generous culture. “People are so friendly on your trails!” has been frequent music to my ears this summer.

The other day at the Park City Chamber’s annual board meeting, the Myles Rademan Spirit of Hospitality Award was conferred upon yet another deserving soul. Myles joked with the crowd and as, “sometimes hospitality is making guests feel at home while wishing they were” rolled from his lips, an uproar of laughter from the crowd was proof those words ring true. It was a reminder that Utahns do a superb job of threading that needle – we welcome the world to our doorsteps and share our outdoor resources, while simultaneously holding space for an authentic locals’ vibe. 

I’ll probably get a few emails after this message publishes from folks complaining about how visitors crowd the trails and we should slam the door shut. However, while I promise to consider constructive feedback, and personally acknowledge how challenging it can be to remain gracious at all times, I also note that every time my family and friends hit the trails this summer, they’ve returned with feedback about how polite people are out there. Now, admittedly, the reason they have such great trail experiences could be that they’ve chosen trails less traveled. . . easy to do when you’ve got 400 miles to choose from . . . and it could also be that the vibe one puts out there is what usually gets returned. Exude kindness and that’s what gets returned. Expect to be amazed and you probably will be. 

With Labor Day in the rearview mirror and the summer buzz fading, we here at MTF praise and thank Park City’s summer trail users who, by vast majority, have graciously shared outdoor resources and treated one another with courtesy – and a smile. This our Utah culture!

See you out there,

Lora Anthony

It’s Monday afternoon and about two hours from now, I will sign documents securing a permanent home for Mountain Trails Foundation. As I settle into the relief that this quest for a home has come to an end, there is a deep satisfaction resting upon my mind. Like long-watchful guardians observing their charge as it fledges to its greatest self, a group of quiet but influential trail supporters will be celebrating. It has been a long journey, but not a lonely journey, to this place where we as a community will permanently shelter MTF as it carries out its mission to build, maintain and protect trails for future generations.

Looking back over the 11 years I have been involved, it is with gratitude that I note MTF has been stewarded by some of the most dedicated, innovative and forward-thinking leaders around. MTF’s Articles of Incorporation were signed on September 30, 1993 by Jan Wilking, Tim Henney, Tom Clyde, Des Barker, Jennifer Harrington, Mark Menlove and Wendy Fisher. I am only the fourth executive director, following Troy Duffin, Carol Potter and Charlie Sturgis. Our board members have always included an impressive cast of characters and great thinkers. From donors, to athletes, to shop owners, politicians, attorneys and accountants, this organization has been guided by those who, most of all, are/were dedicated to the mission. And, when it comes to a leader who can be pointed to as the driver of this quest for MTF’s permanent home, Tom Peek has all ten of my fingers aimed right at him. Thank you THANK YOU, Tom, for never letting go of the vision!

MTF is preparing to celebrate its 30th anniversary as an organization chartered in the State of Utah, and like most 30-year-olds, its long line of custodians are glad to see its couch-surfing days come to an end. 

Here’s to the next 30 years of trails, leadership and adventure! 

“Nope,” I’d have nonchalantly shrugged – that is, until recently when I was invited to the Oakley Rodeo over Independence Day weekend. As a dyed in the wool trail running/mountain biking enthusiast, never in a million years would I have guessed Rodeo to be such an inspiring experience. Was it the sweet fusion of funnel cake, livestock and adrenaline? Was it lithe cowboys/gals in fitted denim, well-worn kickers and cattlemans? Or, perhaps, the fact that athletes (yes, cowboys/gals are athletes in their own right) from all over the United States came to a little town on the Wasatch Back to compete for their slice of the considerable prize-money pie? No. 

What stuck hardest, and still resonates down deep, was a glimpse into a culture that honors some of humanity’s most noble virtues. Especially in that moment when the stadium packed with people representing many walks of life stood still and silent, but for a lone cowgirl’s sweet voice rising above the dust. Hats were removed, children hushed, right hands covered hearts and, as the trumpet sounded oh-oh say can you see, the chaotic buzz of Rodeo dimmed to a calm, powerful moment of reverence and unity.

In those moments while America’s national anthem floated on cool mountain air to the hearts of an audience 6,000 strong, skin color, nationality, economic status, and the myriad ‘us vs. them’ platforms upon which today’s media stands screaming that We the People are divided, were a distant, false flicker fading to the bonfire of patriotism and goodwill illuminating the stadium. 

Slowly glancing around, wondering if this profound testament of human spirit was just an imagination, the answer resounded clearly: I stood among – no, I stood with and for – my neighbors. . . in the land of the free and the home of the brave. 

God bless and happy birthday America!

Heritage Meets the Dirt

Last Saturday was National Trails Day. The MTF crew and I met with 54 eager, gloved and sunscreened volunteers. Each with a tool in hand, we walked to the work site, chatting along the way. At 53, I was by far an elder in the group so naturally fell into conversation with others of the older guard. Among those were a few of my favorites and some of the original pirate trail builders. Nick Calas, Dennis McCormick, Craig Williams and Greg Libecci told stories of the ol’ days of mountain bike racing and trail building, before MTF was even a twinkle in Jan Wilking’s eye.

Stories about trail legends Rich Perrier, as in Perrier’s Pass, Cyndi Schwandt honored by CynCity, John Gunthier as in John’s Trail and Sam Wolfe of, you guessed it, Sam’s Trail, were recounted among others. Laughter resounded and a few hushed moments ticked by as we walked on silently remembering those who’ve already passed.

Who knows how embellished the stories have become over the decades – or what has already been lost. The way I figure, the stories that survive are only growing better with age – like the people telling them. These are the stories that add rich color to the fabric of our local culture. They are the oral traditions of the Trail Tribe.

That day, as I dug along, listening to the youthful banter of high school mountain bike kids, I pondered the importance and impacts of the old guard. The wisdom they harbor and the perspective they lend. They were/are the men and women who planted the seeds that became Park City’s trail culture. These trail pioneers left, and continue to leave, an impact on our trails, our hearts and our heritage. 

Thirty years from now, I hope trail users of the future will look back upon the work being done today by MTF’s trail crew and volunteers and hold for them a heart-felt appreciation – and a few good stories!

Thanks to everybody who shows up in support of trails. 

See you out there,

Lora Smith, Executive Director

Spring is here. It’s a time for growth and reckoning. While our state, the second driest in the Union, is temporarily grappling with the watery consequences of natural hydrologic processes, we here at Mountain Trails are contending with a different sort of flood.

Around the first of the year, we blew past budget projections for winter grooming. Now it’s May (what!?) and, as we’ve just barely put the grooming equipment away, I had a chance to run final numbers on our hard costs for this past season. As QuickBooks spun, processing the winter grooming expense report, I braced with squinted eyes and clenched jaw. Then, pulling up my big girl pants, I drew a ragged breath, forced an eye open and saw numbers I never, in 10 years at MTF, imagined I’d see. We are about $80,000 over budget for winter grooming. Gulp.

Every cloud has a silver lining and ours is this: like the water that is filling Utah’s reservoirs and aquifers, MTF has had a flood of support this season. Wonderfully generous donors filled our reservoir, and because of this, Mountain Trails is in the fortunate financial position to cover the excess. It won’t be comfortable, but it is doable.

So, on behalf of the many thousands of people who enjoyed Park City’s groomed trails this past season, I offer the most sincere thanks to the 531 people who donated since winter began last November. THANKS to each of you for being a raindrop in the flood of support that keeps MTF’s hard-working crew paid, machinery running, and our world class trails in tip top shape. We couldn’t do what we do, year round, without support from people like you.