Lora Anthony, Executive Director

Message from the Director

Here we are. It’s the second week in January and it feels as though winter is just barely getting started. With storms arriving this week, I can hear the collective sigh of relief as natural water systems replenish, the winter economy rebounds, and we’ll finally get full access to local trails for some good ol’ fashioned winter fun.

Up to this point in the winter, the only game in town has been in Bonanza Flat. Recognizing the public’s great desire for a winter playground, several organizations rallied their respective troops, money and effort to make Bonanza Flat accessible. Let’s applause the organizations and people – because it always takes great people – who have kept Bonanza Flat trails running so far this winter:

Park City Municipal, Trails & Open Space Department’s trail rangers, Hannah Halstead, Billy Kurek, Joe Sipe and Ethan Peterson, and their office compadres, Logan Jones and Heinrich Deters. Coordinating a shuttle company, lining up approvals, paperwork, etc., this group buckled down and figured out how to extend the Transit to Trails program until Round Valley is ready to groom.   

Utah Open Lands for its support of the Transit to Trails program.  Without UOL’s financial support through a generous, anonymous donor, and a grant from the Central Wasatch Commission, the shuttles to snow wouldn’t have been possible.

And finally, Mountain Trails Foundation’s very own grooming crew, Sean Ward, Alec Johnson, Matt Jones, Seth Angevine and Rick Fournier. Without their crack-of-dawn efforts, the trails at 9000’ would not exist. If you have been up to elevation before the sun rises, then you know what grit is – the grooming crew is about as gritty as they come. 

As we move into what is hopefully a more robust stream of winter storms in the remaining few months of winter, I hope you’ll keep front of mind the privilege it is to have winter trails. They exist because a whole bunch of people think they are a good idea – and then get to work making them happen!

See you out there,

Lora Anthony, Executive Director

Mountain Trails Foundation had its 30^th anniversary as an officially chartered organization on September 30^th. Conveniently that was a Saturday in 2023, so a good excuse to celebrate. Laughter and nostalgia filled MTF’s garage as some of Park City’s trail legends shared origin stories of Park City’s trail system. Some taller than others, perhaps, these tales told of landowners, guns, pirate builders and shovels. And, it was from those very seeds of contention that Mountain Trails Foundation grew.   

I don’t regularly suffer from imposter syndrome relative to my position as MTF’s fourth executive director, but humility was quick before a garage full of people, young and old, whose collective histories with Park City’s trails now paint a picture of unity and love of the outdoors.

Like any normal 30-year-old, Mountain Trails Foundation has suffered its bumps and grinds. We’ve dreamed naïve dreams and stumbled through disappointment. Relationships with partners have grown strong, morphed or disappeared. MTF has lived in the garages and spare bedrooms, relocated more times than any of us can count, and finally scraped together enough to become a homeowner. All the while, MTF has lived in a Village that cared, invested and rejoiced in its growth.

Now, three decades later, that Village numbers in the thousands. Members who support our mission to build, maintain and protect trails for non-motorized recreation are part of the legacy – and simultaneously ensure that trails have a future in society.

See you out there,

Lora Anthony, 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