Mountain Trails

Mountain Trails Foundation

We build, maintain and protect Park City, Utah's trails

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THANK YOU for your Live PC Give PC donations!

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Thank you for contributing to our largest fundraiser!

Today, over 400 continuous miles of non-motorized trails now exist in Park City that connect you to mountain meadows, sagebrush covered hills, aspen groves, coniferous forests, and viewsheds that are unparalleled. 

If you like to hike, bike, and ski in Park City, please show your love for open space and trails this Live PC Give PC. We hope that when you give to Mountain Trails Foundation on November 4th, you will also give to Summit Land Conservancy: Because trails and land go hand in hand!

It doesn’t matter how much you give during Live PC Give PC, it matters THAT you give. All it takes is $5 to join the fun November 4th (or before!), and help us save the trails and lands that make Park City special!

DONATE NOW

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Livepcgivepc.org is a one-day virtual event that encourages all of Summit County, Utah to contribute to benefit our nonprofit organizations through a single online giving platform. It is uniquely Park City. The campaign is primarily coordinated by The Park City Foundation (PCF), Summit County’s community foundation, in partnership will area nonprofit organizations.

Live PC Give PC is now open for donations and go through November 4th, 2022.

MEET MORE OF THE TEAM

Meet the Team

We are passionate about the Park City Trail System.

Lora Smith

Lora@MountainTrails.org
Executive Director

Ian Hartley

ian@MountainTrails.org
Executive Assistant
435-655-5853

Ginger Wicks

Ginger@MountainTrails.org
Accounting

Rick Fournier

Rick@MountainTrails.org
Field Manager

2022 Trail Crew

The Eightfold Path As Trail Strategy

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Lora Smith, Executive Director
Mountain Trails Foundation

Several weeks ago, I attended one of the more interesting meetings of the year. It was hosted by the Outdoor Adventure Commission, the Division of Outdoor Recreation, and the Institute of Outdoor Recreation & Tourism at Utah State University. The meeting gathered an array of 31 outdoor recreation stakeholders, Mountain Trails Foundation included, for the purpose of outlining The Utah Outdoor Recreation Strategic Plan. There, posted across walls and giant picture windows, were oversized maps of Utah’s mountain-lands region, illustrating an impressive inventory of recreational assets. In addition to assets, attendees and maps, what was also impressive were the vast areas of undeveloped, and undevelopable, land in this region. While population density increases, stressing precious resources, rest assured there will always be outdoor spaces for recreation in Utah.

A quote from the movie High Country, featuring a beloved local leader, Myles Rademan, about the evolution of Crested Butte’s growth rang true. “Progress isn’t always fitted with brakes or steering.” However, in the name of protecting Utah’s outdoor recreation assets, the above-listed organizations are taking conscious steps to add brakes and steering to progress.  

As we look toward a future population that, whether we like it or not, is growing, we can dig in our heels, pump fists of indignation and resist with all our might the changes that will, regardless of our disdain, still come because our children and others need places to live. Or, with intelligence, we can cast our vision up the road to foresee and capture opportunities to mitigate impacts, craft solutions and create harmony in our beloved communities.

By no stretch of imagination do I claim to be an expert on Buddhism, but I know wisdom when I see it. So as we cast the long view on what Utah’s recreation experience will be in 10 years, perhaps the Noble Eightfold Path of Right Understanding, Right Intention, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration is the Right Place to Start – I am confident we’re on the Right Path. 

Hope to see you out there!

MEET MORE OF THE TEAM

Meet the Team

We are passionate about the Park City Trail System.

Lora Smith

Lora@MountainTrails.org
Executive Director

Ian Hartley

ian@MountainTrails.org
Executive Assistant
435-655-5853

Ginger Wicks

Ginger@MountainTrails.org
Accounting

Rick Fournier

Rick@MountainTrails.org
Field Manager

2022 Trail Crew

THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME

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Sunset on the home front. It’s good to be back!

Travel is wonderful and practically everyone I know is doing it. Whether to other countries or neighboring states, travelers are once again on the move, expanding horizons – and spirits. Our freedom to roam the earth was for a time curtailed and now, with global borders flung wide open, wanderlust seems to be the new contagion. A reclaimed freedom to move has fevered humanity’s primal desire to explore the planet. And in this freedom, we see that we are more alike than we are different.    

But, for all the wonders of the world – its vibrant cultures, ancient cities, majestic mountains and sparkling seas – perhaps the very best thing about travel is. . . returning home. After more than two weeks traipsing Europe, arriving on US turf at JFK swelled my heart with an astonishing degree of patriotism. I mean, I’ve always loved my country and all – and I especially love my home in the Wasatch mountains – but this was next level. It’s not the first time I’ve traveled out of country and returned, glad to be home. But this time, gratitude filled every corner of my being for days that followed. After 22 hours of travel, arriving home to the bugling elk and cool, pine-scented air at 8000′, I laughed – then cried. Not from exhaustion (though I am willing to admit maybe that played a part), but from the pure joy of being Home. And it wasn’t just me, my partner and each of my four grown-men kids reported similar emotional experiences.

“What is different?” I mused while toppling into fitful jet-lagged slumber. Is it because, like barn-sour horses, we became so dangerously comfortable with  the home front during the past two and a half years that all we wanted was to be back? Or. . . maybe it’s just that that (political and societal drama aside), we are reminded that we live in one of the most magnificent places on this vast and fascinating planet. Either way, it’s good to be home. 

Hope to see you out there exploring the trails soon!

Pitch In Here for Tomorrow’s Trails

MEET MORE OF THE TEAM

Meet the Team

We are passionate about the Park City Trail System.

Lora Smith

Lora@MountainTrails.org
Executive Director

Ian Hartley

ian@MountainTrails.org
Executive Assistant
435-655-5853

Ginger Wicks

Ginger@MountainTrails.org
Accounting

Rick Fournier

Rick@MountainTrails.org
Field Manager

2022 Trail Crew

Work Trucks A Gift from Friends at Big-D Construction

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MTF’s Lora, Rick and Todd Henneman and Mike Kirby, CEO at Big-D.  All smiles on New Truck Day

For those of you who have seen us driving from trailhead to trailhead, you’ve probably noticed your donations aren’t going towards the latest vehicles. Our ’98 Toyota is a great example, providing 24 years of hard service and not winning any beauty contests.

With that context, it’s easy to imagine our excitement when Big-D donated two new-used trucks from their fleet to serve our mission. Thanks to their generosity, the money and time that would have gone into sourcing trucks will now go directly towards building, maintaining and protecting the trails we love! 

Support from local business is essential to our mission. If you want to discuss how your business can help trails, please email ian@ianmountaintrails-org

Thanks Again Big-D!

Give a Truck! Click Here to Support Trail Maintenance

MEET MORE OF THE TEAM

Meet the Team

We are passionate about the Park City Trail System.

Lora Smith

Lora@MountainTrails.org
Executive Director

Ian Hartley

ian@MountainTrails.org
Executive Assistant
435-655-5853

Ginger Wicks

Ginger@MountainTrails.org
Accounting

Rick Fournier

Rick@MountainTrails.org
Field Manager

2022 Trail Crew

Tour Des Suds 2022

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Sunday, September 11th

Spots are filling up fast for this legendary community event and you don’t want to miss out on the fun. The Tour des Suds SELLS OUT every year so register now to guarantee your custom TDS socks, post-ride lunch, awards/prizes (for race and best costumes) and yes, tasty suds (21+ w/ID) presented by Level Crossing Brewing Co and our newest event sponsor, The YARD 

Online registration closes September 7th. 

Register for Tour Des Suds Today

MEET MORE OF THE TEAM

Meet the Team

We are passionate about the Park City Trail System.

Lora Smith

Lora@MountainTrails.org
Executive Director

Ian Hartley

ian@MountainTrails.org
Executive Assistant
435-655-5853

Ginger Wicks

Ginger@MountainTrails.org
Accounting

Rick Fournier

Rick@MountainTrails.org
Field Manager

2022 Trail Crew

2022 Trail Maps – Available Now!

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We are happy to report that 2022 Trail maps have arrived. Congratulations to our photo contest winners, Wyatt Shane and Britta Trepp!

These maps are the most durable to date, printed on waterproof and tear resistant material to withstand the rigors of your next adventure. Like last year, there are two separate maps. One map features the Old Town area and a large overview of the entire trail system. The other, shows detailed views of Round Valley, Skyridge and Snyderville Basin Trail areas including Summit Park and Glenwild. 

Whether it’s for your personal use or given as a gift every map purchase goes to support the trails you love. Available now through our website and select local retailers, get yours today.

GET YOUR TRAIL MAP

MEET MORE OF THE TEAM

Meet the Team

We are passionate about the Park City Trail System.

Lora Smith

Lora@MountainTrails.org
Executive Director

Ian Hartley

ian@MountainTrails.org
Executive Assistant
435-655-5853

Ginger Wicks

Ginger@MountainTrails.org
Accounting

Rick Fournier

Rick@MountainTrails.org
Field Manager

2022 Trail Crew