Mountain Trails Foundation

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

Support

Ambassador Spotlight: Nick Calas

by

We often laud our amazing community and point to our shared grassroots success in providing one of the best trail networks in the world. I hope you will join me in recognizing one individual who has offered his time in support for almost every volunteer event we’ve hosted, Nick Calas.

Nick moved to town before Mountain Trails Foundation existed, at a time when a dollar would buy you five beers during happy hour at the Alamo. Starting as a parking lot attendant at Park City Ski area, he worked his way up to “the best job on the mountain” working on the race crew when Park City hosted its first world cup in ’84-’85. Living in the Centennial building at the top of Main, he and his roommate split the $400 monthly rent – although he admits that utilities cost almost as much as rent and that the stained-glass windows didn’t provide much insulation.

Nick bought his first “real” mountain bike, a non-descript black frame from New Park Cyclery. It was a used bike previously owned by the proprietor, Tom Noaker. He worked with the “Underground Trail Company” to cut some of the first mountain bike trails in town, such as Masonic and Trappers Gate. They would leave tools on trails so everyone could take a turn cutting and digging.

Working for Park City Municipal for 32 years, Nick did everything from re-setting pins at the bowling alley (where O’Shucks is now) to managing various sports teams, tournaments and maintaining facilities at the MARC (formerly the Racquet Club).

Nick is always looking forward to the next trail adventure and is eagerly awaiting singletrack riding in Bonanza Flat. So far as sage advice, he asks that everyone wears a helmet when riding, “You don’t want to get a concussion and people don’t realize what can happen… it could happen between your house and the grocery store, PLEASE WEAR A HELMET!”

Like so many of our members and volunteers, Nick has a great Park City story and continues to invest himself in making a Park City (and its trails!) a better place for all of us. We hope that you will enjoy creating your own Park City history and take the time to reflect on those people, like Nick, who make this place special.

Be like Nick – Support Trail Maintenance!

MEET MORE OF THE TEAM

Meet the Team

We are passionate about the Park City Trail System.

Lora Anthony

Lora@MountainTrails.org
Executive Director

Rick Fournier

Rick@MountainTrails.org
Field Manager

Ginger Wicks

Ginger@MountainTrails.org
Bookkeepr

Ian Hartley

ian@MountainTrails.org
Resource Manager
435-655-5853

2022 Trail Crew

THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME

by

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 Anthony

Lora@MountainTrails.org
Executive Director

Rick Fournier

Rick@MountainTrails.org
Field Manager

Ginger Wicks

Ginger@MountainTrails.org
Bookkeepr

Ian Hartley

ian@MountainTrails.org
Resource Manager
435-655-5853

2022 Trail Crew

The Mother of All Trails

by

Three weeks ago, the MTF team completed our second major project of the summer, the Mother Urban trail. Named after a colorful character in Park City history, this new trail originates in the heart of Old Town, just off Lowell Avenue, gently ascending for nearly five miles and 1,200 feet before topping out on the Mid Mountain Trail just south of King Road.  

Bobbing and weaving its way up Treasure Hill, the trail passes under the Town Lift and brushes by the singletrack classics; Sweeny’s Switchbacks, South Sweeny’s and Gravedigger, followed by a long traverse, high above Daly Canyon.  It then switchbacks its way up a pine-covered ridge and crosses John’s ’99, before one last, aspen-gladded push to Mid Mountain.  Along the way you’ll pass iconic tramway towers, abandoned mine shafts and other relics – reminders of this region’s rich mining history.        

Designed to be directional uphill only for bikes, (multi-directional for foot traffic), the primary intent of the trail is to take pressure off two extremely popular climbs, Jenni’s trail and Armstrong, while also creating a unique user-experience and unparalleled views of Historic Old Town. The trail’s end point works seamlessly with Tommy’s Two Step providing a moderate, directional, climb from town all the way up to the popular yurt trail-hub at the top of the Crescent lift.  It also opens up multiple, new, loop options with nearby trails.    

This project was two years in the making and incredibly challenging from both a logistical and construction standpoint.  The team had to work around existing trails and private property within the Park City “spaghetti bowl” excavating through extremely steep and rocky terrain, particularly above the exposed Daly Canyon and the quartzite-covered, mine-riddled Treasure Hill. The finished product is the result of a true team effort, and the MTF crew did a stellar job from beginning to end.    

As with most projects of this scope, there were many moving pieces and numerous individuals working behind the scenes to help bring Mother Urban to fruition.  A big shout out to the Mother Urban Group, Park City Municipal, Andy Beerman, Pat Sweeny and Shaydar Edelman with Park City Mountain, to name just a few. It’s collaborations like these, that enable our organization to create great recreational opportunities. 

And lastly, I’d be remiss if I didn’t pay homage to Rachel “Mother” Urban.  She was ahead of her time as an entrepreneur and pioneer, at a time when women were often marginalized and afforded limited opportunities. I would like to think that she would be thrilled to have a trail named after her, and having caught a glimpse of her intriguing story, it’s arguably one worth memorializing.

Donate to Support Trails Today

MEET MORE OF THE TEAM

Meet the Team

We are passionate about the Park City Trail System.

Lora Anthony

Lora@MountainTrails.org
Executive Director

Rick Fournier

Rick@MountainTrails.org
Field Manager

Ginger Wicks

Ginger@MountainTrails.org
Bookkeepr

Ian Hartley

ian@MountainTrails.org
Resource Manager
435-655-5853

2022 Trail Crew

Bonanza Flat Volunteer Days – August 26th-27th 9am-1pm

by

*Volunteer Opportunity Alert* – Thursday August 18th 9am-1pm at Bonanza Flat Trailhead (https://goo.gl/maps/SJUtQqv1mVhnEJVH6).

We need YOUR help with restoration work in Bonanza Flat.

We will be working with City Government of Park City, Utah and Utah Open Lands to build buck & rail fence to protect the Tiger Salamander population in Lake Lackawaxen. The work will include the transportation of materials and the instillation of fencing.

Bring a friend (or two) and arrive on-time to catch a shuttle to the worksite. Don’t forget your work gloves, long pants, closed toe shoes, water, snacks, sun protection and an extra layer (just in case). 

Please RSVP to trails@parkcity.org

MEET MORE OF THE TEAM

Meet the Team

We are passionate about the Park City Trail System.

Lora Anthony

Lora@MountainTrails.org
Executive Director

Rick Fournier

Rick@MountainTrails.org
Field Manager

Ginger Wicks

Ginger@MountainTrails.org
Bookkeepr

Ian Hartley

ian@MountainTrails.org
Resource Manager
435-655-5853

2022 Trail Crew

Mountain Trails and Park City Mountain Support Trails on the Wasatch Back

by

Mountain Trails Foundation, as the Community Partner in collaboration with Park City Mountain through Vail‘s EpicPromise, is delighted to announce a joint venture to provide professional expertise and financial support to fellow nonprofit trails organizations, South Summit Trails Foundation (SSTF) in Kamas Valley and Wasatch Trails Foundation (WTF) in Heber Valley.

Leadership at Vail Resorts has expressed keen interest in investing in the communities where it does business and in supporting a high quality of life for its employees in the places they live and work. Heber City, UT and Kamas, UT are communities where many Park City Mountain Resort employees live and recreate. 

This partnership will allow Mountain Trails Foundation, in alliance with these volunteer trails organizations, to expand its mission to build, maintain and protect trails. These partnerships create a strong win for all entities and the communities they serve. The partnerships with SSTF and WTF leverage Mountain Trails’ 30 years of professional experience in the nonprofit and trail building/maintenance sectors, against the deep connections and understanding of local need that SSTF and WTF have in their respective communities.

As growth in outdoor recreation continues to trend rapidly upward, pressure is exacted upon popular trail systems such as Park City’s. One of Mountain Trails Foundation’s strategies for preserving Park City’s world renowned, 400-mile trail system and maintaining high-quality trail experiences is to disperse trail users and diversify local trail systems. By expanding and connecting trail systems where appropriate, and building use-specific and/or directional trails in the region, trails maintenance is more manageable, great outdoor experiences are fostered, and communities are bolstered.

Trail tourism brings economic stability. Proximity to trail systems increases property value. Immediate access to trails bears a strong correlation with community mental and physical well-being. Trails stimulate social connection and pride in community. It is for these reasons that Park City Mountain through Vail’s EpicPromise and Mountain Trails Foundation are interested in combining forces with SSTF and WTF.

This partnership will lead the future of trails, prosperity and community wellness along the Wasatch Back.

MEET MORE OF THE TEAM

Meet the Team

We are passionate about the Park City Trail System.

Lora Anthony

Lora@MountainTrails.org
Executive Director

Rick Fournier

Rick@MountainTrails.org
Field Manager

Ginger Wicks

Ginger@MountainTrails.org
Bookkeepr

Ian Hartley

ian@MountainTrails.org
Resource Manager
435-655-5853

2022 Trail Crew

Spirit of Collaboration

by

A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of informing two other nonprofit directors that, through its Community Partnership with Park City Mountain and Vail Resorts EpicPromise, MTF will be adding cash to their coffers. South Summit Trails Foundation (SSTF, Kamas Valley) and Wasatch Trails Foundation (WTF, Heber Valley) are small-ish nonprofits doing great work and, though their aspirations to improve trail access are admirable, their budgets are modest. Even as people in those communities rally and donate in support of down-the-street recreation, trail projects that greatly improve the quality of life in these communities are often stymied by lack of funding.

Depending on terrain and other factors, every mile of proposed trail demands an up front investment of $20,000+. Not including the cost of future maintenance, which in a changing/drying environment is increasingly important. Grant funding often covers only half the cost of a project. So, when you’re looking at, say, ten miles of trail . . . well, do the math. Small nonprofits have their hands tied.

Mountain Trails Foundation has a long history of experience and success in the fundraising, trail building arena. Thanks to visionary leaders, generous donors and unparalleled community support, we have the bandwidth to share. We are thrilled to step up, lend expertise where needed, financially invest in and collaborate with SSTF and WTF. As we unify efforts to improve quality of life on the Wasatch Back through responsible trail expansion and strategic connectivity, I pause to marvel at how the stars have aligned for this coalition. This opportunity expands MTF’s mission to build, maintain and protect trails and is one of the greatest honors we have ever enjoyed. 

Thank you Park City Mountain/Vail Resorts EpicPromise, South Summit Trails Foundation, Wasatch Trails Foundation and Trail Lovers like you!

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 Anthony

Lora@MountainTrails.org
Executive Director

Rick Fournier

Rick@MountainTrails.org
Field Manager

Ginger Wicks

Ginger@MountainTrails.org
Bookkeepr

Ian Hartley

ian@MountainTrails.org
Resource Manager
435-655-5853

2022 Trail Crew