Mountain Trails Foundation

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

Trail News

Transit to Trails

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Thanks to the efforts of our community partners, Transit To Trails is back for 2022. Starting July 1st and running through October 15th the free shuttle service is available to get to and from your favorite high elevation trailheads.

Let someone else do the driving as you offset the negative effects of traffic and parking. Reserving a ride is easy, just sure to show up at the 1376 Munchkin Rd parking area 5-10 minutes prior to departure. 

Bikes and dogs are welcome as are tips for your driver. Keep in mind that trash facilities are limited, so if you pack it in, pack it out.

LEARN MORE AND BOOK YOUR RIDE 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

Saving the World, One Trail at a Time – July Trail Report

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Photo Courtesy Dirt Coast Photography

I have a short quote at the bottom of my Mountain Trails email signature that reads:  “Saving the World, One Trail at a Time.” It was originally a scrapped t-shirt idea from several years back.  I envisioned Superman-looking logo on the chest with “MTF” replacing the “S”.  It was done completely tongue in cheek, and while I had no preconceived notions that trails could literally save the world, I found humor in its pretentiousness.         

Many moons ago, in the early days of the Round Valley Nordic program, I had an experience that left a lasting impression.  While grooming in the cat early one winter morning, a long-time local flagged me down, and said with a smile on his face; “I just want you to know that you are creating joy for many of us”.  I looked at him somewhat astonished, and kind of brushed it off at the time, but that comment has always stuck with me.    

During the Covid years, we realized just how important trails were for our mental and physical health.  They provided a means of escape and a little slice of normalcy during a time that was anything but normal.  Thousands of Covid expats moved to mountain towns across the west, including our own, many discovering the joy of trails for the first time. 

Trail development and the trail industry has exploded in the past few years.  There are now hundreds of trail contractors, trail non-profits like our own, along with local, state and federal agencies with a trail centric focus, and new trails systems are being developed nation-wide.  I guess you could say that a trail renaissance is under way.  

So, in revisiting my “saving the world” quote, while trails may not necessarily be saving our planet, they are most definitely making it a better place to coexist, despite our differences, and hopefully bringing a little joy to us all during these challenging times.

Have a great one out there! 

HELP US SAVE THE WORLD, ONE TRAIL AT A TIME

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

June Trail Report

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Get up!  Get on up

– James Brown

Each spring, for nearly 30 years running, the MTF trail crew has initiated the ritual of chasing the swiftly receding snowpack up the mountainside.  During this glacial retreat, there are hundreds of trees to clear, thick vegetation to cut back and dozens of signs to install.  We’ll also take advantage of precious moisture to perform some hand-work on blown-out bermed turns and washboard from last season’s adventures, as well as adding drainage features where needed.    

In addition to our general maintenance program, we have yet another ambitious dirt agenda this season, one that includes the completion of two major projects from last season, as well as four, brand-spanking-new projects.  Each of these dirt endeavors is unique in that they are all “purpose-built”, meaning that there is an underlying objective (or objectives) for each of these new trails.            

Out in the rolling high desert terrain of the City-owned Clark Ranch parcel, just east of highway 40, we’ve begun work on what will be a 4-5 mile long, multi-use, directional loop. While this trail will be open to all trails users, it is being designed with electric mountain bikes (eMTBs) in mind. There will be flow on the up as well as the down, with larger radius turns, open lines of sight and all bikes will be rolling safely in one direction. The project is being done collaboratively with Park City Municipal, which was awarded the Utah Outdoor Recreation Grant (UORG). 

Just a mile east of Clark Ranch as the crow flies, along the north end of the Jordanelle Reservoir, the Skyridge Development will be funding a new addition to their quickly growing trail system. We have contracted Singletrack Trails to build the Big Dipper: a 2-plus-mile, mountain bike only, downhill trail with nearly 1,000 feet of descent. This will complete a 6-mile loop when combined with the Milky Way trail built by MTF over the past two seasons. With its unique volcanic rock gardens and exposure, this flow trail will be unlike anything in Park City.

Lastly, on the early-season dirt docket will be the completion of the Big Easy trail, also funded by the UORG grant. With the addition of three miles of trail, we’ll complete a 5-mile loop that will circumnavigate the Round Valley open space. This new “artery” trail will provide endless loop opportunities with existing trails and will be easily accessible from four of the six Round Valley trailheads. In addition to dispersing use, this multi-faceted trail will be the only true “beginner” trail with several “bailout points” and a wider footprint that will also accommodate adaptive cyclists. In winter months, it will also transition into an amazing fat bike loop, enabling cyclists and other winter trail enthusiasts to completely bypass the wider, Nordic offerings.

If this isn’t enough to get your trail juices flowing, look for beta on some exciting upper elevation projects next month… 

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

Round Valley’s History

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When we think of the greater Park City trail network one area stands out in its versatility, ease of access and size. Round Valley is a 2,200 acre patchwork of open space made up of conservation, recreational and agricultural easements. These easements, owned by Park City and the Osguthorpe family are managed by land trusts, including the Summit Land Conservancy and Utah Open Lands, who oversee its care.

Yay for Public Trails! Donate to Celebrate

Before its purchase, much of Round Valley was farmland, divided by barbed wire fences, closed off to wildlife and public access. As these parcels came up for sale, they were slated for a variety of purposes including the development of “Valderone” a 690 acre, mixed-use golf course community with a commercial center, boutique hotel and 600 homes. Thanks to the Summit Land Conservancy, Park City Municipal and the support of the community, this area was purchased and protected so that “we”, the public, can enjoy open space and free access to recreational trails.

The next time you’re out on the trails take a moment to appreciate your access to the lands we love. Perhaps consider an alternate reality where Round Valley is a private golf courses, houses and hotels.

The future of trails depends on us, working together as a community to promote the greater good and to celebrate the private and public lands graciously provided for our benefit. 

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

Support Our Friends at South Summit Trails Foundation

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South Summit Trails Foundation has succeeded far beyond expectations in developing an outstanding eastern Summit County trail experience. Thanks to a partnership with the Kamas District Office of the U.S. Forest Service, SSTF has built one of the first mountain biking trail systems upon Forest Service land in the country! 

The Slate Creek MTB trail is located adjacent to the Mirror Lake Highway, just 6 miles east of Kamas in the Uinta mountains. This is a family-friendly mountain biking destination with a variety of terrain for varying skills. Utah Mountain Biking says of the trail, “This is the trail that riders have been begging for – a bike-specific ride in the Uintah Mountains along the Mirror Lake Highway. It’s more than worth doing. It’s a great ride!”

To further meet growing non-motorized recreational demands in eastern Summit County, SSTF is excited to announce an expansion plan that will add 10 additional miles of trail in the Slate Creek area.  This will include a 5-mile upper elevation loop as well as beginner and intermediate, bike only, “flow” lines.  With Forest Service guidance, SSTF intends to greatly enhance area non-motorized trail offerings.   

As you can imagine, these and other non-motorized trail projects require significant funding and volunteer help.  While SSTF has successfully raised a majority of the funding for this and other projects, this is a challenging time of rising costs.  Now, more than ever, SSTF needs your support. 

Please consider a generous donation to southsummittrails.org or contact us directly for more detailed information on SSTF projects and how you can get involved. 

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

Wasatch Trails Foundation Maple Grove Match Campaign 

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DONATE

We’re excited to continue our progress on the Maple Grove Trail, a crucial WOW Trail connection that will provide better access for emergency response and provide opportunities for future trails. We’ll be hosting a Dig Day on Saturday, May 14 (see below) to focus on corridor clearing. Bring your loppers, saws, snacks, water and come ready for a killer day in the mountains!

To get this project across the line we are hoping to raise $5,000 in matching funds. These funds will go directly to our Maple Grove project and will help us ensure the trail meets the standard our community demands. Please consider donating today if it is within your means. Every little bit helps and together we can do great things!”

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

Mountain Trails