Mountain Trails

Mountain Trails Foundation

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

Trail News

Trail Crew Profile: Nick Herrman

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Nick Herrman

Nick has been a mainstay of the year-round trail crew and chances are you have ridden, hiked or skied over his hard work in the last four years. Beyond his role at MTF Nick is a very skilled rider and a soft-spoken individual who is always down for adventure.

I had the chance to chat with Nick about how he became involved with Mountain Trails and his experiences on the crew.

Q: How did you hear about Mountain Trails?

A: I was in the Recreation Management program at the University of New Hampshire at the time and my advisor there, Shaun McLachlan put me in touch with Heinrich Deters (Park City Municipal). From there I was introduced to Rick and connected to Mountain Trails. I remember talking to Rick over the phone from the lodge at Waterville Valley where I was working as a snowboard instructor. I took the job and started on the Crew in May of 2018.

Q: What is your favorite piece of equipment and why?

A: I always enjoyed chainsaw work but can’t say I have a favorite tool, each one has its own purpose.  I guess I had the most fun running the snowcat through Bonanza Flat this winter. It has been good using that and developing skills for operating other heavy equipment.

Q: If you had 2 hours to ride in Park City where would you go?

A: I’m not giving away any secrets, but I will say I’ve been spending a lot of time exploring the Cottonwoods and American Fork Canyon lately.

Q: What is your favorite to eat and drink after a long day working on trails?

A: The Boneyard, their HotBird sandwich is the best.

This summer is Nick’s last with Mountain Trails so I hope you will join us in wishing him all the best on his next adventure and be sure to show your gratitude to the crew when you see them out on the trails!

Interview by Ian

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

July Trail Report from Rick

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It’s hard to believe that June is already in the rearview mirror – a month that brought record heat early on and more recently, some welcome, hero-dirt-producing thunderstorms.  

We said so long to 4-year crew member and all-around great guy, Nick Herrman (see Trail Crew Profile).  He will be missed, and we wish him all the best! We also welcomed aboard our awesome new intern, Otis Milliken.  

The summer trail season is in full swing and here are just a few of the projects the team completed in June:   

  • Milky Way to SkyRidge Peak completed. Stats:  1.1 miles, 800 feet of elevation gain.  Currently and “out and back” only for bikes, multi-directional for hikers.    
  • Finished Phase 1 of the new “Lynx” trail, from the Park City Heights development up to Fox Tail/Skid Row.  Stats:  1 mile, directional, uphill only for bikes, multi-use.   
  • Collaborated with Park City Mountain on some base area fixes including a complete overhaul of the blown out, lower half-mile section of CMG.  Work is also underway on a new, directional flow trail that will bypass the base area operations for a super fun, bike-only, descent back to the First Time Lot.        
  • A sustainable, hand-built, reroute of the badly eroded access trail from Lake Lackawaxen up to the Clayton Peak Saddle.
  • After a summer of social distancing, we’re super stoked to be working side by side with volunteers once again this year.  To date, we’ve held 4 volunteer days, including hosting over 60 enthusiastic volunteers for National Trails Day.   

It’s summertime and the livin’s easy… 

Rick, Field Manager 

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

Rick’s Spring Trail Report

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Spring work is going on with joyful enthusiasm.  –John Muir

Spring is nature’s way of saying ‘Let’s party!’  –Robin Williams

Spring has always been synonymous with rebirth and new beginnings.  And that couldn’t be more true than during this post-pandemic spring of 2021.  Earlier this spring, we welcomed a new addition to the MTF family; Race Belieu Smith, son of our own Chase Smith and his better half, wife Colie. 

We also welcomed a new crew member, Alec Johnson, to the MTF team.  Alec brings with him 5 years of trail experience working for Mountain Bike the Tetons, in Driggs Idaho, and we’re stoked to have him on on-board.

We have an ambitious dirt agenda this season, one that includes 5 new trail projects in addition to our general maintenance program.  Each of these projects is unique and they are all “purpose-built”, meaning that they all serve a purpose. 

Chris “Vandy” Vanderlinde and crew are currently chipping away on the unique (and rocky) lunar landscape of SkyRidge Peak, on the northeast side of the Jordanelle Reservoir.  This continuation of the multi-use, Milky Way trail, will enable mountain bikers to ascend over 800 feet to the summit of the peak.  We will follow that up with a “bike-only” descent back down to the trailhead this fall or next spring.     

Just west of SkyRidge, Chase Smith and team are working on a new directional connection from Park City Heights up to the Fox Tail/Skid Row area.  This is phase 1 of a multi-year trails plan that will include a connection from the Woodchip Trail down to Skid Row as well as a downhill directional flow trail that will descend over 500 feet, back down to PC Heights.

Other projects on the dirt docket will include:

– A directional “uphill only for bikes” continuation of the Treasure Hill trail that will provide a new, moderate route up to the Mid Mountain trail from Old Town.

– A directional, downhill, flow trail that will connect the new 9K to Mid Mountain in the Black Forest area.

– The completion of the Bonanza loop; a 5+ mile long, directional, multi-use loop, that will be the first mountain bike-friendly trail in Bonanza Flat.     

We’re super-excited about each of these projects and confident that they will provide meaningful connections and create unique, smile-inducing experiences for trail users of all types. 

After a year of social distancing, we’re eager to once again engage the local community.  With that in mind, we’re looking at organizing a locals volunteer day the 3rd Thursday of each month.  This will likely be a post-work, ride/hike/run to the work site, dig and socialize for a few hours with our friends and neighbors, old and new.  Stay tuned for details…           

Have a great one out there!

Rick, Field Manager 

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

e-MTBs on Singletrack

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Park City’s Municipal Code

Park City Municipal Code prohibits e-bikes on singletrack trails. HOWEVER, there are exceptions – and all riders should know! E-MTB riders 65 years and older, and those with a mobility disability are legally allowed on singletrack.  For those who qualify, the City now offers a courtesy tag to help identify qualified e-bike riders. 

Check on TrailForks or keep your eyes peeled for QR codes directing e-MTB riders to e-bike friendly trails in the area. Click below to see what trails are e-bikeable in your neck of the woods.

Park City on Trailforks.com


e-MTBs on Singletrack

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