As snow gives way to May flowers, sunshine and longer days, the trail community is gearing up for the season — and while recent rains may have paused the action on the ground, the spirit of connection is in full swing at their Mountain Trails Foundation’s Annual Regional Trail Mixer.
On Wednesday evening from 5 to 8 p.m. at Park City Mountain’s Legacy Lodge, the foundation offers the chance to meet with 18 trails organizations in the area to learn more about trail building and maintenance.
The mixer aims to blend social fun with hands-on learning — think fifth-grade science fair, but for trail lovers who geek out over switchbacks and soil conditions.
“People set up their table, and folks wander around learning about the experiments that we’re all looking to enjoy in the upcoming season,” said Ian Hartley, Mountain Trails Foundation resource manager.
The event kicks off the trail season by giving recreationists an inside look at the hard work, challenges and realities of trail maintenance throughout the spring and summer before they hit the trails themselves. With a wide range of groups participating, from climbing organizations to conservation nonprofits, the mixer fosters valuable opportunities for learning, collaboration and cross-institutional support, allowing everyone to share insights and strengthen the collective effort to improve and preserve our outdoor spaces, said Hartley.
“Having organizations like the National Ability Center there, for example, is really helpful because the NAC brings out their athletes and equipment, and they might then talk to Deer Valley patrollers about how their equipment interacts with the lift facilities and beyond. They can network and learn that way,” said Hartley.
With this ecosystem of shared knowledge and perspective, the mixer opens the space for understanding that lays the groundwork for trails that can last a lifetime when everyone works together to help maintain and create respected spaces for recreation.
“It’s just like-minded people hanging out and finding the common ground that is trail and exploring the benefits that we can all work together to provide to the public,” said Hartley.
Though everyone tries their best to put out the most essential and interesting information about their trail work, it is a challenge to cover everything that makes trails run, said Hartley. But at the end of the day, the mixer is about inspiring people to learn more and get outside together.
Thanks to an early snowmelt and a stretch of warm weather, trail conditions have been perfect for getting the season underway. However, the recent rain and mud serve as an important reminder of why it’s essential for users to stay informed and respectful of trail conditions.
“We’ve been getting a lot of work in when there’s moisture in the soil and have had a great start to the season. With more variable conditions and the rain we’ve seen more recently, that can also affect conditions,” said Hartley. “What helps us is if people stay off the trails when they’re muddy so we don’t have to redo the work we have already done.”
The 2025 season holds much excitement for the foundation as they gear up to complete the connection between the WOW trail and Bonanza Flat Loop this year.
“It’s just a really unique project and goes through so many unique zones at a high elevation, and I think it’s going to be unlike anything on the Wasatch Back as far as trails go,” said Rick Fournier, field manager.
With the largest summer trail crew the foundation has ever had this season, and major projects on the horizon, the foundation’s mixer is set to kick off another exciting year. The event is free and open to the public, though a suggested $10 donation per person will help cover costs and support the foundation’s ongoing efforts.