SMT 2018 Accomplishments, 2019 Plans, and Thanks!

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First and foremost, Salida Mountain Trails wants to thank all of our volunteers, members, business sponsors, and partners who have contributed to our trail building, trail maintenance, and fundraising efforts throughout 2018!  We’ve had awesome support from the community and have accomplished a great deal!

Our big news is that we have new trails to build in 2019!  As detailed below, we need your ongoing support.   IDEA:  If you are looking for an end of the year worthy donation cause – we can make it really easy now or anytime during the coming year! We can take your donations online at: www.salidamountaintrails.org/make-a-donation/

Also, we continue to need/want your involvement, so think about getting more involved in 2019.  Many ways to contribute.  Contact us at salidamountaintrails@gmail.com

SMT 2018 Accomplishments

  • Spartan East and West Trails – We funded, designed, and constructed these 2 trails that provide great new looping options on the Methodist Mountain System.
  • Lower Rusty Lung Trail – We funded, designed and constructed this new trail to extend the existing Rusty Lung Trail down from Spiral Drive to connect with the Pepper Trails.
  • Trail Maintenance – We held monthly ShinDig trail work days and contributed a total of over 1200 volunteer hours to maintain many of our existing trails.

 

SMT 2019 Plans

  • In the spring, we will begin work to construct 3 new trail segments on the Methodist Mountain Trail system.  These trails will provide great new looping options as well as connectivity to the Rainbow Trail and closer connection to in-town Salida near the Vandaveer property.

Funding

  • Grant – In November, SMT was awarded a major grant that will fund 3 new trail segments and more on the Methodist Mountain Trail system!
  • Membership Program — Our 5th annual membership party at the Boathouse Cantina Restaurant in May was an overwhelming success. We have around 200 individual and business members for 2018, and via membership dues and auction items we raised over $20,000!
  • Boathouse 1% Program – The Boathouse Cantina continued this year a voluntary one-percent donation program to benefit SMT’s trail construction efforts. In 2018 alone, this program provided over $20,000!  This has allowed us to contract professional trail building services that would not otherwise have been possible. Thanks to Ray Kitson and his staff, and please show your thanks by frequenting the Boathouse!
  • Salida Mountain Sports – Salida Mountain Sports began in April including SMT for a portion of their 1% program and which has provided $6,200! Thanks to Diana and Nate Porter and their staff!
  • The Run Through Time Marathon – held in March dedicated proceeds from that race to SMT totaling $6,000! Thanks to race director Kristi Falcon who has continued the tradition of providing proceeds to SMT.
  • While all of the above sounds like a lot of money, we continue to need to raise funds.  We have some exciting future plans and as always, we need your continued and ongoing financial support.  Our goal is to contract experienced, professional trail builders to build our new trails, which average $5 a linear foot, or $26,400 per mile which quickly mounts up!

Again, thanks everyone, and Happy Trails in 2019!
SMT