As the golden leaves scatter across our valley and the last busy days of summer drift behind us, we find ourselves in that special in-between season. Fall is a time to pause, take a breath, and start looking ahead—not just to the quiet beauty of winter, but to the plans and possibilities that lie on the horizon. For us, that means the start of trail planning, project dreaming, and the most important step of all: fundraising.

This past Sunday, we gathered with many of our incredible supporters at CK’s Real Food for our annual Invest in Your Trails Fundraiser. The evening was filled with good food, great company, and a shared love for the trails that connect us to this valley. Together, our community raised an incredible $75,000, which then unlocked a generous $25,000 matching gift. That’s a total of $100,000 raised in one night—a powerful reminder of what happens when trail lovers come together.

But the story doesn’t end there. With $100,000 already secured, we’re setting our sights on the next big milestone: raising $200,000 by the end of the year. And this is where the wider community comes in. Whether you hike, bike, run, ski, or simply appreciate having these beautiful trails in your backyard, your support is vital to sustaining them. Every donation helps ensure that our trails remain well-maintained, safe, and accessible, while also fueling the creation of new routes for everyone to enjoy.

Fundraising isn’t just about numbers on a page—it’s about keeping the lifeblood of our trail system flowing. It’s about ensuring that families can take weekend walks together, that runners have soft dirt under their feet, that bikers can explore new singletrack, and that future generations inherit the same wild, beautiful spaces we cherish today.

We are so grateful to everyone who joined us on Sunday and to all who have already contributed to this year’s campaign. Now, we’re asking the rest of our community to help us rise to the challenge. With your support, we can meet our $200,000 goal and make 2026 a season of strong, sustainable trails.

So, as you trade in hiking boots for skis and start planning for the months ahead, we invite you to invest in something that lasts far beyond one season: your trails.