Trails are for everyone. It’s not just a catchphrase, it’s a commitment. This year, Soul Dirt focused on bridging the nature gap by offering inclusive outdoor experiences. We believe that everyone deserves the chance to connect with nature, and as such, we work to address the inequity that the people with the least access to the outdoors often stand to benefit most. When people can safely access outdoor spaces in our community, they are able to experience the transformative power of nature—making them healthier in mind, body, and soul.
In 2024, 450 participants joined 40 hiking, mountain biking and backpacking events. Together with our friends from Campeones Del Sistema, Exploremos, Mountain Pride, Mountain Recreation, My Future Pathways and more, we saw higher levels of diverse engagement among trail users.
Of our participants, 46% identified as Hispanic and Latin@. We celebrated the joy of the outdoors with 40 LGBTQIA+ individuals and allies. Six members of the Hispanic community joined us for a Spanish-first overnight backpacking trip—a first for almost everyone. And with support from Epic Promise’s inclusive access program, almost 90 people were able to enjoy on-mountain adventures including hikes and downhill mountain biking.
2024 also saw the VVMTA’s first film festival, highlighting the diverse ways diverse people enjoy trails. Films focused on an adaptive cyclist and her refusal to let physical challenges hinder her love for adventure sports, a trans runner finding community and their freedom to be themselves, and a pastor searching for answers bikepacking the Colorado trail.
Lastly, this year we were awarded a grant to fund a new project, “Senderos Para Todos.” Co-created with the Hispanic and Latin@ community, this exciting new initiative will culminate in the development of Spanish-language outdoor guides and dual-language signage, along with the implementation of outdoor belonging programming to address the barriers many face when accessing the outdoors for a happier and healthier community.
Trails in their most literal format they exist to connect. They bring us together, and connect us to the outdoors where one can find peace through the restorative power of nature. In an increasingly isolated world, trail’s inherent ability to bring us closer together is needed now more than ever. As we look to 2025 the VVMTA is committed to extending access to these valuable resources for a more unified community, one outdoor adventure at a time.
Heard on the Trail
We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who joined us on the trail this year. Your enthusiasm and camaraderie made the 2024 Soul Dirt season truly special. We shared beautiful moments, forged lasting friendships, and found solace in nature. Here’s to another year of dirt, dreams, and discovery!
See you on the trail,
Shawna Wants You To Help Us Get Our Community Outside:
Donate now to support our community with:
- Gear: A significant barrier for our community to get outside is simply the right gear. Whether it’s a helmet, bike, water bottle, or backpack, we are always in need of more gear for our participants to encourage them to get outside.
- Resources & Education: Support to increase the resources available to our community to understand how, where, and why they can get outside on the trails. Imagine not knowing you have a trail in your backyard that is free and yours to use. We want to make sure our community knows this and feels welcome to use it.
- Food, Drink, & Swag: Getting out on our trails is a great way to socialize and celebrating a great time on the trails with food, drink, and swag always reinforces the excitement and builds relationships amongst our community.
