Jackson, WY – The Jackson Hole Land Trust (JHLT) announced a major funding win that will protect public access to the beloved High School Butte trailhead. A local family has pledged $100,000 if the community completes 1,000 hikes during a week‑long “Boot up the Butte” hike‑athon, and the Teton County Scenic Preserve Trust (TCSPT) has approved $750,000 of Specific Purpose Excise Tax (SPET) funds to help purchase the parcel.
Funding and County Approval
At the Teton County Board of Commissioners’ voucher meeting on Monday, commissioners voted to allocate the $750,000 from TCSPT. The SPET measure, approved by county voters in 2022, earmarks money for “Teton County Land Conservation Opportunities.” JHLT requested the funds to secure a 3.74‑acre parcel that includes the trailhead at the northeast corner of South Park Loop Road and Blair Drive/Hi‑Country Drive.
“I’m grateful we have the opportunity to deploy these SPET funds to protect access to a beloved community trail,” TCSPT Board Member Natalia Macker told Buckrail. “It’s a true win‑win and exemplifies the power of collaboration.”
Boot up the Butte Hike‑athon
From Monday, Sept. 28 through Saturday, Oct. 3, JHLT will host a hike‑athon inviting residents to climb High School Butte as many times as they wish. Each hike is logged by scanning a QR code posted at the top of the switchbacks. If the community logs 1,000 hikes during the window, the pledged $100,000 will be released.
JHLT Director of Advancement Jill Callahan said, “By tying their gift to 1,000 hikes, the family is inviting the whole community to show what this trailhead means to them. That kind of visible support is what protects places like High School Butte for the long haul.”
Community Perks During the Event
To encourage participation, JHLT has scheduled daily “Butte Scootin’ Boogie Hours” where local businesses will offer free treats and services:
- Monday, Sept. 28, 3‑6 p.m.: Aguas frescas from La Michoacana
- Tuesday, Sept. 29, 3‑6 p.m.: Bike tune‑ups from The Hub Bicycles
- Wednesday, Sept. 30, 3‑6 p.m.: Ice cream from Jackson Drug
- Thursday, Oct. 1, 3‑6 p.m.: Beer burros with root beer from Grand Teton Brewing
- Friday, Oct. 2, 3‑6 p.m.: Cookies from Bake Me Vegan
- Saturday, Oct. 3, 9 a.m.‑noon: Coffee and treats from Snake River Roasting Co.’s red trailer
These offerings aim to make the hike‑athon a family‑friendly celebration of the outdoors and local entrepreneurship.
Background on the Sale
The parcel is currently owned by the Presbyterian Church of Jackson Hole, which plans to sell the land to fund future employee housing. For more than three decades the church has kept the trailhead open to the public. JHLT’s purchase will ensure permanent, safe access for hikers, cyclists, and families.
The exact sale price has not been disclosed, and JHLT is also seeking an additional $130,000 through private fundraising to cover any remaining costs.
Why This Matters
Preserving the High School Butte trailhead aligns with the community’s commitment to outdoor recreation, family health, and responsible land stewardship. The collaboration between a private family donor, a county‑wide conservation trust, and a local nonprofit demonstrates how faith‑based values, traditional family interests, and individual liberty can work together to protect cherished public spaces.
Original reporting: Buckrail (Jackson WY) — read the source article.
