About Gem State Trail Advocates
Who We Area
Gem State Trail Advocates is a Boise-based group with a statewide perspective. We spend time on trails close to home and across Idaho, exploring the landscapes that connect our communities.
That experience informs our work—advocating for trail systems that are thoughtfully designed, inclusive, and reflective of how people move through the outdoors.
Our Mission
Inspire thoughtfully designed, inclusive trail systems that connect all Idahoans to outdoor recreation.
What We Do
Advocacy & Influence
We advocate for thoughtful, well-designed trail systems across Idaho—working with land managers and partners to shape decisions that improve access, sustainability, and long-term impact.
Trail Planning & Design
We contribute to trail planning and design processes, helping ensure systems are intuitive, inclusive, and built to serve a wide range of users and abilities.
Multi-Use Perspective
We experience Idaho’s trails in many ways, from riding to running to backcountry travel—bringing that perspective into how trails are planned and improved.
Our Perspective
From singletrack to backcountry routes, Idaho’s trails are part of how we explore, connect, and move through the landscape. We mountain bike, gravel ride, bikepack, run, hike, backpack, ski, snowshoe, and paddle—across seasons and across the state.
Because we experience trails in so many ways, we bring a broad and grounded perspective to our advocacy—supporting trail systems that are inclusive, well-designed, and connected to the public lands we value.
Why It Matters
Because we exist, Idaho will have more thoughtfully designed and inclusive trail systems—built to serve a wide range of users and stand the test of time.
Where We Are Headed
We’re focused on shaping the future of trail systems in Idaho through consistent, practical advocacy. That means working alongside land managers, engaging in planning processes, and providing thoughtful input on trail design and layout. Our goal is to support systems that are sustainable, accessible, and built to serve a wide range of users over the long term.
Our work is guided by a clear set of values. We believe trails should support exploration and recreation while keeping public lands open and accessible. We advocate for connected trail systems that reduce the need for driving and create more opportunities for longer, more varied experiences. We support well-marked, user-friendly trails that are intuitive to navigate and enjoyable to use.
We are committed to inclusive trail systems—ones that accommodate adaptive bikes, welcome a wide range of abilities, and provide opportunities for different types of riding, from cross-country routes open to all users to mountain bike–specific downhill trails. We also recognize the importance of thoughtful trail design, including user separation and directional use where it improves safety and experience.
To move this work forward, we stay actively engaged. We maintain relationships with land managers and fellow recreationists, continue participation in regional forums, and share advocacy opportunities with the broader outdoor community. Through this ongoing effort, we aim to influence decisions, strengthen collaboration, and help guide the development of better trail systems across Idaho.
Leadership
Susan
Trail Advocate #1
Susan is driven by a deep love for the outdoors and spends as much time as possible exploring the mountains—mountain biking, trail running, hiking, backpacking, bikepacking, skiing, snowshoeing, and kayaking. Trails are central to how she lives, connects, and recharges.
As a professional engineer, Susan brings a logical, solutions-oriented approach to trail advocacy and planning. She focuses on thoughtful, strategic actions that lead to well-designed, sustainable, and inclusive trail systems.
Susan has experience leading a nonprofit and overseeing trail-building projects, combining big-picture vision with on-the-ground execution. Whether through organizational leadership or getting her hands dirty maintaining trails, she is committed to giving back to the community and improving access to the outdoors for all.
Want to join our team?
We’re always looking for passionate people who care about trails and access to the outdoors. Get in touch—we’d love to connect.