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2,907 Hikes to Keep High School Butte Open

For six days at the turn of October, the switchbacks up High School Butte saw more boots than almost any week in memory. More than 1,000 community members climbed the Butte 2,907 times during our Boot up the Butte campaign, logging hikes before sunrise, after school, and every hour in between to help keep this well-loved spot open for good.

The goal was 1,000 hikes. The community blew past it in just two days, unlocking a local family’s $100,000 gift. Rather than coast, we switched to a dollar-per-hike model, and hikers kept climbing, nearly tripling the original goal. Those hikes helped us raise enough to purchase the trailhead parcel, plus an additional $30,000 for trail improvements and habitat restoration. The effort builds on $750,000 in SPET funds allocated by the Teton County Board of County Commissioners at the end of September.

Here’s why it matters. For more than 30 years, the Presbyterian Church of Jackson Hole has kept High School Butte open to the public. With the church selling the parcel to build employee housing, we stepped in to secure permanent, safe access. Once the purchase is complete, we will protect the property with a conservation easement and transfer it to the Town of Jackson.

“It was invigorating to be out there and hear firsthand the positive impact of this campaign,” said Community Conservation Director Zach Andres. “Now we turn to the trail work and habitat restoration that will keep High School Butte in good shape for the long haul.”

Students, whole PE classes, coworkers on lunch breaks, families, first-timers, and several four-legged regulars. It was never a competition, but a few climbers earned a shoutout:

  • Most hikes: Tom Wuthrich, 34
  • Second: Robin Christensen, 28, with at least one hike every single day
  • Third: Micaela Tzompa, 20
  • Top class: Mr. Ostler’s CES PE classes, 131 hikes
  • Perfect attendance: Robin Christensen and David Weingart hiked all six days
  • Busiest hour: 3 pm, when the switchbacks filled up after school
  • Early bird: Peggy Smith, on the trail at 5:57 am
  • Night owl: Diana Herrera, logging a hike at 12:30 am
  • First on the board: Ruthie Redmond, 8:55 am on opening day
  • Final hike, number 2,907: Vonde Smith

None of this happens without the people who gave, pledged, and matched, and the local businesses that fueled our daily Butte Scootin’ Boogie Hours: La Michoacana, The Hub, Jackson Drug, Grand Teton Brewing and Beer Burros, Bake Me Vegan, Snake River Roasting Co., and our local Lululemon pop-up.

Next time you catch the sunrise from the top of the Butte or watch a class of kids scamper down the switchbacks, you can know that access is protected, forever, for all of us. Stay tuned for ways to lend a hand with trail improvements and habitat restoration. See you on the Butte!