Since 2008, our company has provided community-focused trail design, education, support, construction, and maintenance across the Southwest.
We are a different kind of trail company—one that prioritizes connections, community engagement, skill development, and protection of public lands, while creating high quality trail and recreation infrastructure.
We work closely with land managers, non-profits, volunteers, and user groups to achieve our mission, and have a track record of successful projects that are well regarded by users.
We are a different kind of trail company—one that prioritizes connections, community engagement, skill development, and protection of public lands, while creating high quality trail and recreation infrastructure.
We work closely with land managers, non-profits, volunteers, and user groups to achieve our mission, and have a track record of successful projects that are well regarded by users.
"I've been privileged to build a career around creating and repairing trails. I've been doing this work for a long time, and I still get excited about every step of a new trail I design and every stone I set into a staircase. My work is magical to me, and I bring that energy into every project I am part of."
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Eric Ruljancich
Owner/Founder He/Him With over 30 years of experience, Eric brings knowledge, enthusiasm, and energy to every project he is involved in. He is proficient at trail design and construction, as well as management and leadership. A natural problem solver, he enjoys the challenge of working with multiple people to manage and coordinate successful projects. Eric possesses the ability to see the big picture without losing sight of the important details. In addition to his work at Outslope Trail Solutions, he volunteers as the Stewardship Coordinator for the Climbing Association of Southern Arizona (CASA). "Since I was a small child I have loved trails. They are paths to adventure – places where new sights and smells are around every turn. Each trip is a journey of discovery. No matter how many times one travels down a trail it will always be a different experience – a place to learn, and grow and simply be. "Trails bring us together and allow us to connect to nature. They are not just a way to get somewhere, but an entire world of their own." |
"It's exciting to be out there and to be always learning more about what makes a good trail. I enjoy that particular kind of exhaustion I get from swinging a pick mattock or moving rocks around. I find nothing quite as satisfying as seeing how much dirt got through my pants onto my legs at the end of the day."
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Ace Hutchison
Project Point Person They/Them Work experience: Ace started working in construction twenty years ago. They liked working outside with their hands and getting to see what they built at the end of the day. As their interest in sustainability grew they, transitioned to work on a regenerative farm for a few years before finding a job in "natural building," a sustainable branch of construction. They stumbled into trail work three years ago and feel like they have found their calling. What they love about trail work: Ace looks forward every hitch to spending days at a time living and sleeping outside. Hearing red-tailed hawks screech through the canyons. Digging up scorpions. Smelling the desert. Favorite things to do when not doing trail work: When Ace isn't working on trails they might be found running on them. If it's scrambling up a peak or finding a long loop with some alpine lakes, count them in! When not spending time on trails, Ace likes to construct things from wood, give themselves and friends tattoos, and make homebrew. |
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Ben Hanus
Trail Construction Specialist He/Him Work experience: Ben has worked in the world of trails since 2009, primarily in alpine trail construction, maintenance and restoration in Colorado. What he loves about trail work: Ben not only loves working in beautiful places, but enjoys creating sustainable trails as opportunities for people to connect with nature. Favorite things to do when not doing trail work: Ben enjoys riding mountain bikes, rock climbing, photography and cooking. |
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Kile Fravel
Trail Construction Specialist He/Him Work experience: Kile has spent most of his career in trails working in burn scar in New Mexico. Here, he has become proficient with crosscut saws, mule packing, and working in the scorching heat. In his time at Outslope, Kile has been learning all about high quality rock work from the best, and is excited to continue improving his skills. What he loves about trail work: Kile loves trail work because it is the ultimate way to be outside and work with your hands. He thinks trails are the best way to get away from the hustle and bustle and get closer to wildlife. Favorite things to do when not doing trail work: When not on a trail, Kile can't stay inside; he enjoys hiking into untouched wilderness to fly fish for native fishes. He also enjoys watching the birds from the back porch of his home in Mimbres, NM. |
