Now, this is the mountain bike we all dream about owning one day.

A new Santa Cruz Hightower CC carbon frame in svelte deep purple, dressed up in Shimano XTR wireless parts tip to tail, top-end Fox Factory suspension—including the new wireless Float X Live Valve Neo—and the new wireless Fox NEO dropper post, Reserve carbon rims, White Industries hubs, bottom bracket, cranks and chainring, WTB tires, saddle and grips and finished off with Paul Components’ illustrious anodized purple stem and topcap. This bike wants for nothing, and with 29-inch wheels and 150 mms of rear travel, it is built for every type of trail you can point it up, or down. And it can be yours.

5 Bucks Hightower details
Dripping with Shimano's new wireless XTR drivetrain and brakes, the latest wireless Fox Live Valve Neo shock and seatpost, Reserve carbon rims and the sexiest purple White Industry and Paul Component nuggets. This is about as dialed as a trail bike can be.

Donate to Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship between Monday, July 21 and Tuesday, August 12, and you automatically get a chance to win this beauty. All donations made during this window, including those from recurring monthly supporters, are eligible to win the grand-prize Hightower.

Here’s how it works: For every foot of trail purchased at $5 per foot (the average cost of building a trail), participants get entered for a chance to win. The more feet of trail you buy, the better your chances of winning. It is open to U.S. and international entries. The winner will be able to select the frame size of their choice: S-XXL. After the campaign closes, SBTS will draw a number at random to select a winner.

Help Close the East Zone Funding Gap

The dollars generated by this campaign are critical to SBTS’ annual operations, particularly in light of this year’s federal budget and staffing cuts, which have left SBTS as the only crew maintaining some 300 miles of trails across four counties and nine ranger districts, along with working on new builds in several locations across the Lost Sierra.

Trailwork on the Boca trail.

Specifically, proceeds from this 5 Bucks a Foot will help close a $125,000 funding gap on the East Zone Connectivity Project near Truckee. With 51 miles of singletrack trail in the works, the East Zone aims to eventually connect Truckee with Loyalton, Sierraville, Verdi and Reno in Nevada, helping to boost rural economies through recreation. This project has gone through environmental review and is currently in the development phase, funded in part by Sierra Nevada Conservancy and California OHV. The project consists of trails from Boca Dam to Boca Ridge, and heading north along Verdi Ridge. This project will create multiple backcountry loops from Boca Reservoir north to Henness Pass road. With help from Truckee Dirt Riders, Patagonia Reno and local contractors, including Johnson Trails and Momentum Trail Concepts, to date we’ve built 7 miles on Boca Ridge and 6 miles on Verdi Ridge. The terrain is very rocky and challenging, especially a ½ mile section north of Verdi Peak that requires extensive work, pushing our cost up to as much as $45/foot. But 5 Bucks a Foot sounds a lot better than 45 Bucks a Foot, so we need your help to close this funding gap by purchasing as many feet of trail as you can!

Big views from Verdi Peak
These trails will showcase epic views but as you can see, trailbuilding becomes much more difficult at the top of the ridge. Photo: Ken Etzel

A Decade of Donations

Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship launched the first 5 Bucks a Foot campaign 11 years ago, and since that time, the fundraiser has brought in more than $1.1 million dollars in unrestricted funds to support trail development and maintenance in the Lost Sierra. Support from these campaigns has allowed us to do extensive work in the Downieville and Mt. Hough trail systems, as well as the Beckwourth Peak trail in Portola and the Lakes Basin, as we strive to keep making Dirt Magic throughout the Lost Sierra year after year, and work toward our mission to strengthen mountain communities, using trails as the tool.

Campaigns like 5 Bucks a Foot campaigns raise unrestricted dollars, which go much farther than other types of funding, like government grants, because they don’t require costly matches or staff resources to administer. Donating to 5 Bucks a Foot gives a huge boost to the SBTS organization, with your dollars going directly to support the Pro Trail Crew and fund trail projects, and could land you a dream Santa Cruz Hightower—what’s not to love?!

Sierra Trailblazer Falconer Bicycles frame
The bling-tastic 5 Bucks Hightower on a section of the Boca trail under construction. Help us build these trails!

Get In This!

Winners will only be contacted directly by a voice phone call by Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship; any other forms of communication should be considered phishing attempts, do not reply and mark as spam.

"Dream Custom Santa Cruz Bicycles Hightower" Terms & Conditions

The "Dream Custom Santa Cruz Bicycles Hightower" fundraiser is open to contestants worldwide. By participating in the "Dream Custom Santa Cruz Bicycles Hightower" fundraiser, you consent to SBTS sending you additional information and updates related to this donation drawing and other SBTS news. The winner must be 18 years or older and reside in a locality where participation is legal. No purchase is necessary to enter. To enter without purchase, you may mail a handwritten postcard (form) to SBTS at: SBTS, 550 Crescent Street, Quincy, CA 95971. Containing your (i) full name; (2) mailing address, including street address, city, state/district, and zip code (P.O. boxes not accepted); (3) telephone number; (4) email address; and (5) date of birth. All write-in entries must be postmarked by August 7, 2025, and received by August 12, 2025, and only one mail in entry per person will be accepted. All submission forms must be received no later than 11:45 p.m. PST on August 12, 2025. Existing monthly donors can make sure their recurring monthly donations are counted in the giveaway by emailing info@sierratrails.org. Contributions to "Dream Custom Santa Cruz Bicycles Hightower" are tax-deductible. The winner understands, acknowledges, and agrees that the winner is receiving a prize and will hereby release and discharge SBTS, and any additional sponsors, their employees, agents, officers, directors, and legal representatives and assigns from any and all claims, liabilities, damages, losses or expenses arising from or caused by the award of such prize.

Win A Dream Custom Santa Cruz Bicycles Hightower

Donate to trails, win a rare wireless Santa Cruz Hightower custom-built with extra bling