The Last Best TRAILS® is a made-in-Montana-based multimedia platform created to foster a sense of wonder and stewardship of our natural treasures.
Bozeman-based Author/Illustrator and Animator Bryan Schaeffer has created a world based on the experiences of family and friends in Montana. Characters are real people in real places, creating unreal experiences.
Every scene is hand drawn and painted by the author, and is designed for use in printed books, interactive ePublications, and animated short films.
A technique developed by the artist inspired by the golden age of animation uses hand-drawn and colored frames set up in a multi-plane camera to give a cinematic sense of depth and parallax. This distinctive look is a product of producing hundreds of motion graphics video campaigns over the past decade, including award-winning TV campaigns and ultra-hd animated content for the world's top tech company, biotech, non-profit, and news organization.
These animated short films with an accompanying books, interactive content, and framed canvases represents a legacy-building first launch of the series, which will inspire children of all ages with wonder and awe of Montana's scenic wonders and wildlife.
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"It’s hard to imagine the sheer time and effort needed to create a comprehensive guide to southwest Montana’s hiking, biking, and ski trails. Luckily, you won’t ever have to take on such a monolithic task, because Bryan Schaeffer has done it for you. In his book, The Last Best Trails Montana (SINTR, $30), he covers a multitude of trails in Bozeman, Big Sky, and the surrounding area. It’s filled with detailed artwork and illustrations that complement trail maps and interesting local facts. I’m particularly impressed with Shaeffer’s gear rundowns, and he even dives into different bike geometries. The book’s also got QR codes that link to relevant videos, maps, and podcasts. All in all, Schaeffer’s guidebook should be a coffee-table mainstay for any Bozeman local, and an essential reference for visitors."
- Gerard Ligotti
Outside Bozeman Magazine
“This book is a guide to what I see as the true treasures of the treasure state: the joys of outdoor experience. Written by a local, helping make adventure accessible to all.”
- Heidi Makoutz
Masters Community Coordinator & Lead Adult Teams Coach
"Bryan’s ‘Last Best’ series are a blended work of art and information, providing more than enough inspiration to fill your weekends for years to come. Combining all the essential biking, skiing and hiking trails in one place is a feat of work; top that off with his illustrations that showcase the beauty of Montana, and you’ve got one outstanding resource."
-Christoper Kussmaul
Author Peaks & Couloirs of Southwest Montana
"The perfect guidebook for tourists and locals alike. Even as someone who has lived in Southwest Montana for a few years, I will be utilizing Bryan's book as I look to discover new trails in my own backyard."
-Dani Aravich
U.S. Paralympian- Nordic Skiing & Biathlon
“Bryan has created yet another beautiful, thorough, educational and - I’d say - even inspirational guidebook for the greater Bozeman area. So much great information presented alongside his stellar hand-drawn illustrations. It’ll make you want to lace up your running shoes or boots and head out the door to the closest trail or use it over time as a Bozeman bucket list of sorts.”
-Justin Bigart
Musician, photographer, designer, outdoor enthusiast
“Peppered with beautifully drawn flora and fauna along with tips and history, this book is a treasure for Montana recreationalists. A one-stop shop for the best places to go hiking, biking and skiing, it’s a valuable guide that is stunning enough to earn a place on the coffee table.”
-Tami Asars
Outdoors-focused writer. Photographer. Author. Wilderness wanderer
Non Stop Local News Interview
"This book is filled with extremely valuable information that people normally spend tons of time researching. It is put together in a way that makes it easy and fun to read. The artwork is outstanding and the maps are super beneficial. QR codes make this even more than a book. This is THE perfect read for anyone with any interest in the o
"This book is filled with extremely valuable information that people normally spend tons of time researching. It is put together in a way that makes it easy and fun to read. The artwork is outstanding and the maps are super beneficial. QR codes make this even more than a book. This is THE perfect read for anyone with any interest in the outdoors."-Cecelia KrichmanProperty manager & outdoor enthusiast
Winner of the 2022 Bozeman People's Choice awards for best local book and best local author.
"May this book send you on some world class adventures!"
-Tim Hawke
Co-Author Southern Montana Singletrack & Architect of Copper City Trails
"This book is for those looking to explore the winter landscape of southwestern Montana in ways as versatile as the terrain they offer. Calling all-around winter athletes. Go find your adventure."
-Andy Newell
Head Coach of Nordic Team Solutions & four-time Olympic skier.
"Bryan Schaeffer uses illustration to get people outdoors. It seems like Bryan uses illustration and animation to engage his audience in a way that other mediums cannot."
- Holden Sier
Outside Bozeman Magazine
"This is my favorite type of book because it gets to the point." It's really the best of both worlds - beautifully illustrated book and you get the digital world if you want it. It's always great to have a reference guide to get you started."
-DJ Zepp
105.7 The Eagle
"Part of being an artist is being relevant, and I don’t want to just work in my own little artist silo and not have it affect anybody. I really want this to affect people. I really want people to feel empowered and part of the community. "
-Bryan Schaeffer
interview with Tyler Cohen
Crosscountry Skier Magazine
The Last Best Trails is a passion project by Montana native and every season trails enthusiast -Bryan Schaeffer. Bryan is a three-time Emmy® winner and contributor to Outside Bozeman Magazine. His second book of the series "The Last Best BIKE" won the 2022 Bozeman's Choice Awards for best local book and best local author.
Thank you for visiting The Last Best Trails! If you're interested in illustration, animation, or book design and publishing services please visit my illustration website.
A few years ago it was only enterprise level publications that could afford creating high-quality print publications and interactive books. With epub and other innovative formats you can now reach audiences with deep content in highly interactive and engaging formats.
We tell stories about real people in real places having unreal experiences. Visit the custom illustration and animation website.
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