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On Saturday, September 25, more than thirty people showed up to ride an eleven-mile section of the former Montpelier-Wells River Railroad bed, from the Kettle Pond parking lot on Route 232 in Groton to the Mills Memorial Ballfield in Ryegate. The riders met in the parking lot at 9:30 AM, and Cross Vermont Trail Association (CVTA) Regional Coordinators Steve Desroches (Groton) and Mike Thomas (Wells River) directed the activities and coordinated the event. After a quick introduction and safety talk by Steve Desroches, and a check-over of everyone's bikes for soft tires or parts problems (photo on page 2), the ride began.
Although the sky was overcast and temperatures were on the cool side, the weather stayed in our favor throughout the ride. Since the CVT in Groton State Forest is at a fairly high elevation (approx. 1400 to 1700 feet, depending on location), the fall colors were nearly halfway to peak in many areas, with flashes of red, orange, and yellow flame filling out the leaves of select maples and birches.
Views along the ride included Owl's Head Mountain, Little Deer Mountain, and Lake Groton. Numerous volunteers provided assistance and information to participants at various safety checkpoints along the way. At 10:30 AM, we reached the Ricker Pond parking lot, where two more riders joined the already impressive fleet. Then we made our way out to the junction of Route 232 and 302, where Groton constable Milt Lamberton was stationed with his patrol vehicle to assure that the riders could cross safely. The ride continued along 302 through the outskirts of Groton and past the Upper Valley
Grill, and then left the highway at Coal Kiln Road, where it rejoined the old railbed. For the next three miles, the route passed through mixed spruce, birch and beech forest, and provided the riders with wonderful views of farms, ponds, and bogs. The ride ended in South Ryegate, where there
was a lunch and reception at the Mills Memorial Ballfield. The reception and food provided an excellent opportunity for families and recreationists with similar interests to meet and learn more about the Cross Vermont
Trail. Two passenger vans were :~ provided (thanks to the Vermont B Agency of Transportation) to shuttle riders back to their cars at Kettle Pond.
Future events on the CVT will be happening this winter and spring. If you would like to host or coordinate a bike ride, hike, or ski outing on the CVT in your area, please contact the CVT coordinator at 828-5696.
Preparation for this event took weeks. Debi Desroches put together the wonderful flyer that went out to Twinfield and Blue Mountain Union Schools. Mike Thomas and Steve Desroches built and set up numerous hazard signs at critical points along the route, and also set out hazard cones at key road crossings. Steve Desroches obtained permission from the Groton and Ryegate Selectboards for the event to take place. Fred Tougas of Groton single handedly cleared the entire trail section of fallen trees from the hurricane in September. The Vermont Agency of Transportation provided the use of twenty orange hazard cones, as well as two twelve-passenger vans for the purpose of shuttling riders back to their cars. Mike Thomas, Mary Hensley, Kenyon Karl, and Steve Desroches helped out at the safety checkpoints along the ride. Jim Dresser, who is one of the rangers at Groton State Forest, and Susan Bulmer (ANR Northeast Parks Director), provided much needed help with the logistics for the event. Bagels were provided by Sammy's Bagels in Montpelier. Spring water was provided by Polar Pure. A certain Vermont ice cream company which has chosen to remain nameless provided the ice cream. A special thanks goes out to Lucy Gibson, Rose Paul, Mary Hensley, and Steve Desroches for helping to coordinate the food and supply the picnic tables for the reception.
Totaling over 25,000 acres, Groton State Forest is one of the largest contiguous landholdings belonging to the State of Vermont. This provides a large wilderness buffer around the eleven miles of the Cross Vermont Trail that exist within the State Forest boundaries. Located at the southern edge of the Northeast Kingdom, which is an extension of the White Mountains of NH, the park has many sharp granite peaks and ledges, of which Owl's head is a particularly striking example (see picture on page 2). There are also numerous glacially carved bogs, ponds and lakes, such as Kettle Pond and Lake Groton. The treadway is quite gentle with respect to both its gradient and trail surface, making it a perfect bike ride for families.
When traveling on the CVT in the Groton State Forest, it is important for visitors to respect "No trespassing signs' the railbed abuts several private landholdings in this area. The State Forest boundares are blazed in red. At the western boundary, the Montpelier-Wells River railbed reverts to private ownership, and remains on private lands until it reaches Plainfield. Because of this, the CVTA does not encourage bicyclists, skiers, or hikers to use the railbed in Marshfield west of Groton State Forest without permission from the landowners in that area.
In winter, Groton State Forest offers some of the best opportunities for snowshoe and ski travel in the State of Vermont. The Vermont Association of Snow Travelers (VAST) also uses the Montpelier-Wells River railbed as a snowmobile route; in fact, it is a very popular destination for snowmobilers. Because of this, non-snowmobilers must act responsibly and yield the right-of way to snowmobile riders, who often can't hear or see hikers or skiers around blind corners.
For more information or maps of Groton State forest, please contact the VT Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation. Waterbury District Office: 241-3683. Barre District Office. 476-0170. St. Johnsbury District Office: 751-0110
On October 25th, at the Town Hall in Newbury, VT, a public hearing was held to assess community backing for the proposed project to improve a two-mile section of the Cross Vermont Trail in Wells River. VT. The Village of Wells River is in the town of Newbury. Lucy Gibson (Senior Transportation Planner) gave the presentation of the project to the Newbury Selectboard. Also present were Alice Allen, Al Stevens, and Mike Thomas, all local residents and long-time CVT supporters. Mike Thomas (CVT Regional coordinator and trail adopter) gave a summary and history of the local involvement on the CVT project, and provided eloquent answers to questions from the select board and interested townspeople. One of the most important and influential pieces of the presentation was the graphic layout of the project, which was designed by trail planners Bob White and Peter Jensen of Norwich, Vermont; and was funded by a technical assistance grant from the Rivers and Trails Program of the National Park Service. The overall response was extremely favorable, and the town of Newbury voted unanimously in favor of the project.
The former Montpelier-Wells River railbed stretches from Montpelier to the VT/NH border. Its total length is more than 35 miles, and is mostly intact from East Montpelier to Ryegate, VT. Between Ryegate and Wells River, there are a few locations where the corridor is either nonexistent, or is in a condition that is far too rugged for cyclists or pedestrians to follow. The most formidable obstacle is found in Wells River, where the construction of the I-91 bridge over the Wells River has completely eliminated the railbed. The central component of the project will involve the construction of a 300 foot-long "underpass" for cyclists, hikers, and cross-country skiers, which would effectively reunite the two sections of the trail severed by the bridge. This in turn will complete a valuable off-road gateway for the community of Wells River to access both the Blue Mountain Union School and the Boltonville Nature Trail (a project of Alice Allen and the Newbury Conservation Commission. Additional improvements on the Wells River section of the CVT will include the leveling and grading of the entire trail to eliminate drainage problems, and the creation of a trailhead on Route 302 (near the Boltonville Road), with an information kisok sign-in box, and possibly room for parking.
Click on drawing for oversized image!
Design for CVT on the slope under I-91 Wells River Bridge.
In 1992, this railbed was the inspiration for the Cross Vermont Trail (CVT). Since then, the Newbury Conservation Commission, the Wells River Action Program (WRAP), the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, the National Park Service, and the Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Planning Commission have worked together to plan and design the necessary improvements to rehabilitate the trail in Wells River.
On November third, the Cross Vermont Trail Association, Inc. (CVTA) submitted an application for Vermont Agency of Transportation (VAOT) Enhancements 2000 funding. The application could not have been completed without the hard work and skilled assistance of Lucy Gibson (2 Rivers Ottauquechee) and Mary Hensley (CVTA Board Secretary). This November, over 60 Enhancements applications were filed, making the funding very competitive. Letters of support for the application were provided by the Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Planning Commission, The Wells River Action Program, The Newbury Conseration Commission, and the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation.
The CVT is proposed to be Vennont's first east-west, long-distance, multi-use trail spanning 75 miles from the Connecticut River in Wells River to Lake Champlain in Burlington. In a sense, the Cross-Vermont is two distinct "' trails that create a single greenway.
The western half (from Montpelier to Burlington) will mostly follow existing town and state roads along the Winooski River; and will utilize recreation paths and off-road routes when ever possible. This half of the CVT is primarily intended for bicycle and foot travel, although a few off-road sections could provide opportunities for cross-country skiing. The towns of Waterbury and Bolton have recently designated sections of the CVT, and Burlington, South Burlington, Williston, and Richmond are currently in the process of defining routes.
The eastern half of the CVT will hopefully follow the former Montpelier-Wells River railbed, which stretches over 35 miles in length from Montpelier east to the Vermont/New Hampshire state line. This historic former railroad route passes through bogs, marshes, farm sites, and the very scenic Groton State Forest. Much of this railbed is used and maintained by the Vermont Association of Snow Travelers, who have played a major part in its reconstruction. As a whole, this railbed also offers excellent opportunities for hiking and bicycling in the warm months, as well as cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter. On this portion of the corridor, the CVT has been established in Wells River, East Montpelier, and in Groton State Forest, a total of nearly 15 miles!
Although many of the towns along the proposed route have already designated CVT sections or are currently in the process of doing so; this rail corridor (and its right-of-way) exists on private lands in numerous areas, which are not part of the CVT. It is recommended that people who intend to use trail sections with which they are unfamiliar should first check with a local CVT volunteer (or the CVT Coordinator) for advice on where trail use is encouraged.
The Montpelier & Wells River Railroad (M&WR) was built between 1870 and 1873. For most of its life, the M&WR was owned by a subsidiary of the Boston & Maine Railroad and operated as a feeder to the B&M's extensive New England railroad system. It was used more or less continuously until its abandonment in 1956. This railbed was the inspiration for the Cross Vermont Trail, which has been a project of the Sate of Vermont, and numerous other public and private agencies since 1992. Nearly half of the CVT will hopefully use its historic treadway. When you are travelling on this railbed, you are retracing a part of Vermont's history - the Wells River Railroad helped to build many of the towns and families that make up the rich tapestry that is Vermont's cultural legacy.
"The purpose of the Cross Vermont Trail Association, Inc., is to assist municipalities, recreation groups, and landowners in the creation and management of a four-season, multi-use trail across the state of Vermont for public recreation, alternative transportation, and awareness of our national and cultural heritage. " (Article 1.3 of the Bylaws of the Cross Vermont Trail Association, Inc., amended Dec. 1, 1999). What began over eight years ago as an action plan formulation team, and then as a steering committee, has since evolved into a self-sustaining, incorporated organization with a volunteer board of seven directors, a part-time, state-funded coordinator, numerous volunteers throughout the state, and a newsletter with a circulation of over 400 readers. The CVTA has just filed its 501(c)(3) application, and hopes to have its non-profit status by this upcoming spring.
Partners in the CVT effort include the Vermont Agency of Transpoirtation, Two-Rivers Ottaquechee Regional Planning Commission, the Natiorlal Park Service, the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, the Vermont Agency Natural Resources; and the numerous conservation and recreation committees of the municipalities along the existing and proposed CVT corridor.
Although the CVT is a project which has existed for over eight years, its governing entity, the CVT Association, has only
been in existence since its incorporation in August of 1999. As a result, the Association has very few actual members. This is something we would like to
change, by soliciting memberships. Dues-paying CVTA members will receive regular
updates on current and upcoming trail outings and work days. Members are also invited to annual meetings, and are welcome to attend all meetings of the CVTA board of directors. You also receive a
subscription to the CVT Newsletter, which is published several times per year and provides the latest news on the progress of the CVT in the 17 communities through which it is proposed to pass. Finally, members receive waterproof CVT decals to decorate their favorite means
of transportation (yes, they'll even stick to your hiking boots). Whether you are a walker, a hiker, a bicyclist, a Nordic skier, a snowmobiler, or simply an outdoor enthusiast; your membership in the Cross Vermont Trail Association will allow you to join a group of people who support and enloy the benefits ofa family-oriented greenway which brings Vermont communities and recreationists together. 100%
of the money obtained from membership fees will go directly into trail projects, CVT events and outings, and educational outreach programs. To become a
CVTA member, fill out the separate membership form.
Opportunities to volunteer for the Cross Vermont Trail are numerous. The CVTA needs board members and people willing to help generate local support, especially from the following towns: Marshfield, Ryegate, Berlin, Duxbury, and Moretown.
The CVT needs people who are willing to volunteer on trail construction and maintenance projects - you must be willing to get dirty, work hard, meet great people, eat free food, and have fun.
As more Vermont communities establish their sections of the CVT, longer and longer sections of the trail will become open to public use. This means more CVT group outing events, which always need the help of volunteers to get organized.
Certain sections of the CVT are in need of major improvements before they become usable trail sections. Professional
labor, equipment, and trail building materials are always needed for these large scale projects, and often can be used as in-kind match for grant funding. If you are interested in any of these volunteer opportunities, get in touch with a local CVTA contact/ board member, or contact the CVT Coordinator.
On October 7, 1999, the bylaws of the Cross Vermont Trail Association were adopted by its incorporating board of directors. This is a landmark occurrence for a beginning non-profit organization such as the CVTA, because the bylaws dictate how such an organization will be run, and how it will conduct its future activities. Acting officers cannot be elected until a set of bylaws has been adopted. These same bylaws were subsequently revised on December 1, 1999, as a result of technical assistance provided by Chris Hadsel, who is on the board of directors of Branch Out Burlington, and is also a member of the Vermont Association of Non-Profit Organizations (VANPO). Chris helped us with some of the key wording on the Bylaws (and Articles of Incorporation) to make them more compliant to the mission of a nonprofit organization. Most of the credit has to go to Mary Hensley - CVT board member and volunteer extroardinaire - who has been the principal researcher, writer, and editor of this 8 page document; which constitutes a model set of bylaws for any non-profit organization. A copy of these bylaws may be obtained free of charge from the Cross Vermont Trail Coordinator.
OFFICERS ELECTED:
On the same board meeting of October 7th, the CVTA also elected its officers. These are: Chairperson - Rose Paul; Vice-Chairperson - Ben Rose; Treasurer - Sandy Woodbeck; and Secretary - Mary Hensley.
Rose Paul currently works for The Nature Consewancy (Vermont Field Office) as its Director of Stewardship. She was the first official Cross Vermont Trail Coordinator in 1996 a position which she held while simultaneously working fulltime for the VT Agency of Natural Resources. Rose lives in Plainfield, VT, and enjoys hiking and cycling in her spare time.
Ben Rose works for the Green Mountain Club as its Executive Director. He is also a former board-member of the Catamount Trail Association, and was implementary in its creation as a trail and as an organization over 15 years ago. He is a former State Representative, and helped pass legislation to allocate state funding for technical assistance to the Cross Vermont Trail project.
Sandy Woodbeck is a former employee of the VT Agency of Transportation, where he worked for 34 years in construction and design. He wears and has worn many different hats, including former president and current board member of East Montpelier Trails, Inc., and long-time president of the East Montpelier snowmobile club, a chapter of the Vermont Association of Snow Travelers (VAST). He has been involved in the Cross Vermont Trail effort for a long time - a section in East Montpelier was one of the first CVT sections to be designated. Sandy lives in East Montpelier.
Mary Hensley resides in East Thetford, VT and is a former social worker and travel agent. She is currently taking a little time away from the 9-5 world to do some volunteer community work. She is an avid bicyclist, Nordic skier and hiker.
On December 1, 1999, Seth Coffey joined the CVTA board of directors. Seth brings with him over seven years of experience in trails and recreation, having worked for the Appalachian Trail Conference in Maine, the Green Mountain Club, the Vermont Agency of Transportation, and the Winooski Valley Parks District, where he is currently their Parks Manager. Seth lives in Montpelier, and enloys hiking, Nordic skiing, and mountain biking in his spare time.
On January 13, 2000, Steve Desroches joined the CVTA Board of Directors. Since 1994, Steve has been a very active volunteer in all CVT events. He recently helped mastermind the Fall Foliage Ride in Groton and Newbury. Steve woks in Berlin for a printing company, and lives with his wife (Debi) and three children Joe, Gedeon, and Leah-Marie in Groton, VT. His varied outdoor interests include mountain biking with his family, gardening, and hunting.
On December 17, 1999, the Cross Vermont Trail Association sent in their application to the Internal Revenue Service for 501(c)(3) Non Profit status. This lengthy application was assembled and completed by Mary Hensley, with the review of other members of the CVTA board of directors. Once granted, non-profit status will allow the Cross Vermont Trail Association to be eligible for numerous grants and funding sources which are only available to such organizations. The Association hopes to receive this status by March or April of 2000.
On January 6th, 2000, the towns of Williston and South Burlington filed an application for the Transportation for Livable Communities (TLC) grant, which is administered by the Chittenden County Metropoliitan Planning Organization. If awarded, the grant money will be used to hire a consultant to determine feasible trail alignments and plans for a bridge to cross the Muddy Brook, which is the boundary between the two towns. Such an off-road link would be a key step in the establishment of a safe on and off-road greenway providing access in and out of the greater Burlington area.
The Richmond Recreation Path Committee has recently hired a recreation planner to help them determine route options for the CVT from Williston to Bolton. These funds come from a TLC grant, which was awarded to Richmond in March 1999 for this purpose. The CVT Coordinator and towns of Williston and Bolton are providing the consultant with the necessary information to coordinate the route between the three towns.
In December 1999, the town of Bolton approved their section of the Cross Vermont Trail, which will follow the Duxbury Road from the Duxbury/Bolton town line to the Richmond/Bolton town line. Trail maps of this and other officially designated CVT sections will be available on request from the Cross Vermont Trail Association some time in the spring of 2000.
Copied on February 21, 2000 by Kenyon F. Karl <railtrails@crosswinds.net> from the printed newsletter using a scanner and OCR software. Unintentional errors are likely!
