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Inn November of 2001, the Town of Richmond designated the Cochran Road as an on-road segment of the Cross Vermont Trail (CVT). This provides a connection to Bolton, which has already designated the River Road. The Round Church (pictured left), an historic landmark and the symbol of Richmond, is on this route. The CVT in Richmond currently ends at Bridge Street, but the Richmond Recreation Path Committee is currently determining an appropriate alignment to connect their section with Williston.
In January 2002, the Williston Selectboard voted to support the CVT project, and they plan to have an on-road section (with some paths) marked by end of summer of 2002. They also plan to pursue the long-term goal of establshing an off-road alignment. This is a big step for the CVT, increasing our overall mileage of designated trail by more than 35%!
The CVT Association (CVTA) is currently working with the Vermont Agency of Transportation and host communities on the design for a bike route sign to mark on-road sections of the CVT. They have teamed up with the Town of Williston to apply for a Kodak American Greenways grant to fund the cost of these signs. The grant awards will be announced in Fall of 2002.
The CVT in Waterbury is 1.45 miles long. From west to east, it begins at the Winooski St. bridge, follows Winooski St. for 0.1 mile, then bears south onto an unpaved path which winds through some fields for 0.8 mile behind the Vermont State Office Complex. At 1.0 miles, the trail enters the State Complex parking lot/driveway, which it follows for 0.1 mile until the trail joins VT Rtes 2 & 100, which it follows for .35 miles, crossing the Winooski River and ending at the Waterbury/Moretown town line. Parking: There are no official parking areas. Permitted Uses: Running, hiking, bicycling, Nordic skiing, snowshoeing. Connecting Trails: The Waterbury! Duxbury Recreation Path combines with the CVT to make a 3 -mile trail. It joins the CVT at two points: at the Winooski St. Bridge, and at the Waterbury/Moretown Bridge on Rtes 100 & 2.
This signed and designated portion of the CVT is 1.5 miles long. It currently ends at the E. Montpelier/ Plainfield town line, where there is a gate with "no trespass signs on it. Parking: located on the east side of Rte. 14, 0.8 miles south of its junction with Rte. 2 in E. Montpelier. This trailhead was recently purchased through a cooperative effort by VAST, E. Montpelier Trails, Inc., and the E. Montpelier Gully Jumpers snowmobile club. Permitted Uses: hiking, bicycling, horseback riding, snowmobiling, Nordic skiing, snowshoeing. Winter users should yield to snowmobiles; summer users should yield to horseback riders. Points of interest: historical artifacts from Montpelier - Wells River Railroad.
This section of the CVT can be accessed from several places in Groton State Forest. The signed and designated segment of trail is 7.6 miles in length, and reverts to private ownership at either end of the State Forest, where boundaries are clearly marked. Parking: Ricker Pond and Kettle Pond, found on east and west sides of Route 232, respectively. Permitted Uses: hiking, bicycling, horseback riding, Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling. Winter users yield to snowmobiles; summer users yield to horseback riders. Points of Interest: Interest: historic railroad markers, glacial ponds and lakes, hiking trails. Longer ride option: continue south on Rte 232, then east on Rte 302. Pass the Upper Valley Grill and then turn right on Coal Kiln Road. Access the old railbed on left. Continue onto Depot Flat, cross to Little Italy Rd. Access railbed on left. Continue on the CVT to Brown Rd., east on Rte 302, left on Church St. (at blinking light). Take right on Creamery Road (approx. 1 mile), then left on Rte. 302 east to the trailhead parking behind the Curious Cow Too Giftshop.
Located in the Town of Newbury, the Village of Wells River currently has 1.75 miles of designated Cross Vermont Trail. Parking: On the Ryegate/Newbury town line on the north side of Route 302, next to the "Curious Cow, Too gift shop is a trailhead with room for a number of vehicles to park. The Wells River CVT passes through a large White Pine and Eastern Hemlock stand, as well as several wetlands and bogs with viewing benches and wildlife habitat boxes. The trail segment is divided by the 1-91 bridge over the Wells River. Travel under the bridge is currently not permitted, but a path suitable for bicycles is scheduled to be constructed in the fall of 2002. Permitted Uses: Hiking, walking, Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, mountain biking Connecting trails: West of the interstate bridge is the Boltonville Nature Trail (hiking only), which is approximately 1 mile in length and explores the upland slopes and riparian floodplain of the Wells River. This trail junctions with the CVT at 2 points from the north. East of the 1-91 bridge is the Blue Mountain Nature Trail (hiking only), which is also approximately 1 mile in length and which joins the CVT from the north. This trail passes through upland Hemlock and Spruce-Fir forest, and offers beautiful views of the Wells River via some cliffs and ledges.
Happy Trails, and have a great summer!!!
(signed)
Eric Scharnberg
CVT Coordinator
On Saturday, May 4, 2002, East Montpelier Trails, Central VT SolldWaste Management District (CVSWMD) and the East Montpelier Gully Jumpers snowmobile club teamed up to plant twenty trees and at least as many rose bushes on the recently acquired trailhead on Route 14 in East Montpelier. The trees were donated by CVSWMD and funded by a grant which enables CVSWD to give 250 seedlings to Central Vermont towns for similar projects each year. The trees were planted along the trailhead's property lines, and will help delineate the parking area, which will be the focus of several future work projects. Stop by and check it out next time you're in East Montpelier. And don't forget to hike or ride your bike on the 1.5 miles of designated CVT that it accesses! (see map) For more information about CVSWMD's programs and facilities, call 802-229-9383 or 1-800-730-9475.
On Saturday, June 1, the Cross Vermont Trail Association will host its fifth annual National Trails Day event in Newbury. Come and volunteer for a day of trail work, guided hikes and bike rides, a raffle, and a barbeque. Participants meet at 10am in Wells River at or near Blue Mountain School on Route 302. If you plan to attend, please contact Mike Thomas at (802) 757-3960, or Rose Paul at (802)454-1220. Rain Date Sunday, June 2.
In early 2001 the Town of Newbury was awarded a Municipal Planning Grant from the Vermont Department of Housing and Community Affairs (DHCA) to develop a master plan for the North Bank Study Area along the Wells River. The area had aroused concern in town officials and citizens because several key properties had come onto the market, and there was concern that the current zoning in the area did not address the town's goals of environmental protection and river bank restoration. At the same time, the Village of Wells River, with a shortage of land in its central district, was considering the area for potential commercial development to provide much needed services along this corridor.
In response, the North Bank Study was introduced as a community-based planning effort to investigate the development, conservation and recreation opportunities that benefit both the land owners and the community. The office of Robert A. White, ASLA, assisted by ecologist Jeffrey Parsons and development consultant Shawn Donovan, was hired to guide the process of preparing a Wells River North Bank Conservation and Development Plan. The project involves a wide range of stakeholders, from Town officials, landowners, conservationists, concerned citizens and business owners.
The goal of this study is to integrate the natural and recreational corridor of the Wells River with the future economic development for the community through an inclusive process. The study area presents recreational and conservation opportunities such as riverbank restoration, the Wells River Conservation Area and the Cross Vermont Trail. The plan builds on the efforts already underway: to meet the Town's goals of appropriate and sustainable economic development, conservation, recreation, job creation, housing opportunities and maintaining the vital character of downtown Wells River.
On February 9, 10 people showed up to hike and snowshoe the Wells River CVT. Mike Thomas, local CVT board member, hosted the event.
The trail, when complete, will parallel the Winooski River from its confluence with Lake Champlain to Marshfield Pond in Groton State Forest. Crossing the watershed divide, the trail will continue along the Wells River to the Connecticut River. In Chittenden County, the trail runs roughly parallel .to US Route 2 through Burlington, South Burlington, Williston, Richmond and Bolton. Once in Washington Co., the trail will use recreation paths and paved and unpaved roads through Duxbury, Waterbury and Moretown. In Washington, Orange, and Caledonia Counties, the trail will follow portions of the 36-mile former Montpelier-Wells River Railroad bed, connecting the towns of Montpelier, East Montpelier, Plainfield, Marshfield, Peacham, Groton, Ryegate and Newbury.
The CVTA needs volunteers to provide community support and work on trail construction and maintenance projects. Professional labor, equipment, and trail building materials are needed for large scale trail improvement projects. If you are interested in any volunteer opportunities or want to becom a member of the CVTA, please contact us!
( ) Yes, I would like to become a member of the Cross Vermont Trail Association!Enclosed is a check*/money order* for my charitable contribution of:
(* Please make checks/money orders payable to Cross Vermont TraiI Association, Inc.) ( ) I would like to be on the CVT mailing list (membership not necessary).Your Name:_________________________________________________________ P.O. Box/Street Address_______________________________________________ Town/City, State & Zip Code___________________________________________ Phone Number (optional)______________________________________________ E-mail Address (optional)______________________________________________ Please cut out and mail this form to: Cross Vermont Trail Association, Inc.Steve Desroches, Treasurer 6 Windsor Lane Groton, VT 05046 |
Copied on May 25, 2002 by Kenyon F.
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