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2017-18 News Scroll.

Thanks Kristen and Taro!

Thanks to our 2018 team of two Americorps Members - Taro Memon and Kristen Hemphill. Their enthusiasm and hard work really got a lot done on projects across the state.

Americorps Taro Memon and Kristen Hemphill

Updates and media posts.

June 24, 2018

Ready, steady, go! All set for the Central Vt Cycle tour Sunday. Register and ride any time between 8 & 10, at Morse Farm in East Montpelier. 11 - 2 free cookout open to all. Thanks to 2018 SPONSORS Red Hen Baking, National Life, Concept2, and Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks.

June 23, 2018

Central Vt Cycle Tour tomorrow! The arrows are going up as we speak, 15, 30 and 60 miles routes that display, let's call it the Full Gamut.

June 22, 2018

Central Vt Cycle tour this Sunday! Spent today baking up a raft of goodies - and winning the 'longest register tape at Shaws' award, we've been informed.

June 16, 2018

This is exactly what we're excited about doing here at CVTA - take forgotten pockets of space that are passed by every day and make them into little moments of joy for all. And, free ice cream. This Tuesday June 19 there will be a celebration of the new pocket park at the bike path bridge in Montpelier, with live music and free ice cream from (Friends of the Trail) Artesano. The park is the brainchild of Mayor Anne Watson and architect Ward Joyce. Read all about it at Times-Argus.

photoofMontpelierParkletbyJeffBrodeurTimesArgus

June 16, 2018

There's a public meeting for input on possibility of connecting the Williston and South Burlington bike paths over Muddy Brook. CVTA Board member Ben Rose says: "Over the decades I have run and bicycled across the Muddy Brook crossing countless times, and it is always scary. There will never be a better opportunity to improve the bicycle/pedestrian connectivity between Williston and South Burlington!" The road crossing of the brook is surely being built, but whether or not bike path is also a part of the project is not for sure. The first meeting for public input is this Tuesday, June 19, 2018 – 8:00 P.M. at the Williston Town Hall, 7900 Williston Rd, Williston, VT. This is our chance to put in a good word for bike/ped infrastructure and get it included in the larger project. Meeting announcement from Town of Williston (PDF). And read more background from our initial posts on Muddy Brook.

conceptual design trail with road

June 11, 2018

Spent the weekend cutting back spring flush of knotweed, honeysuckle and (sigh) poison ivy crowding trails; and digging out ditches (which is the best part). Also, noticed that Lovers Lane in Moretown is now "Hooper Lane" - which is reasonable, but it doesn't change that we still love the old iron truss bridge there!

Americorps members Lovers Lane Bridge

May 28, 2018

CVTA's Americorps crew are starting their summer season - we'll be out on the trail most weekends for the next several months, drop in any time, give a shout to learn more! Last weekend, we helped a little with the ongoing reconstruction of the log bridge on Mallory Brook Trail.

Men discuss how to build a bridge Americorps member assembles log bridge Man poses on log bridge

May 20, 2018

He ran across Vermont in one day! Rob Rives finished his cross state run this morning, following the route of the Cross Vt Trail through the night to the shores of Lake Champlain as the sun rose. That was a cool thing to see.

Rob Rives runs across Vt Rob Rives runs across Vt Rob Rives runs across Vt Rob Rives runs across Vt Rob Rives runs across Vt Rob Rives runs across Vt

May 16, 2018

WCAX Channel 3 News ran a story last night about the big Thru-Run coming up this weekend, and efforts to complete the statewide Cross Vermont Trail. Great to get a chance to tell our story on the big stage! Folks at the station seemed bemused but tolerant. Link to the story on WCAX website.

WCAXnews-screenshot WCAXnews-screenshot

May 17, 2018

Running the entire Cross Vermont Trail in 24 hours? Rob Rives is going for it this weekend, starting in Wells River Noon on Saturday and arriving at Oakledge Park Sunday morning in what will surely be the Fastest Known Time for a XVT thru-run. We'll be talking about the run today on WCAX (a little after 5:30, they say) and then look out for more coverage on CAX this weekend. Thanks Rob for helping to spread the news about all our work to complete a state wide network of community trails - go go go!

superman running on trail

May 16, 2018

Well that was quick. Leaves are out now.

Joined the Richmond Trails Committee for a "working meeting" on the Preston Forest Legacy trails.

trail with green trees building boardwalk building boardwalk boardwalk

May 5, 2018

Green Up Day on the railtrail from Kettle Pond to Marshfield Village. The game was, could we make the pile of garbage taller than their dad? And . . . we did! A win of a kind.

cleaning up trash cleaning up trash cleaning up trash heron pond

April 21, 2018

Weather cleared beautifully for clean up day on trail along Winooski in Waterbury. Trail looks good for Spring!

trail  clean up volunteers

April 5, 2018

Spring Hike in Wells River this Saturday.

Green Mt Club (Ottauquechee Section) is leading a spring hike on the Cross Vt Trail and the Wells River nature trails. Meeting at Thetford park and ride at 9 AM (April 7), carpooling up to where the rail trail meets Rt 302 just east of Blue Mt Union, and exploring the trails and along the river from there. All are welcome!

Wells River Hiking Group on XVT

March 11, 2018

Warm days and cold nights.

The big new maple sugar lines along the VAST trail in Marshfield have antennas. They get reception in Marshfield!?

maple sugar lines and trail maple sugar lines and trail maple sugar lines and trail maple sugar lines and trail maple sugar lines and trail maple sugar lines and trail maple sugar lines and trail maple sugar lines and trail

March 6, 2018

Thank you to Middlesex for voting YES at Town Meeting!

We are ON the March 2018 Middlesex town meeting agenda. This is a one time ask for a dollar per resident contribution for the Winooski Bridge and U-32 trails project. Contribution will be matched by all the other U-32 towns and also Montpelier and Plainfield. Are you a Middlesex resident? We need your help! Don't hesitate to Contact Us with any questions or thoughts about the Cross Vermont Trail project, and this request for town funding.

January 18, 2018

We made it to the next step! We are on the Middlesex town meeting ballot for March 2018. Thanks to 95 Middlesex residents, lead by the members of the town Conservation Commission, for successfully petitioning to have the Cross Vt Trail Winooski Bridge and U-32 trails funding request included. It was big effort and will make a big difference. A contribution from Middlesex would be matched by Montpelier, and be joined by contributions already made by all the other U-32 towns plus Plainfield - and will help us finish fundraising and start building the keystone piece of the Cross Vermont Trail!

trail bridge with rocket

January 1, 2018

Pleasant once we had sprinted to the shelter of the trees, great views of Noyes Pond in Ansel Adams glory. First Day Hike this morning at Seyon Lodge in Groton State Forest.

Stay tuned for rescheduled date of larger event at Seyon to be held later this winter.

2018 First Day Hike view of Noyes Pond view of Noyes Pond trailhead sign

December 30, 2017

***WEATHER CAUSED CHANGES TO FIRST DAY EVENT***

The big event at Seyon will be RESCHEDULED to a later date, when the weather is more welcoming. This is the bike demos, the multiple guided trips, and the waffles as well. Stay tuned for notice of the new date . . . when the oracles clarify.

However, if you feel prepared for the cold cold weather, and would still like to explore the trails at Noyes Pond (Seyon Lodge) in Groton State Forest, on New Years Day, there are two options . . . 1.) We will meet at 11 AM for a simple snowshoe hike, we can customize the hike to how the attendees feel, and with an eye on the weather. 2.) For fatbiking, the trails at Seyon are open to the public in any case. It is a State Park and there is a modest fee to use the trails.

You can see more info at the State Park First Day page and general info about Seyon Lodge at their page.

thermometer below zero at noon

October 29, 2017

Costume photos from today's Onion River Sports Halloween 5K fun run; this year a benefit for the Cross Vt Trail. Thanks guys! and gals, and wookies, and tigers, and caped crusaders, and one four person anthropamorphic s'more sandwich, and fleetfooted Diana the Huntress. (Click here for full size images.)

costume fun run costume fun run costume fun run costume fun run costume fun run costume fun run costume fun run costume fun run costume fun run costume fun run costume fun run costume fun run costume fun run costume fun run costume fun run costume fun run costume fun run costume fun run costume fun run costume fun run costume fun run costume fun run costume fun run costume fun run costume fun run costume fun run costume fun run costume fun run costume fun run costume fun run

October 26, 2017

Central Vermont Back Road Bike Tours UPDATE. Do you have a favorite Washington County ride you'd like to share? The Central Vt Chamber of Commerce is embarking on a long due update of their popular, free, back road bike tour guide. And they'd like to hear from you!

Contact Tonya Barnett at the Central VT Chamber. (802) 229-5711 or www.centralvt.com.

bike route brochure cover

October 24, 2017

Polish on the little bypass of the "big blowout" (east of Rt 14 on the railtrail) this past weekend. Now to settle in and plan for much bigger work next year - stabilizing and restoring the stream, and making a bypass trail that matches up better with the railbed (wide, smooth, gradual yet still swoopy rest assured).

bridge with rails marking closed section of trail trail information sign trail map

October 19, 2017

So, the irony is that when it's a railtrail it doesn't need rails, but when it's a bypass of a railtrail it's got to have rails. It's just that, I wish it made more sense. Anyway, join us this Saturday to put rails on the little bypass bridge, and to contemplate the future of the 'Big Blowout' on the railtrail in East Montpelier.

small trail bridge

October 8, 2017

We're starting to make plans for a long term solution to the Big Washout in East Montpelier, the site of CVTA's most recent permanent easement. Engineering students from Norwich were on site this weekend, taking measurements, names, etc. We also had help from UVM students, whose liberal arts skills were to put to use (making erudite small talk while) shoveling out ditches.

engineering students help on trail engineering students help on trail engineering students help on trail men with shovels

October 6, 2017

We are fixing the big washout. On the rail trail in East Montpelier, east of Rt 14. CVTA has purchased a permanent easement allowing us to repair the railbed or to build a sustainable long lasting by pass trail. We're making plans now - you can have say, give a call. We're doing visits to the site (and volunteer work parties) on Oct 7 and Oct 21. Also, we're doing our first attempt at a formal use count on this section of trail - super scientific, easy work, more hands the better, give a call if interested.

trail washout

October 1, 2017

Fall Foliage Ride - 20th annual - was a good time yesterday; into the teeth of the seasonal weather. Advice from one young rider: ride is not so bad if after going over an actual river and through actual woods the trail then does in fact go by your actual grandmother's house, where you can recuperate and be rewarded. (Click here for full size images.)

2017 xvt foliage ride 2017 xvt foliage ride 2017 xvt foliage ride 2017 xvt foliage ride 2017 xvt foliage ride 2017 xvt foliage ride 2017 xvt foliage ride

September 20, 2017

Montpelier's public spaces Beautification Bandit strikes again, along the bike path. That's a spot that needed it, nice!

trailside kiosk trailside kiosk trailside kiosk trailside kiosk trailside kiosk

September 11, 2017

XVT summer vol crew made a big dent in the steep - "wait, what?, uh-oh" - section of Telephone Line Trail in Groton State Forest. (Click here for full size images.)

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July 16, 2017

Scarfing the joints for the Mallory Brook log bridge rebuild on East Montpelier Trail.

prepping log scarfs with chainsaw single bit axe in action double bit axe in action broad axe in action

July 15, 2017

Tenney Memorial Library's Family Outdoor Adventure Group heads out on the Blue Mt nature trails and XVT, what a great day for a hike!

group of hikers look at sign

July 14, 2017

Pleasant, muddy morning with a large group of volunteers from the Conservation Alliance of businesses; big dose of good deeds for the Civilian Conservation Corps history trail at Little River State Park. And yes, Cucumber Soda was served with lunch, quite properly.

people in front of trail ditch men in muddy ditch woman with muddy gloves cucumber soda

July 10, 2017

Moving up the logs for the Mallory Brook Bridge rebuild on the East Montpelier Trail. More to come next Saturday as big-little-bridge-month crescendos.

man with pulp hook logs
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