A Trail to Connect Two Towns

A fall view from the CVT in Groton State Forest.

The Cross Vermont Trail connect communities along the Winooski and Wells Rivers, from Burlington to Ryegate. At times sharing the route with roads and at times traveling its own path through forests and fields, this four-season trail allows hikers, bikers, skiers, and commuters to connect coordinates on the map.

Being in Washington County, we frequent the portions of the trail that connect Plainfield and Marshfield. This is a particularly beautiful section, especially through Groton State Forest.

The CVT entering Groton State Forest.

Here are some ways to take advantage of the CVT on your bike: 

• Bike to school (Twinfield School students, for example, can access the school by trail from Marshfield or Plainfield)
• Incorporate the CVT into a loop, like I did today or last fall
• Ride from Plainfield Park & Ride out to Groton State Forest and back

Here are some ways to support the CVT:

• Ride the Central Vermont Cycling Tour June 22 with easy, moderate, and advanced options
• Support the Keystone Project, which is the completion of a critical section of trail that gets trail users off of Route 2, by contacting your local representatives in favor of providing transportation funds to the project
  

  

  A bridge crossing Nasmith Brook in Marshfield.

  

  The CVT between Plainfield and Groton is double track with an easy 1-3% grade.

  

  A fall view of Marshfield Mountain from the CVT in Groton State Forest.

  

  The trail east from Nasmith Brook Road in Marshfield.

  
   
  

Sunday Singletrack

My eyes opened just after 6am. You can take the girl out of the workweek, but you can't take the workweek out of the girl, I guess. As my eyes focused on our bedroom window, I could see the light of early morning: more grey than sunshine, more serene than loudly yellow. And as I laid there thinking for a moment, I realized that I had been listening to the most beautiful bird song. This bird had just been singing and singing all along. My days of ornithology are long over, so I have no idea what was singing this song, but it was beautiful: elaborate, trilling, heart-felt. The bird and I both knew it: This was going to be a good day. The sun was preparing to come out, and we were alive and well, ready for anything. I was happily awaiting a hot, strong coffee, a little breakfast, and a rare, wonderful thing: a weekend day off with Tristan, with nothing to do but go ride our bikes. Yes, it was going to be a good day.

We had lined up a group to join us at Millstone Hill Touring Center. If you have never before been here to ride trails, you should go! I'm not kidding. To be fair, everything you have heard about Millstone riding is right: There are a lot of rocks. It's technical. It's not always flowy. There are a lot of features on those two free-ride trails. But the trails are well-built, there are miles and miles of singletrack, and there is enough terrain to keep any rider entertained. It is technical in a fun way. And yes, it is well worth the price of a day ticket ($10) - or season pass ($40). As eight of us pedaled away from the parking lot, down a side road, and into the woods, I again knew it: This was going to be good. We had a great group of people and miles of fun singletrack lay before us.


 I won't recount the many trails we rode as we pedaled our way through a 10-mile grand tour of the whole place. Some highlights, though, were Locomotion, Boiler Maker, Fellowship Ring, and Roller Coaster. There's something for everyone here: Locomotion is fast and fun; Boiler Maker throws some challenging spots into the mix; and Fellowship has enough technical sections to keep any rider happy, plus this sweet section of looping flow through a beautiful forest. Roller Coaster, a fun free-ride trail with a major elevation drop and lots of BC-style built features, puts a smile on the face of anyone who rides it. Throughout the day we found several lookouts that afforded sweeping views of the water-filled quarries below and the valleys and hills of central Vermont continuing out from there.

These are the days we live for: surrounded by friends, woods, and bikes; with a few good views to put things into better perspective. There were long-time riders and newbies, including a road cyclist turned mountain biker on his first ever trail ride.

Later that evening, a few of us sat in the corner of a loud, busy apartment full of friends celebrating the thirty-one years of a most wonderful person; we laughed at how we could all snuggle up and go to sleep right there. Our legs were weak and worked, our lungs were raw, our heads were out of it; thankfully we had each other to commiserate and to keep from looking like lonely, wilted wallflowers. We all agreed, this was the best feeling to end a day with: tired, utterly used up and waiting, with a drink in hand, for a delicious spicy meal cooked by someone else. I fell asleep with my belly full, my heart full, and my mind blissfully cleared and at peace. This was a good day.

More beaver ponds than you could shake a stick at.....Wait, what did he just say?

   If there is one single reason I delved into skiing three years ago, simply put, it was to to enjoy the outdoors and glide through the forest enjoying the ups and downs of it all.  As I awoke this Thursday morning, quite groggy  I might add, the first thing that came to mind was to continue skiing somewhere I had left off with Sarah a week ago. Sarah was busy with work, so naturally  I called Mike, the Chong to my Cheech- I'm sure he'll be absolutely flattered with that analogy.

So here it was Groton State Forest on a beautiful bluebird day in Vermont with temps in the 40's?! We used access across the lake into Groton SF. As you make your way across the lake you clearly see the granite cliff of Marshfield Mt. (elev. 2,154 ft). This was where Sarah and I  had left off to ski another day just last week when the temps were in the single digits. Now, however, we found ourselves on great Spring corn snow.




Sarah and I have BC skied at some great spots and more than a few are well guarded or well known for that matter.  Many of these spots need drive time, the info and well, the snow pack to get there. This year has been a bit different from last year and I believe last year had us just a little spoiled....OK more than a little spoiled. As things go here in Vermont, I hear most of you are out there making the best of it, which is all one can do.  One thing we really enjoyed last year especially in our "new" neck of the woods was skiing out the back yard or a short drive a way. This has always been at the core of what we believed in especially when we lived in Montpelier and found ourselves car-less.  Hubbard park was "the" scene as we were often there or in the Worcester Range, a slight distance away. 

A little bush whacking..

One of Mike's first descents although I think Odin may have beat him to it?

The cliffs of Marshfield Mt. 2,154 ft.

For awhile now I've been asking Sarah "Whats that beautiful granite peak in the distance?" and Sarah would say " I don't know - maybe we should find out?!"  After repeatedly asking Sarah and expecting her to know I finally found out myself via the CVT - Cross Vermont Trail - a rails-to-trails bike path venturing East to West across the state of Vermont; still a  work in progress.  Little did I know that one beautiful Fall day last year Mike and I would ride our bikes into Groton  SF and find ourselves at the bottom of that very same granite cliff; Marshfield Mt. So naturally we thought it would be great to ski out there as well,  so here we found ourselves exploring the beautiful ponds, forests and meadows of Groton SF. And I can stop asking Sarah what that mountain is!

The Birch trees were astounding

Groton SF has many places to explore whether on  foot, cycling, snowshoeing, paddling or skiing.  Many trails are multi-use and you will find that the CVT becomes a great avenue in which to explore it.  In winter the CVT becomes a snow mobile trail and is quite popular.

As I said " More beaver ponds than you could shake a stick at"

Access is a very touchy subject, especially here in VT and I think Groton SF is a shining example of what can happen when people come together and coexist. One can only imagine the possibilities when examining the trail system which encompasses Groton SF.  With trails and wonderful destinations such as Boulder Beach, Marshfield Mountain, and Kettle Pond, this is truly a place anyone can enjoy no matter how you choose to explore it.

    If a little adventure is what you seek, no matter the mode, Groton State Forest provides - all that is asked is that you find it for yourself, which is the best part. What ever you seek, however much or little snow you may find, make the most of it and remember: If you're not having fun out there then what the hell good is it anyways? Oh and remember don't take yourself too seriously....it affects your turning ability......, it's scientifically proven...OK maybe not,  just have fun out there!


T.

A Perfect Fall Hike: Spruce Mountain

One of my favorite things to do in the Fall is hike. It's a nice time to take in the scenery with the foliage, and the crisp air makes for more enjoyable hiking weather. In the end of September and early October, many of the days are clear and sunny, and the nights are crystal clear with bright stars and big moons - perfect for night hiking.

Perhaps the most iconic hike in central Vermont is Spruce Mountain in the Groton State Forest (Plainfield, VT) - a favorite of many. This hike is relatively short (2.1 miles each way) and fairly gently graded, with only a few steep sections near the top. And the summit rewards you with beautiful views to the east from a rock outcropping, from which the White Mountains can be seen on a clear, or even partly clear, day. For those with a higher sense of adventure, the rickety old fire tower offers 360 degree views - absolutely stunning when fall foliage is at its peak.

A recent Friday off from work had me heading to the summit of Spruce with four friends (two people and two dogs), and while the foliage was not yet turning, the views were still well worth the effort.

For those in good hiking shape, the hike takes only an hour-and-a-half to two hours round trip (not including time spent taking in the scenery or eating lunch at the top). For more information on this hike and directions to the trailhead, see the most recent edition of the Green Mountain Club's Day Hiker's Guide to Vermont, which can be purchased at Onion River Sports in Montpelier or at your local outdoor gear shop.

Happy Trails!

The Centrifuge at Pine Hill Park

This past Easter, we did our annual ORS ride at Pine Hill Park and I was very much excited when I saw this bridge, though it had not been quite finished. This morning our good friend Mike emailed me this picture to show after weeks of trail work in Pine Hill Park, the  Centrifuge Bridge is done! Get ready to rip!

T.

Hello Summer

The ORS crew celebrated the onset of summer with a spectacular tour of the great riding that Stowe has to offer. From Town Loops to Strawberry Fields to Pipeline, including some quality time spent at the top of Pipeline enjoying the fine brews at Trapp Family Lodge's new brewery. This spot is a must for post- (or during-) ride refreshment! We find it's best if you enjoy your beverage(s) long enough to allow for the woods to get nice and dark, making for a very interesting ride back down! It was a great time and we're looking forward to a summer full of it!

The Brother Jacques; Millstone Hill

Well the pictures pretty much say it all about my tour of Millstone Hill with the Jacques brothers as it pretty much lives up to what I have been saying the last two years; If you haven't ridden here, what are you waiting for? Harrington Heights the newest invention at Millstone Hill is something to get excited about. Pierre Couture's idea with the brothers Jacques trail building vision makes this new trail a wicked ride. A trail built for more advanced riding gives you that high Alpine feel that I have only ever experienced out the Waitsfield valley way. The only difference? you don't have to climb 1,500 ft vertical to get it. With granite spines, bridges and fun challenging drops this new trail keeps your interest no matter what. Still under construction this trail only has more and more to give as the single track turns, corners and granite spines get buffed out. So what are you waiting for, as soon as this monsoon of a season lets up there's no excuse as to where to ride now is there?!

So stop by the new touring center in Websterville and get your day or season pass from Pierre where you can ask and get all the latest buzz and info on where to ride at Millstone Hill.

Get all the beta here.....

Millstone Hill Touring center

Get out and ride

T.

Millstone Hill; get there.

With terrain like this it still amazes me at how many people either don't know about Mill Stone Hill or simply over look it but what is for sure is that they have a friend and supporter in me. In just the last few years things have taken off and the trails seem alive due to one groups tireless efforts in this particular area of single track that Sarah and I chose to explore today and are very fond of. If you haven't checked out Millstone Hill do yourself a favor and get there. I will admit it took me a year to find my way around and discover my favorite trails and link them together, but Mill Stone Hill is sure to please. People are always friendly and sure to help show you around. Stop by the visitor center in Websterville where Pierre Couture can recommend a trail or loop and share some of the local history where one feels like a ride back in time as you tour the many historic Granite quarries that make this area famous. But make no mistake I can foresee its not to long before Mill Stone Hill becomes a bit more famous for their single track rather than their long lost Granite quarries as one need not ride far to discover just what kind of ripping single track is alive and well at... Mill Stone Hill Touring and recreation Center

Oh and don't forget the Mill Stone Grind which gains more and more popularity every year. Andrew Wellman does a phenomenal job organizing and getting this race together. Check it out here.... The Mill Stone Grind

Now get out there and see it for yourself, and keep up the good work guys I'll see you soon enough.

T.