Thursday, July 16, 2020
The eastern end of the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail runs about 17 miles from St. Johnsbury to Joe's Pond in Danville. It is part of a project that is patching together pieces of the rail line to eventually establish the longest continuous rail trail in New England, stretching about 100 miles across Vermont from St. Johnsbury to St. Albans.
The surface is hard packed smooth stone dust. There are tunnels and bridges, lots of forest, good views of the Vermont hillsides and some lakeside biking. Dan's Pond is a good place for a swim. When we have done the trail in the past there were bikers, pedestrians, dog walkers, and horses out enjoying the trail. The weather forecast looks perfect for this out-of-the-valley-experience. Escape from the local traffic!!
The surface is fine for most bikes. Skinny tired road bikes have been used on this trail, only a few soft spots located at a few road crossings need some care. If you have a hybrid or bike with wider tires, a mountain bike, all will be fine on this trail. The trail climbs gradually all the way to Joe's Pond. The downhill trip back is a hoot!
Check out the website: www.lvrt.org
Round trip we will have a 34 mile car-free adventure!
Time: Ready to ride at the Lamoille Valley Rail Trailhead at 9:30 am. It is about 1 hour 15 minute drive. No porta-potty at the trailhead, so stop at the Welcome to Vermont Visitor's Center on the right side of Route 93 soon after you cross the CT River.
Carpool? If you like, meet at Attitash parking lot, far end away from the lifts, at 8:00 am to carpool, otherwise, meet at the trailhead in St Johnsbury.
The eastern end of the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail runs about 17 miles from St. Johnsbury to Joe's Pond in Danville. It is part of a project that is patching together pieces of the rail line to eventually establish the longest continuous rail trail in New England, stretching about 100 miles across Vermont from St. Johnsbury to St. Albans.
The surface is hard packed smooth stone dust. There are tunnels and bridges, lots of forest, good views of the Vermont hillsides and some lakeside biking. Dan's Pond is a good place for a swim. When we have done the trail in the past there were bikers, pedestrians, dog walkers, and horses out enjoying the trail. The weather forecast looks perfect for this out-of-the-valley-experience. Escape from the local traffic!!
The surface is fine for most bikes. Skinny tired road bikes have been used on this trail, only a few soft spots located at a few road crossings need some care. If you have a hybrid or bike with wider tires, a mountain bike, all will be fine on this trail. The trail climbs gradually all the way to Joe's Pond. The downhill trip back is a hoot!
Check out the website: www.lvrt.org
Round trip we will have a 34 mile car-free adventure!
Time: Ready to ride at the Lamoille Valley Rail Trailhead at 9:30 am. It is about 1 hour 15 minute drive. No porta-potty at the trailhead, so stop at the Welcome to Vermont Visitor's Center on the right side of Route 93 soon after you cross the CT River.
Carpool? If you like, meet at Attitash parking lot, far end away from the lifts, at 8:00 am to carpool, otherwise, meet at the trailhead in St Johnsbury.
Bring snacks and/or lunch or stop at the General Store. Maybe the food truck at Joe's Pond will be there. We can eat at picnic tables on the beach at Joe's Pond. Bring swim clothes if you like.
Directions:
Take Route 302 over Crawford Notch towards Bethlehem and get onto Route 93 north to Vermont. At the Route 91 interchange, go north on 91 for a very short distance, hardly off the entrance ramp. Take this first exit, Exit 20, Route 5, then take a right at the end of the ramp and go a short distance, noticing the sign for the bike path on the right. It is called Railroad Street or Main Street depending on map. Take the right and then immediate right again down a short steep slope into the trailhead parking lot. It is a very quick succession of right, right, right, right. The map app says it is a 1 hour 15 minutes drive.
A fun group on the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail, back when we could be socially close!!
A fun group on the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail, back when we could be socially close!!
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