Greetings Trails Enthusiasts,
It is wonderful to be hearing from so many community members who are interested in promoting non-motorized trail access to the Mascoma Valley. I certainly look forward to working with you and hearing more ideas regarding trails as we move forward with the Mascoma Trails Project.
Our next mission will be to share knowledge of GPS use so we can make short work of mapping out the trails in the Mascoma Valley that are open for non-motorized recreation. As you may know, the UVTA is in the process of uploading trail data from trails in the entire Upper Valley onto a Trail Finder online program. It will be very similar to the program used by Local Motion in the Burlington area. Check out their trail finder at www.localmotion.org/trails/ and get excited about helping to create a similar tool for the Upper Valley (including the Mascoma region!). 
Our goal is to offer GPS trainings for the Mascoma Region in January so that folks can start right away on mapping their favorite trails.
Visit UVHEAL at uvheal.org often to find out the dates of upcoming Mascoma Trails Project events or send me your email address and I’ll email you what is in the works. My email is saracoons@gmail.com.
FYI-below are the 5 priorities for the overall Mascoma Trails Project. Let me know what you think!
1. Hosting a trails forum
2. Supporting initiatives that connect schools with trails and pathways
3. Promoting “benefits of trails” to Mascoma officials
4. Hosting 1+ public trails events, focusing on health and celebrating trails
5. Coordinate with Friends of the Northern Rail Trail to increase perception of rail trail as a route to valid destinations
Sara “…spend time turning things you want to do into things you’ve
done…”
– Submitted by Sara Coons, Mascoma River Valley Trails Project Coordinator, UVTA
Thanks to the UVHEAL partnership for making this work possible
Upper Valley Healthy Eating Active Living Partnership
After many weeks of sign discussion and UV Loop Trail Steering Committee comment review, we’ve come up with six revised signs that we’d like you to consider for the main bikeable hub connecting Hanover and Norwich to the north, with Lebanon and Hartford to the south. As we move forward with improving trail connectivity throughout the valley, we’ll work with communities, organizations and trail advocates to get more off road trail connections in place for a wide variety of trail users such as walkers, hikers, runners, x-country skiers, and inline skaters.
Many commenters expressed a strong interest to see shared path signage. In Lebanon there is already discussion underway to consider a shared multi-use path along a portion of Mt. Support Rd. and in time with your support, more walkable and bikeable trail facilities will be created. 
Several people are interested in seeing a walking symbol Vs backpacking hikers used to represent many of the pedestrian trails in the region. Heading out on a short local trail does not require the same level of preparation as does a day trip to the White Mountains where a backpack and supplies is important for safety and to ensure an enjoyable outing. See walker and other pictograms in the recently approved 2009 edition of the U.S.A. Transportation Department’s Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices – look at page 799 through 800.
To complete the marking of the bikeable loop, 
here are six sign possibilities to consider. The new 2009 MUTCD standards require a green oval with bike above a unique route designation, or additionally, they can have an area at the top of the green oval shaded white and contain a unique pictograph and/or words for any jurisdiction. If you’d like to share your preference, consider them numbered 1 to 3 in top row, and 4 through 6 in the bottom row. Click the signs on right to open larger image for improved viewing and use the “Leave a reply and submit comment” features in this blog to share your feedback.
Send us a sign idea to john.taylor@uvtrails.org and we’ll gladly consider posting it to this blog,
As the Upper Valley Trails Alliance moves forward on our new Trail Finder project, volunteers are being prepared to capture trail information. In the past week we’ve held workshops for eight new Trail Surveyors. Participants learned how to use a GPS unit (Global Positioning System) to collect digital paths and special features along a trail. Digital cameras were used to record features that will be helpful for future visitors of Trail Finder 
and notes were taken to capture trail details. Pictures of trailheads and trail junctions will be added to the online map database to help trail users prepare for their visit. If you see someone holding a yellow GPS, and writing some notes on a clip board, you’re likely seeing one of our new Trail Surveyor volunteers. Please thank them for helping to make trail information more accessible in the Upper Valley. If you’d like to be part of this exciting project, e-mail volunteer@uvtrails.org, and we’ll sign you up for our next Volunteer Trail Surveyor workshop. No time to volunteer? You can help out with this exciting project by donating online today!
Thanks to our partner Local Motion of Burlington, Vt for making this project possible. See their original Trail Finder at localmotion.org
UV Trail Finder funded in part by Vermont’s Recreation Trails Program, UV HEAL, LLBean, and West Lebanon WalMart.
The Mascoma Trails Project’s first event (Dec. 9th) was a snowy success. To the adventurous folks of Canaan and Enfield, who came out despite wintery weather to join our discussion on trails in Mascoma Valley, thank you!
Wednesday night’s Trails Forum was a very rewarding event where interested folks had a chance to find out about the great opportunities in the works for trails.
Kurt Gotthardt proudly showed off his map of Enfield Trails. Forum attendees were excited to soon have a clear guide to hiking opportunities in Enfield.
The Canaan Conservation Commission shared ideas for trails in the Mascoma Town Forest, and lively discussion ensued regarding other possible “destinations” off of the Northern Rail Trail.
John Taylor and Peter Helm brought expertise from UV Trails Alliance and UV Land Trust, respectively, regarding working with landowners, the need for volunteers for maintenance and building projects, and large scale trail projects already underway.
The overall need for more publications about trails was expressed, as well as the need for volunteer trail maintainers to keep the existing trails in the Mascoma Valley open. As the Mascoma Trails Project proceeds, we will continue to lay the infrastructure to meet both of those needs.
It was great to meet all of you, and please keep watch for more information about upcoming trails events in the Mascoma region.
Submitted by Sara Coons, UVTA Coordinator for the Mascoma Valley Trails Project. saracoons@gmail.com
Thanks to the UVHEAL partnership for making this work possible
Upper Valley Healthy Eating Active Living Partnership
There’s loads of possibilities for trail signage but what will be the best fit for the Upper Valley Loop Trail.
The Upper Valley Loop Trail Steering Committee will be looking at several sign ideas later this month to identify both regulatory requirements and aesthetic appeal of the options.
There is a document that was prepared by the Federal Highway Administration regarding sign standards. Both New Hampshire and Vermont have adopted these standards so any sections of road side trail options will need to follow the MUTCD document (Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices). Proposed Amendments may provide a few other possiblities that we have incorporated into some of these Upper Valley Loop Trail signs. When trails located are away from these highways, often the “skies the limit” for sign design. However, it’s always best to use some standards to provide consistent communications for the trail user. What are your thoughts? Which of these nine signs do you like? (For numbering purposes, consider Top-left as 1, and Bottom right as 9).
Initially using existing infrastructure the Loop Trail will provide on-road and off-road opportunities for bicyclists and pedestrians for recreation and transportation. Over time, more off road trails will be connected to create a wonderful network of trails – some for walkers and hikers, some for bicycles, and some as multi-use paths. Trails Connect!
The Upper Valley Trails Alliance presented a great tour of Upper Valley Bike-Ped-Trail facilities earlier this month in collaboration with the Hanover Bike/Pedestrian Committee, Lebanon Pedestrian and Bicycling Advisory Committee, and the NH Department of Transportation’s Bike-Ped Department.
Over fifty people participated in the tour. Read about some of the comments and ideas that participants shared as we road bicycles through the valley. What ideas do you think are key to a great system of inter-connected trails, bike paths, bike lanes and walking routes? How can the Route 120 corridor from Etna Rd. to Route 10 be improved for bike-ped-trail needs?
From new bridges to improved paths, there’s always a lot going on in the world of Upper Valley trails. Thanks to the efforts of dedicated organizations and individuals for improving local trails over the past few months. Here are a few efforts that took place this summer and fall:
Lebanon, NH
- In collaboration with Dartmouth College, City of Lebanon, and UVTA, Grant Patenaude’s (BSA Troop 34) Eagle Scout project built a new Lakeside Trail bridge over a 6’ deep ravine in the Boston Lot area.
Tuck students volunteered with UVTA to help UVMBA with trail rerouting and reshaped part of Lakeside Trail
- The Upper Valley Mountain Bike Association (UVMBA) made refinements to a singletrack section of the Lakeside Trail at the Boston Lot and established a new connector linking to Mascoma Street extension. Thanks to UVMBA’s Kevin O’Leary for leading this effort and for making this UVMBA’s primary summer project.
Hanover, NH
- UVTA collaborated with the Hanover Trails Committee, Moose Mountain, Lodge, and Jim Baum to identify future trail connections between Pasture Rd., Moose Mountain Ridge Trail and trails located on the Baum Conservation Area.
- UVTA met with adjacent landowners, organizations and town representatives to determine potential trail connections from the Gile Hill Housing Project to Hanover, DHMC and beyond.
- UVTA led volunteers from Hypertherm to improve the Rinker Tract Trail system with a new side slope trail.
Norwich, VT
- UVTA completed bridge ramps and drainage improvements on the King Arthur Trail with assistance from King Arthur Flour’s volunteer “Cares” team, and Tucker Foundation at Dartmouth “Inter Faith Days of Community Service” volunteers.
- The Norwich Trails Committee and UVMBA continued to harden portions of the Gile Mtn. Trail.
Hartford, VT
- The Vermont Youth Conservation Corps and Hartford’s Park and Recreation Department worked to establish a new trail near Wilder Dam, connecting Kilowatt Field (South) with Kilowatt North.
- The Friends of the Ottauquechee Trail established a new trail section connecting the Quechee Inn to the Quechee Polo Field.
What trail improvements have you been working on this year? Share your group’s efforts on our Roots, Rocks and Mud Blog today.
As the colors of autumn foliage begin to peak, get out on a trail to view the beauty of this natural canvas. As daylight hours shorten, it’s amazing how many hues of orange, red and yellow appear before our eyes. Learn about the trees and their flashy fall foliage.
A few great places to catch a view, include French’s Ledges in Meriden, Wright’s Mtn. in Bradford, and Gile Mtn. in Norwich. Get out and catch the view. Find a new trail experience today.
New trail in Wilder, VT connects Kilowatt Field (Kilowatt South) to the Wilder Picnic Area (Kilowatt North).
Take Depot Street off Rte. 5, cross wooden bridge over railroad tracks, across Passumpsic Ave. to the Wilder Boat Launch (north of field above). Trailhead just left of boat launch – follow blue blazes. Thanks to Vermont Youth Conservation Corps, and Hartford Parks and Rec. for establishing this scenic riverside trail.
GPS Tips and Tricks
by Jonathan Frishtick
Congratulations! You’ve used your GPS unit on a few hikes and bike rides this summer and now that cooler weather is here, you are looking forward to getting out even more. This is a great time of year to enjoy the outdoors. The temps are cool, the bugs are gone and there’s no leaf canopy to interfere with your GPS satellite reception.
Here are some Tips and Tricks to help make using your GPS unit a little easier.
Jonathan Frishtick is a Geographic Information System consultant. He lives at N43˚46’53, W72˚18’09, and can be reached at gis.gps.mapping@gmail.com.
Thanks to grants from the Vermont Recreational Trails Program and the Upper Valley Healthy Eating Active Living Initiative, the Trails Alliance will be bringing you a new way to find wonderful details on local trails. We will be working with trail managers and property owners to create a handy online map. Want to find a trail to a waterfall – search by key word and you’ll soon be on your way to hear and see the aesthetic attributes of cascading water. We’re planning to launch Upper Valley “Trail Finder” next June as part of Trails Day celebrations. Thanks to our partner Local Motion of Burlington , VT for making this possible. See their original Trail Finder at www.localmotion.org.
