Roots, Rocks & Mud

Trail “Sign” Language

uvtrails — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 17:45:49 +0000

Trail “Sign” Language

Balancing aesthetics and information to help you find, follow, and enjoy Upper Valley trails

Wednesday, February 15, 2012 – 6 to 8 p.m.
Location: Tracy Hall, Norwich

What trail signs are out there and what would you like to see?

Trail Names

Rochegude Signpost, Provence Region of France - Photo by Barbara McIlroy

Painted Blazes/Disks

Destinations

Permitted Uses

Travel Times

Distance Markers

Trail Ethics/Rules

Map Boxes/Kiosks

Trail Maintainer/Ownership Info

Electronic Map Codes (QR codes)

Join in on a two hour presentation and discussion as we explore the multitude of Upper Valley trail sign possibilities and help plan for future trail enjoyment.

Presented by Upper Valley Trails Alliance

Please E-mail John.Taylor@uvtrails.org to register.

Won’t be long before….Lake Morey Winter Weekend 2012 is here

uvtrails — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 19:55:29 +0000

The Hulbert Outdoor Center, Lake Morey Resort, and the Upper Valley Trails Alliance are busy working to provide you another great Lake Morey Winter Weekend. Almost as fast as a blink of an eye, you’ll find that three months have past since I wrote this post and Lake Morey will be frozen, snow will blanket the surrounding hillsides, and another great festive occassion will be taking place – Celebrating Winter and the New Year.

Enjoy ice skating, snowshoeing, x-country skiing, winter camping and ice-fishing demos, story-telling, dog-sled demos, local musicians, great food, and more.

January 7th – Skate-a-thon at Lake Morey Resort – Upper Valley Trails Alliance fundraiser on the longest outdoor skating trail in the country. Try out Nordic Skating and see how many laps you can skate?

January 7th – Winter Skills Day at Hulbert Outdoor Center – Learn or hone some special outdoor skills with the help of craftsmen and outdoor experts.

January 8th – WinterFest at Hulbert Outdoor Center – Loads of fun winter activities celebrating all that our colder snowy season has to offer.

Lake Morey Winter Weekend poster 2012

Event Details: Winter Weekend PSA 2012

Vermont’s first Appalachian Trail Community

uvtrails — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 00:29:28 +0000

Dear Friend of the Appalachian Trail,

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy and the Norwich A.T. Community committee would like to invite you to participate in a hike and celebration event on Sunday September 18 in Norwich, VT. Please see this notice for more information. You can also find out more about ATC’s thriving Appalachian Trail Community program at this link: http://www.appalachiantrail.org/what-we-do/community-engagement

We hope to see you on September 18 in Norwich!

Hawk Hawk Metheny, New England Regional Director, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, 158 Sweetwater Drive, White River Junction, VT 05001

Phone: 802.295.1514 Fax: 802.295.1514 Skype:

hawk.methenyhmetheny@appalachiantrail.orgwww.appalachiantrail.org

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s mission is to preserve and manage the Appalachian Trail – ensuring that its vast natural beauty and priceless cultural heritage can be shared and enjoyed today, tomorrow, and for centuries to come. To become a member, volunteer, or learn more, visit www.appalachiantrail.org.

Golden Spike Celebration on the Northern Rail Trail

uvtrails — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 19:00:13 +0000

July 31st: Over 150 people gathered in Danbury , NH to celebrate the completion of a new rail trail section that now links the Grafton and Merrimack County portions of the Northern Rail Trail – resulting in NH’s longest rail trail at 46-miles in length. To commemorate this achievement, a ribbon was cut to open a new 8.5 mile trail section, and a golden spike was hammered into the railbed to signify and celebrate the joining of the Northern Rail Trail sections.

Thanks to the Friends of the Northern Rail Trail groups in Grafton and Merrimack County, the Andover Snowmobile Club, Twin State Snowbusters, the NH Trails Bureau, NH DOT’s Rail Bureau, and the many businesses and volunteers that pitched in to make this trail acheivement possible.

Dick Mackay, Friends of the Northern Rail Trail, Grafton County, nudges the golden spike into the old rail bed with the help of a sledge. Photo by Tom Frantz

Bicyclist enjoys the rail trail while NH Councilor Ray Burton, and Mike Loomis, FNRT Merrimack Co. board member, take a ride in Mike’s pedal-powered car. Photo by Tom Frantz

The Kearsarge Community Band are joined by members of the Upper Valley Community Band and the Hopkinton Town Band to perform some celebratory tunes! Photo by Tom Frantz

Visitors site back and listen to Robert Ward, FNRT Merrimack Co. President, share the history of the Concord to Lebanon railroad, and the construction of Northern Rail Trail.

Signing the LOOP

uvtrails — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 19:20:26 +0000

Recent article about the Upper Valley LOOP Trail focuses on need for safer bike and pedestrian options in the Upper Valley.

While the recently signed on-road “Upper Valley Bike LOOP” route provides the safest option available for traveling by bicycle between Norwich, Hartford, Lebanon and Hanover, there are many areas where improvements would be welcomed by pedestrians and riders. Last years widening of road shoulders along Route 5 have made it much safer for adults to travel by bicycle between Norwich and Hartford, however, more off-road improvements would help families find viable safe options to travel without having to rely on cars. The Wilder Multi-use Path, considered an alternate off-road LOOP Trail section paralleling Route 5, is a good example of how a path that is separated from the road will attract regular use by many types of trail users – parents pushing strollers, riders going to and from school or their homes, runners heading out to stay fit, and more. As new housing is being completed and occupied on Mount Support Road in Lebanon, those residents will be looking for better options to travel to nearby workplaces such as DHMC, Centerra Plaza, and downtown Lebanon – a proposed off-road path will be a wonderful improvement for that portion of the LOOP Trail. Maybe it is also time to consider the values of installing a bike and pedestrian bridge as a transportation spur between Mount Support Road near David’s House across Route 120 to Centerra Plaza? Maybe buses could even use this new bridge? The tough part in all this planning and implementation is balancing costs and needs of the community and the reality that much of the land needed to improve the system is held privately - negotiations, agreements, and, land purchases (where necessary), take time and money.

The Upper Valley Trails Alliance continues to work with area Bike and Pedestrian Committees, trail organizations, and trail advocates to design and complete many trail improvements. A mix of earth paths, packed gravel-surfaced trails, on-road or off-road bike lanes, and Multi-use paths, combined with sidewalks, Park and Rides, and bus routes, will result in the most cost effective means to create an inter-connected Upper Valley Transportation and Recreation Network that meets everyones needs.

What sections of the LOOP Trail need attention and why?

Upper Valley Trails Day – Thanks!

uvtrails — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 18:58:35 +0000

Pitching in on Lyme Trails Day

Thanks to over 20 trail groups, Upper Valley Trails Day was another great success with:

new bog bridges being built, trail links cleared, winter and spring blow-downs removed, group led rides and hikes took place, and trails in general were made ready for the busy summer season.

Thanks to all those that organized the events and special thanks to those that pitched in to keep the Upper Valley trail network in great shape. Hundreds of participants had a great time learning new trail skills or experiencing some fun times on trails.

Here’s a few pictures from Trails Day, June 4th, 2011. Send yours to john.taylor@uvtrails.org for posting. Photos of Lyme Trails Day by Elizabeth Kilmarx, and Northern Rail Trail orchid by Jane Taylor.

Pucheon Repair - Lyme Trails Day

Clearing Spring Growth - Lyme trails

Tire Pressure's Just Right!

Ready for a Northern Rail Trail Ride - Canaan, NH

Rider Stops to View Pink Lady Slippers

June 4th is Upper Valley Trails Day – Get Outside!

uvtrails — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 16:52:54 +0000

There’s lots to do in the Upper Valley on Trails Day. You can explore hilltops, pitch in with a trail care team, ride the rail trail, Race to the Top of Bradford, take to the Connecticut River Water Trail by kayak, or experience local foods and fun hikes at Trek to Taste. Be part of Trails Day by participating at one of these great events. Note: There has been a change in meeting location for the Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway workday…new details below:

Workday/National Trails Day on the Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway
June 4, 2011 – 8:30am
National Trails Day- Washington NH, Meet at the Town Hall & Church in the center of Washington on Rt 31 at 8:30 sharp. We’ll be sending crews to the North side of Lovewell Mt to learn how to install some stone steps, reroute some water and general trail erosion repairs. Warning- Plan on bugs… Leaders are Pete Martin and Matt Contorchick. For more details contact : Tim Symonds <TSymonds@patchbays.com>

Recently added events include river outings with Bold Path Adventure Travel, Wells River Conservation Trails workday, and a Seminar introducing you to DOC’s Appalachian Trail Boundary Program (see below for details).

Get out and have some fun!

Help to get trails ready for the summer season.

Details from Nicole Hastings on DOC’s AT Boundary Program Seminar:

9 – 11:30 a.m.

Conference Room, Robinson Hall, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH

Like to hike? Interested in volunteering? Celebrate National Trails day and attend this informational free seminar to learn about the Dartmouth Outing Club’s Appalachian Trail Boundary Program.

There will be a presentation followed by a short hike.

You’ll need:
- hiking boots
- a love of nature
- an interest in A.T. Corridor Stewardship
- a smile

* There are 8 open slots for this seminar.

* Please feel free to invite others who you think may find this of interest.

Thank you and I hope to see you there!

Best Regards,
Nichole Hastings
Appalachian Trail Monitor Coordinator
Dartmouth Outing Club
Dartmouth College
nichole.l.hastings@gmail.com
(802)332-6615

Get in Motion: Bike the Northern Rail Trail

uvtrails — Thu, 26 May 2011 16:49:13 +0000

National Trails Day 6/4/11 announcement

Get in Motion: Bike the Northern Rail Trail—the longest rail trail in New Hampshire– June 4, 2011. 9 towns, multiple rides to celebrate National Trails Day

Saturday, June 4, is National Trails Day. The Upper Valley Trails Alliance and the Friends of the Northern Rail Trail in both Grafton and Merrimack Counties are organizing 7 rides along the 46-mile length of the Northern Rail Trail, between Lebanon and Franklin to celebrate the joining of the Grafton and Merrimack sections of the trail.

Each ride will be organized individually by different leaders but will add up to cover the Rail Trail that connects Franklin, Andover, Wilmot, Danbury, Grafton, Orange, Canaan, Enfield and Lebanon. All rides will start at 10 am.

The round-trip rides include: Dick Mackay will ride from the Community Center in Lebanon to Enfield and back. John Taylor of the Upper Valley Trails Alliance will ride to Danbury from Canaan. Ken Warren will ride from Enfield to Canaan. Alex Bernhard will lead a ride from Potter Place to Danbury. Lindy and Craig Heim will ride from Wilmot to the North and South. Tom Frantz will cover from Potter Place to Webster Lake. Steve Rayno will ride from Chance Pond Road to Ice House Lane in East Andover.

Plan to celebrate this wonderful resource on National Trails Day with your friends and neighbors along its 46 mile length Saturday, June 4^th. Rain date: 10 am, same starting locations, Sunday, June 5.

Ride departure times and places will be found on these sites or click here:

http://www.facebook.com/FNRTNH

Upper Valley Trails Alliance: uvtrails.org

Friends of the Northern Rail Trail in Grafton County: northernrailtrail.org

Friends of the Northern Rail Trail in Merrimack County: fnrt.org

Find the time and place that suits your schedule and join in!

New Enfield Trails Map

uvtrails — Tue, 17 May 2011 23:54:54 +0000

In spring 2010 new Enfield Trail Maps became available. Copies are still being sold at Enfield Town office.

Interested in having your own personal map of Enfield Trails?
Just $2.00 each
Now available in the Enfield Town Offices during regular office hours:
Monday-Friday
8 AM – 4 PM and Thursdays until 7 PM
Get yours today.

Nice work Kurt G. and Jim T.!

Upper Valley Trails Day 2011- Saturday, June 4th

uvtrails — Mon, 16 May 2011 01:52:11 +0000

Ready to have some fun on trails? Get outside and be part of one of the great Trails Day events happening in communities throughout the Upper Valley.

Whether you like to race, enjoy tasty local food, or want to help prepare trails for the summer season there is something for you on June 4th. Happy Trails!

Choose your favorite event today!

Upper Valley Trails Day is held in conjunction with American Hiking Society’s “National Trails Day”.