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.

A few months ago the Trails Alliance organized a meeting, held July 10th, to discuss trail and bike/pedestrian connections associated with the new homes at the Gile  Tract in Hanover. We coordinated with the Hanover Trails Committee, Hanover Conservation Council, Hanover Planning Dept., Hanover Bike/Ped. Committee, Twin Pines Housing Trust, Suncook development representative, and Hartland Group Gile Hill project representatives to learn about current project status and learn about possible trail additions and enhancements  A few weeks later, on July 29th, we met with Frank Gould and other state/U.S. representatives from NH and VT, and bike-ped-trail advocates to share information on current and proposed projects that will improve connections through the central communities of the Upper Valley. Doug Deaett, a Hanover Bike/Ped. Committee member, attended these meetings, and expressed an interest to see a Route 120 master plan be completed to address the need for enhanced trail connections, and bike/pedestrian improvements, coupled with conservation groups interests in land conservation of sensitive areas.

Doug’s enthusiasm for a Rte. 120 master planning effort captured the Trails Alliances attention and Doug offered to volunteer for the Trails Alliance to convene stakeholders for a field tour of the Rte. 120 corridor. He has been working diligently over the past two months to organize a  tour with the NH DOT Bike/Pedestrian Coordinators (Larry Keniston and Jerry Moore) and other interested parties on October 15th. There has been so much growing interest that the tour has expanded to include bike/ped. and trail facilities and organizations on both sides of the Connecticut River.

The October_15th_Upper_Valley_Bike,_Walk_Tour_Itinerary, final.

Letter re 120 bike-ped masterplan

Thanks to Hanover Bike/Ped. Committee, the Lebanon Bike-Ped Advisory Committee, and the NH Department of Transportion Bike and Ped. program for  for co-sponsoring this event with the Upper Valley Trails Alliance.  Without Doug’s dedication to organize this event we would not have seen this project come together in such a timely fashion – thanks so much Doug!

Thanks also to the following businesses for their contributions to this important tour:

1.  Residence Marriott has donated their Board Room and beverages for the morning reception.
2.  Lebanon Co-op has donated $50.00 for refreshments for the morning reception.
3.  River Valley Club has donated some free admissions after the ride so we can clean up and relax.

How do you get ready for your outdoor adventures? Taking a few steps to prepare yourself for a walk, hike, run, ski or bike ride will result in a fun outing filled with great memories. Follow these ideas to get started on your next trek. This fall, wear blaze orange, it’s the safe color of choice during VT and NH hunting seasons

Many trails are located on private property – respect landowners’ generosity to provide these fun and useful resources by following signage identifying approved uses.  Remember that not all trails are designed to meet potential impacts from all uses.

 The Trails Alliance will continue to work with community leaders, local organizations, trails advocates and private landowners to improve the regional trail network, and where appropriate, seek to find more off-road trail opportunities for a variety of uses.

Trail sign identifying inappropriate uses.

In this case, hiking and walking are the accepted

 ways to experience the natural settings along

 Montshire Museum trails.

It’s amazing how quickly time has past since helping to organize our first Tour de Taste held in September 2007.  

In additon to the Classic Loop (Fairlee, to Thetford to Lyme to Orford), we added more routes last year that included a family friendly loop around Lake Morey and a more challenging route for longer distance riders. We’ve listened to your comments from 2008 to make 2009 even more fabulous.  We’re pleased to offer you three awesome rides. Each ride is considered it’s own seperate picnic and you’ll find a full offering of great local food along the course you choose.  In addition to the tasty menu items (included in the registration fee), riders will have an opportunity to shop for and purchase goods at select food stops, which will be delivered back to the school at the end of the day. All cyclists enjoy a sweet treat at the end of the ride!

Register today and munch your way along one of these fun and picturesque rides: 

Lake Morey loop – a 6 mile route that’s great for families

Classic Loop – 21 miles

River Road Extension – 34 miles

Here’s some more details including menu and a great route map.

Pick a ride and register today (special rates to July 31st).