Lamoille Valley Rail Trail 9:30 am B/2/33

Tuesday, September 14, 2021

The eastern end of the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail runs about 16.5 miles from St. Johnsbury to Danville, ending at Joe's Pond.  This is part of an ongoing aggressive project to establish the longest continuous rail trail in New England, stretching 93 miles across Vermont from St. Johnsbury to St. Albans. A new 6.5 mile section at the western end opened up last week. More is underway, we will ride this entire system as early as next fall!

The surface is hard packed smooth stone dust, in really good condition. There are tunnels and bridges, lots of forest, good views of the Vermont hillsides and some lakeside biking. 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 good for this out-of-the-valley-experience. 

The surface is fine for most bikes.  The trail climbs gradually all the way to Danville, a gradual climb. The downhill trip back, however, is a hoot!  It is certainly the easiest, flattest way to travel east-west across any part of Vermont!! A Thank You to the railroad designers, and surveyors.

Check out the website:  www.lvrt.org

Round trip we will have a 33 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 lunch or stop at the General Store or food truck (if open on weekdays) in Danville. 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 minute drive.

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