|
|
Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests News Release Contact: Kristi Ponozzo, Public Affairs Officer |
Caring for the Land and Serving People |
||
Forest designating new horse and mountain bike trails.
Find map links at bottom of page.
RUTLAND, VT (Oct. 17, 2008) – Green Mountain National Forest officials are increasing opportunities for equestrian and mountain bike enthusiasts on some of the existing roads and trails throughout the Forest.
Within the Forest, north of Highway 4 in the towns of Goshen and Ripton, the Forest is designating multiple trails for equestrian use.
“These trails were designed and built for snowmobile, ski and mountain bike use and will easily accommodate horse use and will provide important links between existing trails for loop riding opportunities,” said District Ranger Rob Hoelscher.
The following existing trails will be designated and managed for multiple
uses including equestrian use:
1. Forest System Trail (FT) 143.12 from FSR 32 to FT 141 (0.1 miles)
2. FT 141 from FT 143.12 to FT 142 (0.2 miles)
3. FT 142 from FT 141 to FSR 67 (2.3 miles)
4. FT 278 from FSR 32 to FT 142 (1.1 miles)
5. FT 257 from FT 142 to FT 143.08 (3.0 miles)
6. FT 143.08 from FT 257 to FSR 32 (1.1 miles)
Hoelscher also designated forest trail 181, in the town of Ripton, from State Rte 125 to Forest Service Road 92 to include mountain biking as an acceptable use.
In the Forest south of Highway 4, in the towns of Woodford, Glastenbury,
Winhall and Stratton, the following existing trails will be designated and
managed for multiple uses including equestrian:
1. FH6 Kelly Stand Road to FR320 (9.4 miles)
2. FT 381 from FST 385 to Forest System Road (FR)71 (8 miles)
3. FT385 from FT 382 to FR 71 (5.1 miles)
4. FT 386 from State Route 9 to FT 385 (2 miles)
5. FT 382 from State Route 9 to FT 385 (2 miles)
Manchester District Ranger Alex Sienkiewicz also designated forest trail 385, or corridor 7, between Highway 11/30 to forest road 30 and forest trail 369, North Backwood Trail, from the Town of Stratton to forest road 341 as a multiple use trail suitable for mountain bike use.
The Forest asked for comments from the public in March and received more than 600 responses from groups and individuals interested in new trail designation. Comments were used in making the decision.
“During the development of the Forest Plan, many members of the public felt that the Forest did not provide enough trail opportunities for mountain biking and horse back riding” said Sienkiewicz who noted that the Forest is working to provide a diverse range of high-quality sustainable recreation opportunities.
No new trails are being constructed and all trails exceed standards for horse and mountain bike use. Trails will be closed to some uses during the wettest times of the year, typically in the Spring.
The Forest will be working on changing trailhead signs to indicate the designation of the new uses and will be partnering with local organizations to assist with maintenance.
Maps are current as of May, 2009. Horse and mountain bike use of trails is seasonally restricted to the time period from 1 June to 1 November to minimize impacts on soil resources.
North Half Map, Horse and Bike Trails (Middlebury - Goshen area)
South Half Map, Horse and Bike Trails (Manchester - Stratton area)
South Half Map, Horse and Bike Trails (Mt. Tabor - Winhall area)
South Half Map, Horse and Bike Trails (Woodford - Somerset area)
For best viewing of documents on this webpage you may need to download Adobe Acrobat:
Click here to download a free version.