Author: Matt

We haven’t posted any updates in quite a while, simply because there haven’t been any updates to post.  Trails remain closed.  So why an update now?

Gates have now been closed.  Ground is no longer frozen, temps are warm, valley is bare and even the national forest trails that had some snow, have mostly lost their base, anything that is left is ice.

We’ve even had some stakes pulled by request of the landowner.

If we had some freak storm and were to get enough snow to ride, we will post any updates.  I expect at best, only our National Forest section of trails would be re-opened.

Landowner dinner will be our next (and only) event this season.  Once we have details, we’ll post them.

And remember, just because there may be no riding, doesn’t mean the businesses you’d ride to don’t still need your support.  Too many people look at a year like this and don’t buy a TMA and don’t come to Vermont.  If we don’t support VAST and the clubs and businesses that we enjoy EVERY year, they may not be here in the years that follow.

As we expected, this weeks weather was not good and we are officially closing our trails until we get more snow.  We’ll post here once conditions allow us to re-open the trails.  We will be starting over in many areas unfortunately, hopefully some snow was able to hold on higher up.  We’re not even at the half way point in the season yet, so there’s plenty of time to ride still, we just need the snow!

Much of our trails are in decent shape with some in poor shape.  How well they hold up is going to depend heavily on the weather and traffic over the next few warmer days.  The best sections of our trails are in the National forest.  We also groomed today out to RD 59 via 100S and then back via Alt-100 to RD4, then a bit past RD3 up towards Ted Green Ford where we turn around.  A good portion of that trail, specifically out towards RD59 is in decent to good shape.  The other sections are in fair shape.  Between RD4 and RD3 is much better then it was, but we still need more snow – This likely is the best connector North/South at this time.  As always, ride with caution and expect variable conditions.

Grooming out towards RD59 with a view of Killington.

Our trails are now open.  These are very early conditions still.  Use caution and if you come across a gate that is still closed, turn around.  I believe most have been opened, but not all and if you go into another clubs territory and their gate is closed, then their trails are still closed.

As of Sunday 1/17, trails had a new coat of snow – more in some areas then others.  Expect Ice, rocks, open water bars, running water, mud and other hazards.  While the trails are open, riding is not recommended until we get a little more snow and/or the groomer has been out to groom.  Best area to ride is in the National forest – we’ve got the most snow there at this time.

We had one of the best seasons I can remember!  Thanks for all the hard work to our volunteers for making it happen and especially for all the unfortunate hard work we had to do clearing the trails early in the season!  Let’s hope we have as much snow next year!

It’s amazing how good things were up high just last week.  Here’s a pic from last Saturday at North pond!

Don’t forget, landowners dinner is next Saturday.  Make sure to RSVP by this weekend!  And equally important, just because the season is over, doesn’t mean the work is.  If you can help, just email us at info@tweedvalleytravelers.com.  Dot does so much work taking the trail markers down..etc She could always use help!