On Tuesday, Amy and I took a ride over to Section 26 to scout trail work projects. We drove along the Lamoille River, admiring the brilliant fall foliage as we wound our way up into the hills near the Green River Reservoir.
It was a crisp 47° F as we stepped out of the car to meet Sigh Searles, the local Trail Chief and our guide for the day. Up here the Catamount Trail winds through a patchwork of small, beautiful ponds and brooks. We had come to take a look at two stream crossings in need of bridges, as well as several spots along the trail in need of trimming.
After a short walk in, we came to the first stream. An aging bridge was recently removed, leaving a steep, downhill approach to the crossing.
We looked at several possible approaches, settling on a simple design that would allow skiers to cross the stream and that could also be pulled out at the end of the season. The next stream proved to be a smaller obstacle, but still worth the investment to build a crossing. In a few short weeks we will be back out there with materials and the helping hands to complete these projects. If you are interested in helping install these simple footbridges, get in touch with us at outreach@catamounttrail.org!
The highlight of the day, though, was our visit with Mary Jane Dexter, a long time supporter in the conservation of the Catamount Trail. M.J. warmly invited us in to her home for a friendly chat. We couldn’t stay long, but promised to come back for tea and a longer visit. As we pulled out of her driveway, Amy and I reflected on the many wonderful people who pull together to make the Catamount Trail possible. Thanks Sigh and M.J. for a great day out on the Trail!
