Section 16: Widow’s Clearing to Bridges Trail

If leaving your car at Rikert Nordic Center, please leave a note in the windshield with date and time you left, where you are headed, and when you plan on returning.

Snapshot

This varied section begins on an un-groomed trail within the Green Mountain National Forest, traverses the groomed trails of Middlebury College’s Rikert Nordic Center, then follows a new back country route through National Forest before finishing on a snowmobile corridor trail.

Length

9.0 miles (9.5 to/from Natural Turnpike Winter Parking)

Difficulty

This is an easy-to-intermediate ski with some short steeper portions on the new back country section. The terrain is rolling; there are multiple access points; and the middle of the route is groomed ski trail.

Note: Please remember to check in at the Rikert Nordic Center and purchase a trail pass if you are utilizing the CT within their trail system. CTA members receive a coupon for a discounted trail pass in their Membership Rewards Book.

Staying Found

Out in the woods keeping track of where you are can be a challenge. A map and compass is always a reliable option, but there are some great technological solutions that can make knowing where you are super simple. Please visit out Staying Found Webpage for more info about some of our favorite navigational tools, and note that all of our PDF maps are geo-referenced. This means they can be opened directly in apps like Avenza and used for navigation even in areas where there is no cell service.

Catamount Trail Skiers Facebook Group

This group is for anyone planning any type of adventure (skiing and snowshoeing) on the Catamount Trail (thru-skis\end-to-end section skis\day tours), or other similar XCD/Nordic backcountry trails in Vermont. It’s a place to ask questions, share knowledge, and connect with others.

Click Here & Say Hello!

Downloads

Catamount Trail Section 16 – GeoPDF Map
Catamount Trail Section 16 – Written Description (.pdf ~94k)
Shuttle Directions Section 16

Your membership dues make CTA’s free online maps and trail descriptions possible. Please join CTA today!
Looking for more information, volunteer opportunities, or to get in touch with the Section Trail Chief? Please contact us!