Sunday, March 9, 2025

Danville, VT (USA)

With 50s/60s headed towards the Upper Valley, I was highly motivated to make today’s cooler weather count.  Once again, though, I did as many chores around the condo as I could during the morning hours.  After lunch (1230), I left Hanover and drove north on I-91, hoping to find good skiing conditions.  Got off the Interstate at the first exit beyond I-93 junction and then started searching for parking areas for Lamoille Valley Rail Trail in St. Johnsbury.  No luck in town due to uncleared parking areas and/or private property uncertainties.  Undeterred, I continued west on US-2 and eventually found some back roads (VT-2B, Pumpkin Hill Road, Trestle Road, Parker Road) that, ultimately, led me to a place (snow mobile staging area and pull out) to park at 1400.  So, in the end, it took driving more than 50 miles north to find cross country skiing conditions but it was definitely worth the effort!  I had a hunch that the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail would be groomed (or, at least rolled) and I was right.  After parking at the trailhead next to the Mile 6 marker (Danville, VT), I logged 9 miles (in three hours, 1410 to 1710) on my EVOs under cloudy skies and a steady falling snow.  The grade was rather steep for a railroad bed because the railroad was built high above the river (a wise decision, I think, after all the flooding I’ve seen around here).  Saw several deer (who'd crowded around on the closed section) and some interesting feather patterns (raptor swooping on to "dinner"?) in the snow.  Despite having to dodge some snowmobiles (including one who nearly hit me when he lost control), I was able to connect to the place where Mollie and I had turned around last time (VT-2B on the western edge of St. Johnsbury).  As I was wrapping up, a local guy with his dog came by to ask if the trail was worth walking on - I replied that it might be with snow shoes.  His dog didn't look too thrilled...  Afterwards (1715), I headed home (using US-2 to I-91 and then south).  It was snowing almost all the way but not in Hanover, where I'd really hoped it would.  I was at my condo by 1830, feeling good about my great day in the snow.  From now on, I’ll try to keep walking west on the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail!