The Wright’s Mountain town forest has long maintained a celebrated network of multi-use trails. Now it’s beginning to gain national recognition.
Wright’s — a series of conserved, wooded parcels totaling more than 500 acres with nearly 11 miles of multi-use trails in the northwest corner of Bradford, Vt. — was recently added to the National Park Service’s list of National Recreation Trails.
Wright’s was one of 19 new national recreation trails in 17 states approved by U.S. Department of the Interior as part of the 50th anniversary celebration of the National Trails System. It becomes the sixth Vermont trail or trail network to be designated, joining other popular routes such as the Long Trail, the Cross Vermont Trail and the Robert Frost Interpretive Trail.
Wright’s will receive a plaque and signage as part of the designation and has been added to the National Recreation Trails database, which is available at www.americantrails.org.
Beginning as a 218-acre parcel in 1994, Wright’s Mountain town forest added the Devils Den caves area 10 years later and has continued to expand. The network is kept vibrant thanks to volunteer cleanup days and community partnerships, a source of pride for Bradford Conservation Commission chairwoman Nancy Jones, a primary facilitator for the area’s growth.
“I think we deserve (the national designation) because of the community effort, and also because we’re available to the community,” Jones said. “A lot of people, not only from Bradford but from around the area, enjoy it. We recently had a group of 70 come from (Norwich’s) Marion Cross (School), for example. And there are people from all over who sign the guest books every year.”
Wright’s Mountain was nominated to become a National Recreation Trail by Upper Valley Trails Alliance executive director Russell Hirschler, whose organization has helped with several improvement projects. Two years ago, UVTA’s Upper Valley High School Trail Corps built the majority of a substantial new route there, the Wilderness Trail. Like many of Wright’s subsidiary paths, it connects to Wright’s namesake main trail and an area just below its 1,822-foot summit that features a cabin, fire pit and a spectacular view of the Waits River Valley.
“(Wright’s Mountain supporters) have done an outstanding job protecting a gem,” Hirschler said in a phone interview. “Anyone who’s been to the top of Wright’s Mountain knows that it’s tremendous, and the trail network keeps expanding. I can’t think of anywhere else the area that’s done a better job of that over the last several years.”
Wright’s is in line for another boost as well. Last year, Bradford was named one of 10 Vermont towns chosen receive up to $10,000 in technical planning assistance as part of the Vermont Town Forest Recreation Planning Community Assistance Program.
A vision and strategies forum for public input is scheduled for Tuesday from 7-8:30 p.m. in the Colatina Exit restaurant’s upstairs function room.
WRP Seeking Site Stewards: The White River Partnership this summer is launching a pilot program to monitor access points along the White River Water Trail, the network of publicly accessible recreational sites along the White River and its tributaries.
Volunteer participants in the White River Water Trail Stewardship program will be asked to visit a select site to gather data about trash and potential hazards, and to offer input about site improvement needs. They may also be asked to collect light loads of trash in provided bags and to leave it on site for pickup.
“If someone has dumped 40 tires there, we’re not going to ask you to remove them, but that would be something you would report,” said WRP executive director Mary Russ. “The idea is really to make sure the access points are safe and to identify any areas of need. If it seems like a particular site is getting a lot of use, maybe it’s time to consider trail work or amenities like signage or an outhouse.”
A map of water trail sites in need of a steward can be found at whiteriverpartnership.org/water-trail-map. Those interested may contact WRP watershed assessment intern Christian Pelletier at christian@whiteriverpartnership.org or 802-763-7733.
LOC Begins Fundraiser: The Lebanon Outing Club is seeking funding for repairs to the snow groomer it uses for upkeep at Storrs Hill Ski Area.
The LOC, a nonprofit which maintains the city-owned ski slope, says it has been offered $5,000 from a private donor if it can raise $2,500 by Sept. 1.
A donation webpage has been created, and the group plans to auction furniture made from repurposed skis and snowboards to aid the effort, among other initiatives.
The campaign comes after the LOC unsuccessfully applied for a New Hampshire Charitable Foundation grant, according to vice president Cheryl Tourville.
“A lot of people think that because we’re a nonprofit, we have access to a lot of funding,” Tourville said. “The reality is that there is a lot of competition for these grants.”
The LOC’s 1990s-era groomer is in need of an extensive overhaul, according to LOC president Corey Grant. Necessary repairs include fixes to the machine’s tires, cleats and studs, windows, hydraulics and electrical system.
“We got it used from Canada about 15 years ago,” Grant noted. “Unfortunately, a new one is out of our price range, so fixing this one is our best option.”
Donations can be made at www.plumfund.com/charity-fundraising/wqqrd or by mail to Storrs Hill, 60 Spring St., Lebanon, NH, 03766.
Trails Challenge Returns: The Hanover Trails Challenge is back for a fifth season, encouraging individuals and families to enjoy select trails in town at their own pace.
A joint program between the Hanover Conservancy and the town’s parks and recreation department, participants receive a map highlighting eight short trails in Hanover and a booklet to mark their completion. Those who finish at least five by Hanover Fall Fest in September are eligible for raffle prizes donated by area businesses.
The program was founded by longtime Hanover Conservancy supporter Gail McPeek, a former board member who thought it would be a good way to promote trail use during busy summer months, when group outings tend to be more difficult to organize.
About 130-150 individuals and families typically register each year, according to Hanover Conservancy program coordinator Courtney Dragiff.
“They’re a lot of short and easy trails that usually have a beautiful feature, like a waterfall, wildflowers or a nice view,” Dragiff said. “The trails might be chosen to showcase a new trail or celebrate an anniversary. This year, for example, includes the newly conserved Shumway Forest on Moose Mountain and the Greensboro Ridge Natural Area, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary.”
Registration is $5 and includes a T-shirt along with the map and booklet. Visit www.hanoverrec.com/info/activities/ or www.hanoverconservancy.org for more information or to sign up.
Jared Pendak can be reached at jpendak@vnews.com or 603-727-3225.