marina trailhead

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West River Trail Work Day Saturday, November 18, 10 AM-2 PM (weather permitting)

West River Trail, VermontWe will meet at the Marina trail head on Saturday Nov 18 at 9:45 and begin our walk in at 10 AM.  We will be working on clearing leaves from drainage ditches and culverts, clearing a few trees off the trail, putting up caution signs on the Fox Farm Road trail access road and whatever else we see that needs doing.

Wear your boots, work gloves and warm clothes; bring water and a snack, rakes and shovels.  We will have tools as well.  Stay for as long as you can.  Contact lowersection@gmail.com with questions or to RSVP.  We look forward to working with you on this beautiful trail!  Thank you in advance!  (Our sincere apologies to anyone who showed up on October 29.  We forgot to announce that we needed to cancel.  We’ll not let that happen again!)

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The West River Trail & Trail Talk

West River Trail, mountain laurelHappy summer! The West River Trail is open during bridge construction! Please take care at the Brattleboro Marina Trailhead construction intersections. During upcoming bridge demolition, construction personnel will be stationed to provide warning to pedestrians when work is occurring overhead.

Trail users should exercise extreme caution at intersections between construction access and the trail path. As an additional safety precaution, please keep pets on a leash, especially in the construction zone.

The next trail talk will be held August 5, 2017. Interested participants should meet the PCL+FIGG Team at the West River Trail trailhead at 8 am and the talk will begin at 8:15 am. For more Information, please contact Bonnie Clark, Public Relations Officer, at bclark@pcl.com.

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Rice Farm Road Trailhead

West River Trail Rice Farm Road AccessAs many trail users are aware, branches and stick barriers have been placed at the Rice Farm Road (RFR) trail head for some time now.  More recently, the words “No Trespassing” and “Private -Keep Out” were painted on the ground.  The area being contested is the RFR trail head, including a couple hundred feet south on the trail.  Friends of the West River Trail (FWRT) has deeds and surveys showing FWRT ownership of the trail for public use.  Furthermore, the public has been using this trail for decades and because of that​, has the continuing right to use the trail (this right is called a prescriptive easement).

​Recently FWRT brought an action in court to stop this obstruction. However, it will take several weeks to 3 months or more for the court to address the situation.  In the past, trail users who have come in contact with the contesting party have been treated politely by him and even encouraged to use the trail.  Unfortunately, our efforts as members of the FWRT to resolve or even discuss the situation have been met with hostility.  Given the situation, it is up to each trail user to decide whether to use the RFR access to the trail. If you are feeling concerned about using the RFR trail head, you can access the trail from Fox Farm Rd or the Marina trail head.   We regret the uncertainty and any inconvenience this is causing.

The West River Trail Detour
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The West River Trail Detour

Woohoo! An alternate path for the lower section of the West River Trail has been opened at the Marina Trailhead that provides recreational use of the trail near the I-91 bridge construction access road. Follow trail signs carefully through the construction area. There are intersections between construction access and the trail path, and users should exercise extreme caution at these intersections. As an additional safety precaution, users of the West River Trail are reminded to keep pets on a leash in this area. Be safe and enjoy the trail!

Lots going on this weekend on and near the West River Trail. Come and join in!

West River Trail workday, Sunday June 15 starting from the Marina trail head at 10 am. More Click HERE for more information.

Black Mountain Hike, Saturday, June 14, 1 pm. Join members of the Vermont Chapter of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) for a 4-mile walk through a 275-acre parcel on Black Mountain that TNC plans to acquire this summer. Mountain laurel should be at peak bloom! Meet on Rice Farm Rd., Dummerston, opposite the West River Trail kiosk, 1 mile south of the green iron bridge. Hike will be of moderate difficulty, over logging roads, led by Jon Binhammer and Roger Haydock. Information: Jbinhammer@tnc.org, or 802-229-4425 ext. 110.

Trail Talk, Saturday June 14, meet at the Marina Trailhead at 8 am, click HERE for more information.