New section of Cross Vermont Trail officially opens on rail bed!

The railbed between John Fowler Road in Marshfield and the Plainfield Park and Ride in Plainfield Village is now officially open as the newest section of the Cross Vermont Trail. Yes, people have "traditionally" used the railbed here as a trail for many years, but now we have real permission from the landowners - a private parcel and also two parcels owned by the Town of Plainfield. Please keep in mind that the private parcel is open to public use on condition that trail users Stay On The Trail, do not trespass into the fields and forest to the sides of the trail where you see the "Posted" signs.

East to West: from Rte 2 turn left onto John Folwer Road. Literally go over the river and through the woods and up a short hill on this dirt road. Then turn right onto the old railbed. The Cross Vermont Trail follows the railbed for a half mile to the Plainfield Park & Ride. Continue through the Village on Main St. back out to Rte 2 and turn left onto the highway.

This notice affects Map 4.

2023 Extreme Flooding.

The major flooding on July 10 and 11 have had impacts throughout the Cross Vermont Trail region. Bigger picture, there are a lot of things more pressing right now than trails. However, as folks return to wanting the release of getting out on a trail in the woods, check back here for updates.

Trail status and ongoing news are posted at our Flood Impacts statewide summary and ongoing updates page.

New paths constructed in Montpelier and East Montpelier not shown on maps yet.

Between Granite Street in Montpelier and the new trailhead parking lot on Route 2 in East Montpelier, new paths constructed in recent years are not yet reflected on the maps and cue sheet. We are working to update the maps, but in the meantime:

• If you are eastbound, simply follow the signed path instead of the on road route shown on the maps.
• If you are westbound, look for trailhead parking on the north side of Route 2 (about a half mile after passing the intersection of Muddy Brook Road and Route 2) and you can get onto the new path there.

This notice affects Map 6.

Beavers repurpose railbed as dam. (Ongoing issues.)

We can't fault them for repurposing the railbed, that'd be the pot calling the kettle black. At various times, it ebbs and flows, beavers will block culverts under the old railbed and use it as a dam to make their pond. Sometimes they (busily) build their dams up taller than the old bed, and water spills over onto the trail making large puddles. It's dramatic and cool to see. Many people can just splash through. However, it does make the going more difficult. Periodically this happens in the Wells River Conservation area behind Blue Mountain Union, and in Groton State Forest west of Lanesboro. This notice affects Maps 1 and 3.