First Annual
Bolton to the Barns
An Epic Backcountry Tour
Saturday, March 6, 2010
*UPDATE: Due to expected early-morning, icy conditions on steep descents, the 17-mile route is canceled. The 11-mile route, which avoids these steep descents, will run as planned. See you on the trail!*
The first annual Bolton to the Barns ski tour is a mid-winter nordic event for backcountry ski enthusiasts. On Saturday, March 6th, skiers will have a great opportunity to spend a day in the hills of Vermont and to help the VYCC create opportunities for young Vermonters wishing to play an active role in conserving the Vermont landscape.
Route Description
Skiers will have two options: a 17-mile route (the Crew Leader Route) or an 11-mile route (the Crew Member Route). Both routes will begin at the Bolton Nordic Center and finish at the Monitor Barns. Skiers doing the longer Crew Leader route will start at 8:00 and those skiing the Crew Member route will start at 9:30. A shuttle will run from the West Monitor Barn to Bolton 45 minutes prior to each start time. For the Crew Leader shuttle, meet at the West Monitor Barn at 7:15 am and for the Crew Member shuttle, meet at 8:45 am.
On all sections of the trail, skiers will find Barn Markers indicating the correct direction. To accommodate the wishes of private landowners we are not publishing a map of the entire route. However, the combination of the descriptions below, and the Barn Markers posted along the way, will make route-finding clear—even for those unfamiliar with the route.
Section One: The Bolton Trails 7.6 miles
The Crew Leader Route includes a loop within the Bolton network of cross country and backcountry trails. This loop has some demanding climbs and descents, and skiers undertaking this route should be comfortable skiing narrow chutes on steeper terrain. On this map of Bolton’s Nordic trails, you can see the trails that take you from the lodge up Gardiner’s Lane and Birch Loop trails, leading to where the Birch Loop/Catamount Trails runs into the Bolton-Trapps trail. Skiers will then loop back down the mountain on the steep and narrow descents of Ravens Wind and George’s Gorge Trails, descending to Brook Run, Broadway, Maple Loop and back to Broadway. From Broadway, skiers will turn onto Grand View and the Catamount trail to where it crosses the Bolton Access road, just below the S-turn (at the sugarhouse on the west side of the road). At this point, the route Crew Leader skiers take will be the same as Crew Members.
Crew Members will also start at the Nordic Center, heading out on Broadway to Maple Loop before rejoining Broadway and Grand View/Catamount Trail. This route will descend to where the Catamount Trail intersects with the VAST Trail, just below the S-turn on the Bolton Access Road (at the sugarhouse on the west side of the road). Skiers will then cross the Access Road and head west on the VAST Trail.
Section Two: Bolton Access Road to Bolton Notch Road 4.3 miles
Leaving the sugarhouse and heading west, skiers will face a long and challenging uphill climb. But, have faith, this is the longest climb of the tour, taking skiers through a beautiful beech and maple forest and eventually climbing a ridge high above the Notch Road. From here, the trail parallels the Notch Road, heading north for several miles on mostly rolling terrain before dropping steeply down the road.
Section Three: Bolton Notch Road to Stage Road 1.5 miles
After crossing the Notch Road, skiers will be right at the base of the Bolton Cliffs, which loom high above the trail covered in mid-winter snow and ice. After climbing to a saddle, skiers then head north of Preston Pond before descending quickly to Stage Road. This section is the shortest leg of the tour.
Section Four: Stage Road to Snipe Ireland Road 1.7 miles
Having reached Stage Road, skiers are more than half way there! This section is a hidden gem within Chittenden County, covering gently rolling terrain around secluded beaver ponds and the occasional meadow. Like all sections, there are a few steep descents where skiers should consider taking off skis if the conditions are too fast for a comfortable descent.
Section Five: Snipe Ireland Road to the Monitor Barns 2.2 miles
The home stretch! After crossing Snipe Ireland Road, skiers face the last (and long) uphill climb of the day. Hang in there—the barn awaits and is less than 3 miles away. Once you complete this climb, you will pass through a metal gate marking the boundary of the VYCC property. From here, follow the trail markers down to the welcoming crowd set to cheer you on!
Breck Knauft at breck.knauft@vycc.org or 802.434.3969 x110.