Have graveled in and smoothed out the mysterious collapse that appeared across the Johnnie Brook Trail earlier this summer. Sure looks like it was a tunnel - the size of a rabbit or groundhog - and the roof just fell in. First time I've seen that!

Progress along the trail in the U-32 Forest. Just finished details on the first of the (relatively) small wooden bridges needed. At least two more to go. This is an ongoing volunteer opportunity - first group day is Sat 7/9, or pitch in on your own time - call if interested!

Vol Saturdays in Jul continues. Will be at trail leading to Winooski Bridge 7/16 & 7/23; on site 9-4. rsvp for details, or come on out and look for us along the trail. Last few weeks have finished the first little loop of the U-32 forest trail.

Wrapping up the permit reviews needed to finish out the Winooski Bridge project up to Route 14, including archeological test pits. Thanks to Crown Consulting Archaeology! So far, just finding dirt - and a trunk of Spanish Doubloons, but never mind that.

Montpelier bike path closed temporarily to allow railroad crossing construction. Reopen Aug 4 or so. This is east of Rt2/302 roudabout, across from Agway, in Montpelier.

Montpelier Bike Path is open again, where the railroad work is happening at east side of City, near Route 2 and Route 302 roundabout. RR work is ongoing, but path is open. And with neat small sized RR Xing signs.

Putting in informational sign boards along the Cross Vt Trail route. Our annual August volunteer trail crew has been in full swing the past few weeks, catching up on a variety of needed tasks, looks good keep digging!

Seeding and mulching as new sections of trail are completed leading from the Winooski Bridge. Making unexpected acquaintances along the way.

CVTA's Americorps 2016/2017, Duncan, visits after a few years as sawyer on wildland fire crews. "Do you have any trees that need to be cut?" he asks. Well . . . it just so happens. Most new trail in U-32 Forest is steering between the big trees, but a few we could not avoid.

Vols made light work of salvaging old boards, making improved fence where future trail will jump RT 2 and climb to RT 14. Squeaking through small easement on corner of residential property; appreciate homeowners working with us to make the trail fit here!

And that's a wrap - have finished up our August month of volunteer trail crew. Thanks to all who joined, from a few days to up to a few weeks! Great help to take care of a variety of needed work along the trail.

Funny story. So, someone tried to drive a minivan down the Johnnie Brook Trail. I'm here to tell you there is no minivan made by man that may slay the JBT boardwalk. Patched a few spots on the railing. Put up a sign to clue in future drivers. Back in action as a trail.

Speaking of the Johnnie Brook Trail, also have caught up on nipping the gullying that was starting at the drop off section on the east end - ditching, dipping, graveling, grading. All the best things.

Groton Forest Trail Run was certainly a pleasant time this weekend. It was great to see so many of people all smiling and out together enjoying the amazing connected trail network that ties through the State Forest. Results are up: ultrasignup.com/results_event.…

This Saturday - Fall Foliage Bike Ride on the Cross Vermont Trail coming up September 24 - our 25th Year! A low key group ride on the rail trail through Groton State Forest. We start at the Upper Valley Grill on Rte. 302 in Groton, VT (2967 Scott Hwy. Groton, Vt. 05046). 9:30 AM.

Snagged a perfect Fall day, after last week of grey rain, for the 25th annual Foliage Ride on the Cross Vermont Trail yesterday in Groton. Good times, nice to meet folks and ride with them out on the trail!

U-32 + Spaulding students + VYCC leaders build trail by Winooski Bridge. Start with haul culverts. Solved the tortoise-hare riddle by simply choosing to be fast turtles (they teach outside the box thinking at U-32, famously.) You can help too: Sat 10/8 9AM - Noon vol work party.

Curbing the edge of trail by Winooski Bridge, keep that expensive treadway gravel from slipping over the side. Thanks to students from U-32, Spaulding, + local volunteers, all lead by a team from the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps for chipping away at this careful detail work!

Stumbling across many new-to-me mushrooms, scouting ahead for each next section of digging on the new trail through U-32 Forest.

Actually, "keep digging" sometimes DOES get you out of the hole. Making trail while the sun shines, at least another week to go in the U-32 School Forest, to get the all the new trail roughed in. (Final treadway gravel, small bridges and railings to come next Spring.)