Trail Etiquette and Guidelines

Castleton University Trails Map

Trailhead

Visitor parking is behind the Stafford Academic Center in the Stafford lot (See Map)

Description

These trails can be hiked or biked in any direction and are suitable for beginner mountain bikers, joggers and those looking for an easy hike. The trails wind through forest, cross Glenbrook twice and skirt the edge of athletic fields and Glenbrook Pond. The varied environments provide for an interesting outing but there are no major overlooks or views. 

The Castleton University Trails are easy and well marked. gentle with no significant climbs. The footpath is well maintained but there are plenty of roots and rocks to watch out for, and in spring, there will be plenty of puddles and wet spots. 

There are two trails:

• Spartan Trail – 1.6 miles (green markers)
• Lady Spartan Trail – 0.3 miles (red markers), which is a connector trail in the longer Spartan Trail loop (see map).

To Access the Trails

• Begin in Castleton Village on Main Street (also 4A). 
• Starting from Castleton Village head west. 
• Take the third left onto South Street. 
• In about 1/3 of a mile, (just after Jeffords Science Center), take the next left into a large parking lot.
• Immediately turn right and park at the end of the smaller lot adjacent to South Street. 
• The D&R Rail Trail passes just to the north of this parking lot. There is a rail trail informational kiosk about 100 feet to the east. 
• To access the Castleton University trails, cross South Street and follow the D&R rail trail south. It passes to the west of the Spartan Pavilion and Stadium.  There are two entrances (marked with signs). One is about 1,500 feet from South Street and the second is about 3,000 feet from South Street. See map for further details.

Guidelines

• Open to the public from dawn to dusk. 
• Walking, running, mountain biking, and cross-country skiing are all allowed. 
• No motorized vehicles please.
• The CU trails are popular, and are used in fall by the CU cross-country running team. Please be aware and exercise caution around curves and blind turns in the trails. 
• Snowmobiles are allowed on the rail trail portion in the winter. 
• Please be respectful of private landowners and stay on the marked trails as some portions of these trails cross private land.
• Follow Leave No Trace ethics,  including carry out your trash and pet waste, and respecting other trail users.

Every town needs a 10 kilometer running and walking loop!  

This loop is a popular and pleasant route that uses the sidewalk along East Main Street to East Poultney, several dirt roads and the D&H Trail.  The road up the hill just east of Route 30 was called Cheaters Hill in the 1800s as it allowed people to bypass the brick house that was once the toll house for the Poultney Turnpike.

The 6.5 mile loop begins and ends at the D&H kiosk on Church Street in Poultney village.  If you go around the route in a clockwise direction you’ll get a good workout going up Cheater’s Hill.  If you do it in a counter clockwise direction you will enjoy a nice long run down the hill. 

Delaney Woods Trail Map

Delaney Woods on Trailfinder

Trailhead Directions & Google Map

• Enter E. Delaney Cross Road off North Street in Wells, across from the Lakeside Park, and look for the official kiosk and raised gravel parking area. From there, continue on foot or bike up the road for about 0.2 m, stay right and you should see the sign for SVT Rt 1 trailhead. 
• This Trailhead has no facilities and may not have cell service.
• Please no driving in fields, or parking along road.
• Please drive slowly. Watch for people, dogs, horses, and wildlife! 

Description

 Delaney Woods, owned by the Town of Wells, is part of the conserved Delaney Farm.The newest trail is a connector trail, built in 2019, connecting Delaney Woods to a singletrack trail, Bearded Hen, located on private land thanks to the generosity of neighboring landowners.

The trails were designed and are maintained for HUMAN powered fun such as hiking, trail running, snowshoeing and mountain biking. Volunteers and professional trail builders constructed about 4 miles of multi-use single track trails over the past couple of years.  

Guidelines

• Welcome sunrise to sunset - no camping.
• No motorized vehicles or horses -  they can damage the trails.
• Share the trails - bikers yield to hikers.
• Stay on marked trails - we went to a lot of trouble to build them
• Avoid using trails when they are wet or during freeze-thaw cycles when trails are easily damaged (and costly to repair). 
• Carry out your trash and pet waste.
• Be respectful to wildlife and other trail users. 
• Hunting is allowed at Delaney Woods.  Hunters may contact the Town of Wells for more information.  
• Wear bright colors during all Vermont hunting seasons including, but not limited to spring and fall turkey, fall bow, rifle, and muzzleloader deer seasons.
• Please NO HUNTING on or along Bearded Hen. This trail is not part of the Delaney Woods/Town of Wells parcel, but is actually on private land. 
• This Trailhead has no facilities and may not have cell service.

MAPS

Winter Trail Map: Endless Brook to Fairgrounds

Endless Brook on Trailfinder

Trailhead Directions

-The Endless Brook trailhead parking (Google Map) is located on Endless Brook Road across from the Lewis Deane Nature Preserve. 

• Please do not park on Endless Brook or Dayton Hill Roads.
• Please reserve parking at the Lewis Deane Nature Preserve for hikers there.

- Additional parking is available at the designated area with kiosk at the entrance to the Lake St. Catherine Country Club (Google Map) located at 2725 VT 30, Poultney, VT. 

- Additional parking (day use fee) is available in season at Lake Saint Catherine State Park located at  3034 VT Rte. 30 in Poultney, VT. Check out the trails there walking and MTB flow trail, and take a swim after! 

Description

From the Endless Brook Trailhead, these beautiful trails are entirely on private property and are open to the public through the landowner's generosity and their partnership with Slate Valley Trails.  

The majority of the trails are singletrack and designed for mountain biking.  However, the trails are open to any non-motorized use including hiking, running, and snowshoeing.  Once you reach the highest point on Hardy's Hill the views of Lake Saint Catherine are amazing, and so are the fast berms and rolls as you head back down the long descent. 

Guidelines

• Welcome sunrise to sunset.
• No camping or fires to respect the landowner's wishes. 
• Foot and bicycle use only.  
• No motorized vehicles or horses -  they can damage the trails.
• Share the trails - bikers yield to hikers.
• Stay on marked trails - we went to a lot of trouble to build them.
• Avoid using trails when they are wet or during freeze-thaw cycles when trails are easily damaged (and costly to repair).
• Carry out your trash and pet waste.
• Be respectful to wildlife and other trail users.  
• No firearms or public hunting - for everyone's safety.
• Neighbors do hunt adjacent parcels. Wear blaze orange (dogs too), leash your dog, avoid trails before 10AM and after 3PM, use inside voices.
• Your cell phone may NOT have service at our trailheads, or on parts of our trail network.
•  This trailhead has a portable toilet through October. 
  

Trail Descriptions

• Farm Road (0.2 mi) This short woods road connects from the trailhead to Franz's Falls Trail.
• Franz’s Falls (0.7 mi) This twisty singletrack trail is the main access point for all the other trails in the network. Expect technical steep side-hills after the long bridge over a beautiful gorge.
  Rusty Bucket Loop (1.4 mi) This narrow singletrack trail loop climbs and descends through open forest, featuring many tight turns and a beautiful overlook from the summit ledge.
• Hardy’s Hill (1.9 mi) This trail is recommended as an out-and-back, but can also be ridden along with Rocky Ridge or Shale Shifter to make a loop.  Once you reach the highest point the views of Lake Saint Catherine are amazing, and so are the fast berms and rolls as you head back down the long descent.  This trail is slightly wider and less technical than Rocky Ridge, Franz’s Falls and Rusty Bucket Loop.
• Hi Roller (0.6 mi) This is a fun, rolling trail that offers additional loop options.
• Rocky Ridge (1.1 mi) This hand built single track trail is technical, with some exposed sections, recommended for expert riders.
• Shale Shifter (1.1 mi) This trail offers a great double track option for those looking for a hill climb workout with some steep sections, or walking with a group. It can be combined with Hardy’s Hill to make a loop.
• Dayton Hill Connector (0.7 mi) This Class 4 Road and is a great way to connect from the trailhead to Hardy’s Hill, or vice versa. Please limit all parking to the designated parking lot on Endless Brook Road. 

MAPS 

Winter Trail Map: Fairgrounds to Endless Brook

Fairgrounds on Trailforks

Trails on the south side of VT 140 are referred to as "Fairgrounds West", and on the north side of VT 140, as "Fairgrounds East".

Trailhead Directions

- The Fairgrounds trailhead parking is located at 131 Town Farm Road in Poultney (Google Map). 

- NO PARKING along Town Farm Road!  If the parking lot is full, look for designated overflow parking nearby.  Overflow parking location may change or be temporarily unavailable.  

Description

The trails accessible from the Fairgrounds trailhead are entirely on private property and are open to the public through the landowner's generosity and their partnership with Slate Valley Trails. The majority of the trails are singletrack and designed for mountain biking.  However, the trails are open to any non-motorized use including hiking, running, and snowshoeing.

Guidelines

• Welcome sunrise to sunset 
• No camping or fires to respect the landowner's wishes  
• Foot and bicycle use only.  
• No motorized vehicles or horses -  they can damage the trails 
• Share the trails - bikers yield to hikers.
• Stay on marked trails - we went to a lot of trouble to build them
• Do no use trails when they are wet or during freeze-thaw cycles when trails are easily damaged (and costly to repair).
• Carry out your trash and pet waste.
• Be respectful to wildlife and other trail users.  
• Your cell phone may NOT have service at our trailheads, or on parts of our trail network.
• This trailhead has a portable toilet through October.

Hunting Information

The Fairgrounds property is open for deer hunting only (no other game).  

Attention Hunters

The Fairgrounds property is open for deer hunting.  This property is a popular recreation destination and is used by hikers and mountain bikers.  Pets may be present.  Hunters should familiarize themselves with the locations of trails and take extra caution.

Rules

• Hunters must follow VT Fish and Wildlife regulations.  
• No vehicles are allowed on the property.
• Trapping is not allowed.
• Permanent deer stands and/or climbers are not allowed.
• Do not leave litter.
• Any field dressing must be done at least 200 feet from all trails.

Attention Trail Users

Be aware!  This property is open to hunting.

Please note these safety recommendations:

• Wear bright clothing, ideally blaze orange
• Avoid hiking/riding at dawn and dusk, which are prime hunting hours.
• Keep pets in control.
•  Check for current Vermont Hunting Season Dates with VT Fish and Wildlife. Pay particular attention to when Youth Deer Weekend, Bow & Arrow,  Rifle, and Muzzleloader seasons are. 

The following trails are closed during rifle and muzzleloader season:  

• Cliffhanger
• Freefall
• Loop-the-Loop
• Midway
• To Morse Hollow

 For your own safety and out of respect for hunters, please abide by trail closures.

Howe Hill Trail Map

Howe Hill on Trailfinder

Trailhead

Parking for the Howe Hill trails is in the parking lot next to the East Poultney Baptist Church on the green in the center of the village of East Poultney.  The parking lot may be full on Sunday mornings during church service.  To access the trails from the parking lot walk south across the Poultney River on to Thrall Rd.  The trails start at the Howe Hill sign on the left side of Thrall Rd. about a quarter mile from the parking lot. There are no facilities provided at the parking lot.

Description

This trail network represents a partnership between two generous landowners and Slate Valley Trails.  Howe Hill trails are open to walking, hiking, running, and snowshoeing when the snow falls.  There are some short steep climbs on Laird's Loop, some of which may be dangerous in icy conditions.  The trails consist of Laird's Loop (1.9 miles round-trip) and the Upper Loop (1.0 miles). 

Guidelines 

• Foot traffic only.
• Welcome sunrise to sunset.
• No camping or fires... to respect the landowner's wishes
• No motorized vehicles or horses... they can damage the trails.
• Stay on marked trails.
• Carry out your trash and pet waste.
• Respect wildlife and other trail users. 
• Your cell phone may NOT have service at our trailheads, or on parts of our trail network. 
• Hunting occurs at Howe Hill during all seasons. The landowner does try to post alerts to warn hikers if someone is hunting, but do not expect this. 
• Wear bright colors during all Vermont hunting seasons including, but not limited to spring and fall turkey, fall bow, rifle, and muzzleloader deer seasons    

Maps

• East Trails
• West Trails

Trailhead

This hike is in the Taconic Mountains Ramble State Park located at 321  St. John Road in Hubbardton, Vermont. It is not a developed park. There is no water, phone or other facilities. There is a single portalet.  Plan accordingly and please carry-in-carry-out.  

Visit the park website or call the park,  802-273-2997 for current information and directions.

 Poultney River and Rail Trail Map

Description

The Poultney River and Rail Trail (PRRT) is a 3.3 mile multi-use trail around downtown Poultney, which has been under development since 2001.  The trail features portions of the D&H Rail Trail, Poultney River and a corridor bordering the Poultney Elementary School. The PRRT is co-aligned with the D&H Rail Trail, which is maintained by the State of Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation.  Slate Valley Trails partnered with the Town of Poultney, the Poultney 20/20 Committee and the Poultney-Mettowee Natural Resource Conservation District to establish the PRRT.

Guidelines (Specific to the D&H Rail Trail Section, VT FPR):

• Stay on the trail: Please respect the private property of adjacent landowners. Leaving the trail may constitute trespassing on private property. 
• Yield the right-of-way: When approaching oncoming trail users, always move to your right. When overtaking slower moving users, announce your intentions and pass on the left. 
• Stop at all road crossings: Trail users must stop and yield to traffic at all intersections with public highways. 
• Appropriate gear: Wear clothing and protective equipment matched to the activity you pursue. Helmets are strongly recommended for bicycling, horseback riding and snowmobiling. 
• Watch for obstacles: You may encounter natural obstructions such as fallen trees, ruts, washouts or wildlife. 
• Trail surface: Care should be taken when approaching bridges as there is normally a small transition between the cinder or gravel trail tread and the bridge abutment. The trail has several different types of tread material; some sections may be softer than others. 
• Pets: Pets are welcome on the trail but must be under owner’s control at all times. Dogs should be kept on a leash for their own protection as well as other users and wildlife. 
• Please do not litter. 

WINTER USE OF PRRT and D&H Rail Trail

The D&H Rail Trail and many parts of the PRRT are aligned with the VAST Trail.  The D&H is open to non-motorized and motorized use in winter months. The southern most section of the PRRT is on the opposite side of the Poultney River as the VAST Trail, and the PRRT at the Elementary School is separate from the VAST Trail.  
For the interactive VAST Trail Map CLICK HERE. For VAST info, visit the Poultney Area SnoDevils website or Facebook  

Lewis Deane Preserve Map

Trailhead

PARKING MAP LINK

Go 0.8 miles down Endless Brook Road, off of Route 30, and look for a gravel parking area on the right with room for about 4 cars. It is diagonally across the road from Slate Valley Trail's Endless Brook Trailhead, and  just past Toad Hall, but before the driveway for The Loon and Otter Lodge. 

Description

The main attraction for many at the Lewis Deane Nature Preserve is the stunning views from St. Catherine Mountain. One can see Lake St. Catherine and beyond into the Adirondacks.  From the parking, walk down the driveway to a bridge over a stream, then look for a kiosk ahead on the left at the edge of the meadow.

Yellow Trail –  1 mile one way. This is the original trail. It is shorter, and steeper, with less switchbacks. Climbing up the some rocky sections that can be slick when wet. Plan to hike 30 minutes each way. 

Green Trail – ~ 1.25 miles one way. This trail is newer and has several switchbacks leading up from the meadow into the forest. It goes past a peaceful brook, as it climbs to the summit. Give yourself at least 45 minutes to hike it one way.

History

The Lewis Deane Nature Preserve is an 85-acre lot on the east side of Lake St. Catherine. It was donated to Green Mountain College in 2002 by Bill and Linda Osborne, of Poultney, but when GMC closed in 2019, the preserve has gone back to the Osborne's. This land is used by students and the community for education, research, and outdoor experiences. 

Archived Lewis Deane Preserve Info from GMC's website:  PDF

VISITOR GUIDELINES

All visitors to the preserve are asked to follow these guidelines:

1. Leave-no-trace: carry it in, carry it out.

2. Travel on foot only, except for handicapped access or approved management practices.

3. NO HUNTING! Wear orange during hunting season anyhow. 

4. Engage in no illegal activities.

5. Camp only in designated areas.

6. Build no fires, except in designated areas.

A simple internet search will pull up a handful of blogs about the trails at the Deane Preserve. Please respect the landowner. This property was formerly owned by Green Mountain College. The trails and parking are still open to the public thanks to the current property steward.