This tour was rerouted off VAST trails in summer 2011 and is now entirely a backcountry trail between Buttermilk Falls and Patch Brook Road.  Please review the updated Section Description and Map posted below.

Snapshot: 

This tour was rerouted off VAST trails in summer 2011 and is now entirely a backcountry trail between Buttermilk Falls and Patch Brook Road. A steep, switch-backing ascent heading north from old Route 103 west of Buttermilk Falls turns to more rolling terrain through mixed hard and soft wood forests, much of it on old logging roads.  The trail crosses a powerline (great for southbound turns in the right conditions), skirts beautiful Tiny Pond, and then contours around Tiny Mountain en route to Patch Brook Road.

Note: The connection between Healdville Station and Buttermilk Falls is currently a road walk along Station Road and Route 103.  The CTA is scouting for an alternative to this roadwalk for through skiers.  If you do not feel compelled to ski/walk every inch of the Trail, we recommend avoiding this walk and simply skiing between Buttermilk Falls and Patch Brook Road.

Length:  7.8 miles (5.8 miles from Buttermilk Falls to Ninevah/Patchbrook Road)

Difficulty:

This section is intermediate with a few difficult sections. Just north of old Route 103 there are a few steep slopes and sharp turns.  Under icy or thin snow conditions, these steep sections require climbing skins or advanced descent skills.  Otherwise the terrain is rolling.  Northbound travel is recommended for those who prefer steep ascents to steep descents. 

Lodging:

Hawk Inn and Mountain Resort, 75 Billings Rd., Plymouth, VT 05056
1-800-685-4295, 802-672-3811 www.hawkresort.com

Echo Lake Inn, Route 100 Tyson, Ludlow, VT 05149
1-800-356-6844, www.echolakeinn.com, echolkinn@[remove this text]aol.com