Tropical Storm Irene destroyed a culvert on FR 202, just south of Lincoln Gap Road, leaving a large, uncrossable gully on the CT. The CT is closed between French Settlement Road and Lincoln Gap Road until further notice.
Section 17: The Bridges Trail to Lincoln Gap
Snapshot:
This section is a mix of back-country trails with a few short, steep climbs and descents; a partially plowed road; wide, groomed snowmobile trails; and an ungroomed, unplowed forest road to the top of Lincoln gap. There are wonderful views of the Breadloaf Wilderness along the way. A 1.2-mile road walk along South Lincoln Rd. can sometimes be skied.
Length: 12.3 miles
Difficulty: The ski along the Bridges Trail between Forest Road 59 and Forest Road 54 includes a few short, steep, climbs and descents. The ski along FR 54 is flat and easy, but is shared with snowmobiles and is partially plowed. From South Lincoln Rd. to Lincoln Gap is all uphill but is not particularly steep.
Note: FR 54 and the western, plowed half of FR 59 are known locally as "The Natural Turnpike." After leaving the groomed trail network of the Rikert X-C Ski Center, the CT follows the eastern portion of FR 59 (unplowed), The Bridges Trail (non-snowmobile), and then joins FR 54 heading north to Lincoln.
Lodging:
The Old Hotel B&B, Lincoln, 233 East River Rd., Lincoln, VT 05443
802-453-2567, www.oldhotel.net, theoldhotel@gmavt.net
West Hill House, 1496 West Hill Road, Warren, VT 05674
1-800-209-1049, 802-496-7162, www.westhillbb.com, innkeepers@westhillbb.com