am looking to ride all day thursday would like to park near northfield somewhere(if any body knows of a spot to park chime in) and maybe do a loop towards waterbury and back towards barre and down to northfield. need update on trails in this area as ive not ridden since before all the rain. any help would be appreciated

As with most places I think a lot will depend on the weather Wed & Thurs. Forecast, I believe, is for rain/sleet & some snow. The trails were pretty soft over the weekend w/ a lot of water bars starting to open up so be very careful. Waitsfield should be pretty good in the higher elevations. Rode that last Thursday and they have a LOT of snow. But the fields will probalby be pretty rough (both in Waitsfield and as you get into Waterbury). Parking in Northfield is pretty much non-existant but the trail does go right by the park and ride at exit 5. Alternately you could drive over the mountain to Waitsfield and park at Kenyons. If you are doing a loop that includes Barre/Montpelier there is a lot of parking in the old Ames Plaza shopping center (Price Chopper). The trail goes right through there. My opinion is the rain Wed is going to hurt, you should be ok in higher elevations but lower levels and roads will not be a lot of fun.

Hope that helps.

ANYONE KNOW OF A SPOT TO PARK IN NORTHFIELD OR AS A SECOND OPTION I WOULD DRIVE TO DUXBURY BUT NEED TO KNOW WHERE THE PARKING LOT IS THERE?

As I mentioned you might be able to squeeze in at the park and ride which is at the Northfield exit on 89. The trail is literally less than 100 yards away from it. I don't know if the Mobil Station (South Village Mobil) would allow you to park there for the day if only one vehicle. You could give them a call. Otherwise there really aren't any parking spots in Northfield.

In terms of your question on Stowe closure I took this from the Green Mountain Roamers Website (greenmountainroamers.org): "Stowe Club indicates that due to the trail that has been running through a deer yard for a number of years, with no negative problems as reported as yet, Fish & Game representatives have aksed for an Act 250 Permit for access on this portion of the trail. Trail is now closed from Cotton Brook (Little River Forest Area) North to Route 100. This is a major Corridor Trail closure preventing connections North and South, and blocking loop rides around Waterbury, Worcester, Eden, and Stowe. Plan your trip accordingly! Trails closed through Stowe Village as of January 2008. You can do some short rides through park, just watch out for the tour sleds that Umiak operates. they are out there 7 days per week"

Unless there is a different trail closure the above referenced closure doesn't prevent a loop from Northfield to Waitsfield, Waterbury, Middlesex, Montpelier, Barre, Williamstown and back to Northfield. I did it earlier this year, but there is some tough riding in the Middlesex/Montpelier area due to a re-route.

Hope that helps.

thanks that was what i needed to hear. i thought that was the case but not sure.