Hello all. Usually ride in and around the central Vermont area. Everyone tells me that I've got to go and try the NEK. Think I just haven't because we just don't know where to park the trailer and ride from? Any good suggestions/ directions? Are lots going to be completely full if we don't get there at the butt-crack of dawn? Thinking of trying it this weekend, tomorrow perhaps? Thanks,

I was at Lake Willoughby last weekend till tuesday and ther was plenty of parking in the lot at the north end of the lake right on the trail. I have also seen many people park at the south end of Island Pond. Take the trip up and you wont regret it. Head south of IP for the least amount of traffic

Wherever you decide to go, make sure you do the Route 1 loop.

Shhh. That trail is a secret!

A decent place to park would be at the playground on 114 north of Burke. It's up on the left a little after the hard left turn after the Mobile station. I think that's trail 52 right there and honestly it usually stinks but once you are north in the greater IP area it's great.

If you go into IP you can park at Ted's market. Just go in and make sure it's ok with them (they may charge you a small fee). Also if you drive your car into IP obey all traffic laws (even your turn signals ($175 violation)) and don't snowmobile anywhere you are not suppose to ($300+ violation). You don't want to meet officer Teddy because it's always expensive when you do!

I also thin you can park at the swimming area on the other side of the lake. There is a right you take just before you get into downtown IP.

I was always partial to the pulloff where trail 102 crosses US Route 2 in Miles Pond/North Concord, VT. It's so so riding heading up Miles Mountain but after that it quickly turns excellent. I guess an even better spot would be Maidstone Lake.

:banana: you should try to hit 114 in Newark on your way to or from Island Pond as it is great :beerchug:

I'm hoping to get to IP for a few days around the the 8th - 11th. I'm looking for a place to stay that I can not only bring my dogs but have them cared for while we're riding. Avalon sounded like the perfect place, but they don't return calls and their web site is down. Any recommendations? I know, I know...leave the pups home, but we've been gone every week for the past six for several night/week, and there is no end in sight. Most of it has been snowmobile related.

Hi SnowCrazed. Nice avatar! :div20:

the trails around maidstone were in really great condition. we did 600 miles this week up there and all areas were good but i really enjoyed the maidstone area.

thanks to all for the replies. we actually ended up hooking up with some friends who rent a camp in IP for the winter and they took us out for our first time. we went on saturday through averill, canaan, island pond, etc. the only trail i remember was 105. oh yeah, and some place called "the breezy". what a terrific group they were. sorry, gotta pay more attention to the signs, but i was a bit awestruck! they said the trails were a bit beat up because of a poker run and a huge crowd but, i'd ride those beat up trails everyday if i could. it was absolutely amazing! can't wait to go again! we took some pictures and i will try and post when they are developed. thanks again!

Who did you ride with, we rent a camp in IP and are from Central Vt.

we went with guy and ann boutin, their daughter and future son-in-law, my buddy jon hull, my mother nicole, and myself, chris lafaille.

Yup, I know Guy and his wife. Also know their daughter and her fiance Jason. Good people. Our camp is further down Pleasant street. Is John the one who has the camp in Averill?

no, we stopped by Rodney Hart's camp in Averill. Don't know Rodney, but have been riding several times with his brother Alex and his wife.

I know Rod and Alex real well, I used to help on Alex's race car back in the late 80's and early 90's. T-Road rules!!

T-Road does rule. Even though it will mean the end of riding, can't wait for the races to start up. Haven't missed more than 5 races there in the past 15 years. Used to help on Chuck Beede's car, and go riding with them quite a bit. That $10,000 to win race is going to be great up there!