I rode 24 miles (12 miles each way) on the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail. It was pretty flat and a bit boring as there was hardly any railroad remnants to see except for the converted Cambridge Junction station. Still, it was a beautiful day (although a bit chilly) and my curiosity needed satisfying!
Interestingly, it's downhill from Hyde Park to Cambridge Jct.
Since I did the stretch from Morrisville before, I started at Hyde Park this time.
It's an easy ride - primarily farm country.
Dog's Head Falls
Before the town of Johnson, there's a very scenic falls right off the rail trail. Google Map Location >
Cambridge Junction
Once I arrived at Cambridge Junction, there was a lovely train themed playground at the old railroad station!
I had my apple here :-)
There's a great write up of the history...
In addition, there's a covered bridge over the river
End of the Trail
Once at the playground, it's just a short ride over the former railroad bridge to the end of the trail.
This old junked double decker bus seemed out of place in northernVermont!
The railroad continued on but the trail officially ends here for now
On the Return Trip
I snapped a photo going back over the bridge - note mountain in the background
river side scenic shot
For some strange reason, this sand pit /gravel quarry intrigued me
After a hot but magnificent mountain bike ride in Waterbury in the morning, the weather turned cloudy and rained at lunchtime. Once the rain subsided, I thought I'd take it easy and ride a rail trail rather than mountain bike again.
A few years back I took a kayak trip with relatives on the Lamoille River. We went under an abandoned railroad bridge, Today’s biking designation was actually another bridge nearer to Morrisville.
I didn’t get started until mid afternoon and the sky was gray and sketchy the whole time. Fortunately it didn’t rain! I started my trip from the Morrisville Station.
Morrisville to the Bridge
I captured a bit of the ride while holding my camera with one-hand...
Crappy overcast and rainy weather but with a forecast for a clearer afternoon made me get started late and detour up to Morrisville to check on any remaining railroad vestiges before I ventured east to ride the rail trail.
Morrisville
The Morrisville Train Station has been wonderfully restored as a coffee shop and also serves as a trailhead for the rail trail northward.
Nicely restored/preserved
Looking Westward
Looking Eastward
East of the Station
Looks like a pretty serious BBQ!
West Danville
I stopped at West Danville to start my rail trail ride but it started to rain so I ducked onto this quaint spot: a post office and a general store - where I had a homemade beef stew while wanting for the rain to subside.
Danville
Still looking lousy outside, I decided to drive to Danville and start my trek there but first….
I checked out the train station!
Riding the Rail Trail
I started my ride at Marty’s. The sky look ominous but the rain never returned!
Once riding, I did notice this tie plate but otherwise there were very few remnants of the railroading days present.
Once I saw this, I immediately burst into the Beatles Song! :-)
There are quite a few rock cuts on this section of the rail trail (I really enjoy the sensation of riding thru a rail cut).
I have made a brief "one-handed" video of some of the highlights of ride- ENJOY!
On my return back up to Danville, I noticed this pile of ties off to the side.
Trail End (St. Johnsbury)
The trail ends in this nondescript site so I just turned around and rode straight back (but going up the entire way took a little longer).
St. Johnsbury Depot
After my ride, I drove down to St. Johnsbury and visited the railroad station. It is now a welcome center and museum.
Museum Photo - in the heyday of railroading
This was marvelous - see the B&M design etched in the leather?
