BROOKLINE-For the past 40 years, visionaries from two local conservation groups have imagined a network of trails that extends the ridgeline trails of Putney Mountain Association and Windmill Hill Pinnacle Association to a trail network in Dummerston. On Saturday, Aug. 24 (rain date is Aug. 25), that vision will be realized when Roger Haydock, trail designer and builder, will lead the public down the Missing Link Trail to the trailhead on Hague Road in Dummerston.
The celebration of the Missing Link Trail begins at 10 a.m. at the Brookline end of Holland Hill Road. Extra parking is available at the Hannum trailhead, a short distance before the end of Holland Hill Road.
Haydock will give a brief presentation on the work that made this trail possible and will honor the crew that met over the last three summers to complete this project. He will then guide any interested hikers down the new trail.
The Missing Link Trail features views of the West River Valley and the largest ash tree in Vermont, estimated to be over 200 years old. It wanders through a fern meadow under a maple sugarbush and meanders through beautiful mixed forests. A side trail through the hemlocks to the top of Bobcat Cliffs offers a long view of the West River.
The hike will conclude at the kiosk on Hague Road, with a ceremonial installation of a golden railroad spike commemorating the connecting of the ridgeline trails with the network that leads to Prospect Hill.
The completion of this trail is in large part thanks to the dedicated trail-building volunteers and to local landowners who granted permission to walk through their lands. In total, the trail utilizes deeded trail easements, donated trail licenses, and passes through the Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge.
Those who wish to go on the guided hike should register at the Putney Mountain website at bit.ly/778-link. For any questions, contact 480-252-5614.
This Town and Village item was submitted to The Commons.