MRV businesses need our help!

It goes without saying that a lot of our neighbors, friends, and families are having a tough time right now. That includes our local business owners and people who work at businesses that are either currently shut down or at limited capacity. Obviously, it’s a stressful time for everyone, but we hope that keeping the Mad River Path open helps the MRV community reduce stress levels a bit and keep people healthy—body and mind. We sincerely thank our private landowners who decided to keep the Path on their lands open at this time. Of course, we all must abide by social distancing practices and other safety guidelines to prevent risking the spread of COVID-19 (see this post for guidelines). And very importantly, we must keep off trails that are closed, including all Mad River Rider trails, the Catamount Trail, and the Long Trail network.

MRP is postponing our trail work until the Governor gives trail workers the go-ahead, but once we get the word, we’ll be out there faster than green grass through a goose. If you are able, we really appreciate any and all donations of any amount for our trail maintenance and building work in 2020, even if just a little bit. It’s going to be a challenging year for our budget, just like everyone else.

And if you can swing it, we hope you’ll support the local businesses that are open to one extent or another. MRP staff and the Board are doing this as much as we can. Without the support of these businesses during the good times, the Path wouldn’t be as successful as we’ve been!

The Valley Reporter has a list of take-out food options here.

The MRV Chamber of Commerce also has a list of take-out options here.

Plus, the Chamber is keeping tabs on which MRV businesses are open and closed here.

So, please support our local businesses as long as you can do so safely without risking public health. Wishing you the best of health!

Is the Path open or closed right now?

CLARIFICATION: The Mill Brook Trail is co-located with the Catamount Trail and a Mad River Riders trail once you head west from the top of Harris Hill, which includes the west side of German Flats Rd. This section is closed via this joint statement from various trail and recreation organizations and agencies. Also, this section is muddy and should be avoided anyways.

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You might have heard that many trails around Vermont are closed due to mud season and as a way to help curb the spread of COVID-19. We want to let you know that the Mad River Path and Mill Brook Trail (only from Marble Hill Rd to Tucker Hill Rd) are open, and we hope to keep them open. 

Click here for the Mad River Path interactive map

We want to be sure you have easy access to the outdoors since nature can be so important to one's health. Again, we hope to keep things open, but if it seems like keeping the Mad River Path and the eastern portion of the Mill Brook Trail open is increasing the risk to public safety, we'll reconsider. We're consulting health professionals to help guide our decision.

So please help us keep the Path open:

• If you're feeling ill at all, stay home!

• If a trailhead looks crowded, head to a less crowded spot. “Crowded” in this case means if a parking lot looks half full or more.

• Recreate solo or in a small group that include only people living in your household.

• Keep dogs on a leash so they don't brush up against others or tempt other dog lovers to pet your pup.

• Give others space when passing--at least 6-10 feet.

• Bring your own dog waste bags, but if you use one from the dispenser, sanitize your hands after (some dispensers are getting low--we are getting more this week).

• Stay with ten miles of home (recommended by the State of Vermont).

• Avoid risky areas or those that might be above your ability. We don't want to add stress to medical facilities, and I bet you don't want to go, either!

If things are looking too crowded or too muddy, you can always head to one of the MRV's low-traffic dirt roads.

Stay safe and happy trails!