The Waitsfield Conservation Commission reports the opening of a newly constructed trail on the Gateway Parcel of Scrag Mountain Town Forest. This new trail is the result of a collective effort between the Waitsfield Conservation Commission, town residents, Sinuosity, and Apex Trailworks, LLC.
At over a mile in length, the trail provides visitors a more meandering and accessible option for walking through the Gateway parcel to the upper waterfall and on to higher elevations within the forest. The existing Scrag Mountain trail remains open for those who wish to utilize a more direct route to higher elevations.
“We are excited to offer this new option for visitors to Scrag Mountain Town Forest. Limited leaf blowing has been completed so that the new trail tread is visible to users. Please feel free to walk the new trail and enjoy the views of the brook, waterfall, Gateway parcel, and Mad River Valley,” conservation commissioner James Donaldson said.
The start of the new trail is located by following the existing yellow diamond signs from the parking lot to the lower waterfall. Just before the brook the new trail begins on the right and is marked with orange survey flagging until permanent trial markers can be installed. From its beginning near the lower waterfall, the trail takes users through a mixed hardwood forest and offers views of the brook before following the existing Scrag Mountain trail uphill to the base of a steep pitch.
Avoiding the steep pitch with a switchback, the next section of the new trail brings users to a viewpoint at the base of the upper waterfall. This section of trail provides a different vantage point for the falls while offering a much safer viewing experience for children and pets when compared to the slippery bedrock above the falls. From the base of the falls the trail reverses direction then crosses the Scrag Mountain trail, continuing south for a short stretch before it eventually tracks adjacent to and just above the Scrag Mountain trail, avoiding often muddy water bars.
At a small valley-oriented north-south, the new trail diverges from its parallel tracking of the Scrag Mountain trail and brings users into the area known as the spruce knob. In this area the trail presents two options for users -- a loop to the southern extent of the knob and back, and a spur trail that leads westerly to the end of the knob where one finds a bedrock “bench” and a limited view to the west. The intersection of the two options is marked with double orange survey flagging.
This new section of trail is the first of three planned trail improvements at Scrag Mountain Town Forest. The second and third phases are intended to remove the reliance on the Scrag Mountain trail to access higher elevations of the forest, and improve the route adjacent to and above the beaver pond.
Mountain biking, horseback riding, and motorized vehicles are prohibited uses at Scrag Mountain Town Forest. Dog owners must adhere to Waitsfield’s dog ordinance and pack out pet waste.
