From the Catamount Trail Association website, written description of Catamount Trail Section 15:
SECTION 15: ROUTE 73 TO WIDOW’S CLEARING TRAIL
© 2011 Catamount Trail Association / www.catamounttrail.org / Section 15, Updated 12/2011
SNAPSHOT:
The CT in Goshen between Rte. 73 and Flora White Rd now follows a rolling backcountry route
within the Green Mountain National Forest (GMNF). Between FR 224 and Widow's Clearing Trail,
the CT follows the delightful, scenic, groomed trails of Blueberry Hill Inn and X-C Ski Center.
LENGTH: 10.1 miles
DIFFICULTY:
The first third of this section has a few intermittent streams/gullies to cross that require good ski
control. It is recommended for intermediate and advanced skiers. The rest of the route, on the
groomed Blueberry Hill trails, traverses gently rolling terrain and is easy skiing.
DIRECTIONS TO TRAIL ACCESS/EXIT POINTS (south to north):
1. Rte. 73 - Goshen
From Goshen Four Corners go 1.3 miles east on Rte. 73 to a widening of the plowed shoulder of the
road. There is enough room to parallel park several cars on the south side of the road. You can also
park in the Long Trail parking area on the south side of Rte. 73 another 0.5 miles to the east. From the
wide shoulder, walk back down (west) on Rte. 73 about 0.4 miles. The northbound CT climbs steeply
up a log road from Rte. 73.
2. Blueberry Hill Ski Center - Goshen
Blueberry Hill Inn is located on the Goshen-Ripton Rd. (FR 32) between Rtes. 73 and 125. From the
village of Goshen go north approximately three miles on Carlisle Hill Rd., which becomes the
Goshen-Ripton Rd. From the village of Ripton head east on Rte. 125 for approximately one mile. Turn
right (south) on FR 32 and go approximately five miles.
3. Widow's Clearing Trail Parking Area - Ripton
From the village of Ripton head east on Rte. 125 for approximately one mile. Turn right (south) on FR
32 and go 1.8 miles. The parking area is on the left (east side) of the road. From the parking area,
follow the Widow's Clearing Trail approximately 0.6 miles south and then east to join the CT.
ROUTE DESCRIPTION:
From the widened shoulder of Rte. 73, walk downhill (west) on Rte. 73 about 0.4 miles and look for
CT blazes heading off to the right (northwest) on a steep logging road (0.0). Follow the winding
logging road uphill to a power line right-of-way. Turn left (northwest) and follow the ROW a short
distance north before crossing to the east (right) side of the powerline and entering the woods. The
CT follows gentle grades through these hardwoods, linking in places with old skid roads. Take a
sharp turn to the west (left), leave the logging road and descend to a Steep Sided Stream Crossing
(1.7). From here you begin a meandering descent to Flora White Road (3.0). Exit the woods and
walk or ski north along Flora White Road to FR 224 (3.2).
Turn right (northeast) on FR 224 and ski gently uphill to the intersection with Blueberry Hill X-C Ski
Center's Trail #25, the Hogback Trail (3.7). Turn left (north) and follow Blueberry Hill Trails 25, 29,
15, 11, 7, and 3 to the Inn. Cross the Goshen-Ripton Rd. to reach the Blueberry Hill X-C Ski Center
(5.1) and parking area. Check in to pick up a map, buy a snack, and pay the appropriate trail fee.
To continue north on the CT from the Blueberry Hill Ski Center, follow trails 5, 9, 35, 37, 39, 41, and
43 on Blueberry Hill's X-C map. Start by crossing to the east side of the Goshen-Ripton Rd. and
picking up the Stewart Trail behind the Inn. Follow the Stewart Trail until it meets the Sucker Brook
Trail at a T intersection. Turn left (west) on Sucker Brook Trail. At the next T turn right (north) onto
the Horseshoe Trail (7.1), which is shared with snowmobiles. Ski along the west side of Sugar Hill
Reservoir and then, after crossing the dam, turn left (northwest), continuing on Horseshoe Trail, but
leaving the snowmobile trail. Horseshoe Trail makes a hairpin turn in the "Horseshoe Clearing" and
SECTION 15: ROUTE 73 TO WIDOW’S CLEARING TRAIL
© 2011 Catamount Trail Association / www.catamounttrail.org / Section 15, Updated 12/2011
then heads west toward FR 32. Do not continue out onto FR 32, but turn right (north) to follow the
Dave and Carol Smith Trail to the end of Blueberry Hill's groomed trail network and the Widow's
Clearing Trail (10.1). Turn left and ski approximately 0.6 miles west and then north to the Widow's
Clearing Trail Parking Area on FR32.
DISTANCE TO LANDMARKS:
Mileage Northbound Landmark Mileage Southbound
0.0 Rte. 73/ Logging Road Jct 10.1
1.7 Steep Sided Stream Crossing 8.4
3.0 Flora White Rd. 7.1
3.2 FR 224 6.9
3.7 Hogback Trail 6.4
5.1 Blueberry Hill X-C Ski Center 5.0
7.1 Horseshoe Trail 3.0
10.1 Widow's Clearing Trail 0.0
SIDE TRAILS AND LOOPS:
Blueberry Hill Inn and X-C Ski Center maintains an extensive network of groomed ski trails. Stop in
at the ski center for a map and pay the appropriate fee. Churchill House Inn (802- 247- 3078) in
Goshen maintains a network of ski trails that connect to the Blueberry Hill trails. Either inn can
provide more information on this connection and can facilitate an inn-to-inn ski.
access source here: http://catamounttrail.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Catamount_Trail_Section_15_Dec2011_01.pdf
