In May of 2002, a non-profit organization, Friends of the Cricket Hill Recreation Area was formed for the purpose of developing public recreation facilities on land owned by Lamoille North Supervisory Union. The focus of this organization was the construction of a trail network that would encourage residents of the greater Lamoille Valley to engage in non-motorized activities such as running, recreational walking, cross county skiing, snow shoeing, biking, and nature appreciation.
John Morton, a renowned trail designer from Thetford, VT was hired to lay out a potential trail system on the 116 acre LNSU Cricket Hill land parcel that adjoins the 82 acre Lamoille Middle and High School property. Over the course of the summer John marked three sections of trail, the "Stream Loop," the "Hill Loop," and the trails connecting the greater network to the high school.
Work on the Stream Loop begain with a large volunteer construction effort launched early in the fall of 2002. A number of weekend workdays were held where trees were felled, brush cleared and stacked and limbs pruned. After the trails were cleared, the heavy equipment was brought in, and work continued. By the end of November and early snowfall, the first of the 2.5K loops was roughed in and was ready for skiing. This trail is now the practice area for the Lamoille Middle Level and High School cross country ski teams. Area residents have also starting to ski and snowshoe on the trails. Nearly 400 hours of volunteer labor donated by students, parents and area residents were involved in this initial effort (Phase I). Also essential to the success of Phase I was donated excavator machine time plus operator, tractor time plus operator, chainsaw operators, fuel, and the use of brush saws, and small tools.
Phase II began in June of 2003. It consisted of widening and the final grading of the Stream Loop, as well as developing and constructing a connecting trail to Lamoille Union Middle and High School. The scope of Phase II was large enough that additional funding was necessary to complete the intended work. Amy and Lucas Schulz co-wrote a grant which was submitted to the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation, and Cricket Hill was awarded $26,300 to be used for heavy equipment rentals, hired contractors, and materials purchase. Almost all labor was still done on a volunteer basis by LNSU staff, students, and community members. By winter, the Stream Loop and all of the trails on the eastern side of Cricket Hill Road were ready for skiers. LUHS hosted two races in the 2003-2004 ski season, each of which was extremely succesful.
In late April of 2004, members of the trail committee walked the Hill Loop, and marked trees to be cut. In May the GMTCC Forestry Class came to work at Cricket Hill under the guidance of instructor Marc Luneau. By the end of the week, they had cut the entire trail, pulled most of the wood, and started stacking brush. In late August, Cricket Hill rented a Cat 315, and after Lucas Schulz lived in the machine for two weeks verything on the Hill Loop was finished. All the brush had been burned or pushed off to the side, all the stumps have been pulled, and things were ready for snow. Other sections of the trail were made wide enough for the 14' Pisten Bully, which arrived just in time for the Cricket Hill Loppet in January 2005 after Eric and Lucas Schulz performed an extensive overhaul. Last winter, we used the Pisten Bully every few days, and the skiing was great.
Cricket Hill Trails is a trail system supported by The Friends of Cricket Hill; a community based non-profit organization. This trail system is the home of the Lamoille Union High School and Middle School nordic skiing and cross country running teams, and is located on land owned by the Lamoille North Supervisory Union. The trails have been built and are maintained by volunteers in the community.
Trail Fees: You are welcome to enjoy the use of these trails trails free of charge, but donations are appreciated.
Contributions from all of those who enjoy the use of the trails are the most important source of funding for this facility. All donations go to the care, maintenance, grooming, and development of the Cricket Hill Trails.
The Friends of Cricket Hill Trails has a 501(c)3 classification from the Internal Revenue Service, and donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.
Donations or comments may be sent to:
Friends of Cricket Hill
P.O. Box 274
Johnson, Vermont 05656
Please be sure to read the Cricket Hill Trails User Terms
