Summer Camps Hit the Trail Again
As summer matured, the second session of Our Side of the Mountains had a wonderful week of exploring in nature. The Peaks and Rivers expedition paddled the Winooski River and hiked the Long Trail on a six-day trip, led by Roberto Pupiales and Sophie Jo Frandsen from Kroka Expeditions.
This week, we are hosting Bikes, Swimming Holes and Canoes, a two-week bikepacking and paddling expedition from Kroka. They are the first group to utilize the newly established Cloud Water Farm Campsite. We are looking forward to Wild Things camp next week!
Clay Brook Bridge Update
We got a lot done in the past two weeks! MRP board member Jon Rickard and volunteers deconstructed the ramps and removed the railing and necessary decking. Jason Dunbar Excavation moved the bridge and restored the riverbank. Using the rubber-tired haul truck provided by Swan Sitework, the giant stones were moved from Riverside Park to the riverbank, minimizing the impact on the forest floor. Once the riverbank was restored, Vermont Techno Metal Post installed a helical pier foundation, and the bridge was moved back into place! The next steps in the work include Mad River Metalworks welding supports and braces, and extending the bridge frame by 20 feet. In the meantime, Jon, with the help of volunteers and MRP summer campers, is sorting through the pile of removed lumber, de-nailing and getting ready for decking, railing, and ramps.
