Thank you to the Addison Independent and its talented intern Nick Garber for the exciting article on the North Country Trail (June 28). On behalf of the Middlebury Area Land Trust (MALT) staff, volunteers, members, and community supporters, we are grateful for the possibility of a federally recognized National Scenic Trail through the heart of Middlebury. It would surely benefit our community in many ways.
I must also express deep gratitude to our invaluable partner in creating connector sections of the North Country Trail in Addison County. Monument Farms and the James Family has been instrumental in creating the Blue Trail, the section that already allows hikers to travel from our beloved TAM loop, through Weybridge, and to the foot of the Snake Mountain trails. The Blue Trail offers some of Addison County’s most iconic and bucolic scenery. During the construction of the Blue Trail, Monument Farms donated labor, granted land access through legal agreements, and supported MALT as we developed these 4.5 miles of the soon to be North Country Trail.
MALT looks forward to many more years of partnership with local land owners, as we strive to bring the highest quality of recreation trails to our community.
Jamie Montague, Executive Director
Middlebury Area Land Trust
Middlebury