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Minnie Barker Trailhead: Vermont Route 7 to Brandon. At Brandon take Route 73 east for 3.3 miles and turn left onto Route 53. Head north for 1.6 miles and park at Minnie Barker Trailhead. Trails can also be accessed from the Blueberry Hill Inn and Cross-Country Ski Center on Forest Road 32 (Stop in and ask for permission). Leicester Hollow Trailhead: The Leicester Hollow Parking Area is currently closed due to a condemned bridge. Please use the Minnie Baker Trail to reach the Leicester Hollow Trail. Falls of Lana Parking Recommended Loop Ride: At Brandon take Route 73 east. Go past Route 53 and turn left onto Town Hill Rd. to Goshen. Take the Goshen-Ripton Rd. (Forest Road 32) north to the intersection with Forest Roads 27 and 224. Turn right onto Forest Rd. 224 and proceed to parking area.
General Description: The Moosalamoo region, comprising more than 20,000 acres north of Rutland Vermont lies in the northern half of the Green Mountain National Forest. The hilly terrain is forested with spruce, fir, and northern hardwoods and 2,640 ft Mount Moosalamoo is the highest peak in the area. The famous poet, Robert Frost, spent his summers in Moosalamoo for about 40 years and claims to have found much inspiration and solitude here. To find your own inspiration, get on your bike and ride. This area offers more than 60 miles of cross country ski trails that will provide you days of mountain biking adventures. In conjunction with Forest Service Roads 27, 32 and the Leicester Hollow Trail, you can do an inspiring 16 mile mountain bike loop ride. The route takes you past serene Silver Lake, where no motorized boats are allowed. Silver Lake is a beautiful place for a swim, where you will also find a primitive campground and picnic area. You can combine this mountain bike tour with optional spur trips on the Minnie Baker Trail or out to Lana Falls where you can cool your feet at the base of the Falls of Llana. The Falls are layered in three sections with several good swimming holes. It is suggested to do this ride in a counter-clockwise direction (See our Bikes & Beaches feature article for more detail). Let the town of Brandon serve as your base. Chartered in 1761, the town and surrounding area offers many things for you and your family to explore and do. Browse the antique shops, historic buildings, museums, and the many art galleries. It is an inspiring backdrop for both a relaxing and memorable Vermont vacation with all 243 of its downtown core area houses and buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. Brandon is a study in early American architecture and Vermont history. There are several good restaurants, an ice cream shop, B&Bs and motels in or near town. The 12 room Blueberry Hill Inn, with a restored 1813 farmhouse, located on the Goshen-Ripton Road (Forest Road 32) is perfect for a romantic weekend bike getaway. It offers its own network of cross-country ski trails that are open to mountain biking in the summer months, providing good riding opportunities for all skill levels. You can also access miles of trails and unpaved country back roads in the area, including the Leicester Hollow Loop Trail, directly from the Inn. A good detailed map of the trails can be purchased at the Blueberry Inn Cross Country Ski Center.
The Trails: We parked at the Blueberry Hill Inn Parking Area. From the parking area ride back to Forest Road 32, cross and take Forest Road 27 toward Silver Lake. Vehicles do travel this road, but the traffic is extremely light. After several miles of riding through the Green Mountain National Forest you will reach a closed gate with a vehicle parking area on the left. Go around the gate and descend steeply before arriving at a well-marked junction for the Leicester Hollow Trail. Before continuing the ride take a short trail to the picnic area and small beach on Silver Lake. This is a beautiful spot for a rest or lunch break. You can turn right at the junction for a side trip to the Falls of Lana. The descent to the falls is fairly steep. On a recent trip there, the low flow of water made for a less than spectacular experience and did require a return trip that gained 800 ft. in less than a mile! Only the strongest riders will avoid walking their bikes back most of the way. If you want to check out the falls without having to make the long climb back by bike, then drive to the trailhead just south of Branbury State Park on Route 53 and hike over to the falls. Leicester Hollow Trail: Back at the Silver Lake junction turn onto the Leicester Hollow Trail. This single and doubletrack trail follows the Leicester Hollow Brook, crossing it many times. There are many trail intersections and campsite spurs as the trail passes through the Silver Lake Recreation Area - be sure to remain on the main trail. This trail is 4.8 miles long with an elevation drop (from Silver Lake) of about 250 ft. and average ride time of 2-2 1/2 hrs. The Leicester Hollow Trail is a good place for beginning mountain bikers to get the feel of singletrack riding. Expect to encounter an occasional downed tree or rocky section. At the end of the trail stay to the left and take a gravel road to paved Route 73. After around 3/4 mile turn left onto the Goshen-Ripton Rd. (FR32), following signs to the Blueberry Hill Inn. The uphill ride on FR32 will take you back to the intersection with FR224. Turn right to reach your car. The Leicester Hollow Trail Parking Area (southern end of trail) is currently closed due to a condemned bridge. If you want to access the trail without doing this loop, use the Minnie Baker Trail to reach it (see directions to parking).
Minnie Baker Trail: The Minnie Baker Trail climbs steeply in several pitches from route 53, and then descends to the Leicester Hollow Trail on a long downgrade with a hairpin turn. It meets the Leicester Hollow Trail 0.5 miles north of the Leicester Hollow Parking Lot. The length is 1.2 miles, and max. elevation change is 800 ft. Ave. Average ride time is 3⁄4 - 1 hr.
For more information: Green Mountain National Forest Phone: (802) 747-6700
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