Fall in Love with
the North Country Trail
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From the Executive Director
Last month, I wrote about how MALT is more than just the Trail Around Middlebury (TAM). For nearly 40 years, we have helped conserve 4,359 acres across our region while expanding our work in land stewardship, environmental education, and outdoor recreation.
This month, I want to build on that idea with another: MALT’s trail influence also extends well beyond the TAM—and farther than many people might realize.
MALT is an affiliate of the North Country Trail Association, helping steward a significant and complex section of the North Country National Scenic Trail (NCNST) through the Champlain Valley. Stretching roughly 4,800 miles across eight states, the NCNST is the longest trail in the National Trails System, running from North Dakota through the upper Midwest, Pennsylvania, and New York before reaching Vermont’s Green Mountains.
Last weekend, I had the privilege of representing MALT at the celebration of the trail’s new eastern terminus at Maine Junction near Killington. It was a special moment. Representatives from the North Country Trail Association, U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, Green Mountain Club, and other partners spoke about the extraordinary collaboration required to complete this connection.
MALT was specifically recognized for our critical role, and our own John Derick received well-deserved recognition for his years of advocacy, persistence, relationship-building, and hands-on work that helped make the Vermont connection possible. MALT’s contribution becomes even clearer when you look at the geography. Much of the route through the Green Mountains could take advantage of existing trails. Connecting the NCNST across the Champlain Valley through Addison County, however, meant establishing sections of an entirely new trail corridor—and represented one of the more difficult pieces of the puzzle. It simply would not have happened without MALT, our local towns and communities, and the collaboration of landowners such as Monument Farms.
And here is where the geography gets really exciting. Maine Junction is also where the Appalachian Trail and Long Trail diverge. Through our work on the NCNST in the Champlain Valley, MALT and the trails we steward are therefore connected to three nationally significant long-distance trail systems.
Think about that for a moment: from the trails here in Middlebury, we are part of a connected trail network that reaches thousands of miles across the country. In theory, you could put on your hiking boots at Chipman Hill and keep walking south to Springer Mountain in Georgia, west along the NCNST toward North Dakota, north toward the Canadian border, or east toward Baxter State Park in Maine. Any way you slice it, that’s a pretty remarkable connection—and contribution—for a community land trust based in the heart of Addison County.
Closer to home, September was also a great month for getting people outside. Despite a rainy day, our 23rd annual TAM Trek brought out more than 160 participants. Our fastest runner completed the entire 19-mile TAM in an astonishing 2 hours and 3 minutes!
We also partnered with Middlebury College Outdoor Programs to host the first Middlebury Disc Golf Tournament on the College’s nine-hole course just off the TAM. It was another fun way to introduce people—particularly Middlebury College students—to MALT and to the many ways our trails can connect people with the outdoors.
All of this feels especially meaningful as we look toward 2027, MALT’s 40th year. From conserving thousands of acres across Addison County to maintaining local trails that connect far into national networks, our reach has grown tremendously since 1987.
We have a lot to be proud of—and many more miles ahead.
— Kevin Fox
MALT Executive Director
NOTE: From local trails in Addison County to connections with nationally significant trail networks, this work is possible because of people who believe in conserving land and connecting our community to the outdoors. If you would like to support MALT’s conservation, stewardship, trails, and environmental education work, you can make a gift here[👉 GIVE NOW!]. Every contribution helps us protect more land, care for more trails, and create more opportunities for people to connect with the places around them.
Here’s your guide to this month’s e-news:
- North Country Trail Highlight
- 23rd Annual TAM Trek
- Upcoming Events
- Open Spots In Afterschool Programs
- Thank You,Travis
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Building the North Country Trail
Through Middlebury
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The North Country Trail’s journey through Middlebury began nearly two decades ago, with a phone call to MALT.
Today, parts of the North Country Trail (NCT) follow the TAM, as you may have noticed from the NCT’s distinctive blue trail signage along the way. The sections of the NCT around Middlebury are managed by MALT, making the trail an important part of MALT’s broader trail stewardship work. But that connection did not happen overnight. It is the result of nearly two decades of planning, collaboration, easement negotiations, and trail building.
In 2006, the North Country Trail Association (NCTA) reached out to MALT to ask if we would be willing to host informational meetings about the trail and whether we had any ideas about how a route could connect from the Crown Point Bridge toward the Green Mountains. MALT began hosting meetings over the next several years, including gatherings at the Weybridge Church and at the MALT office. At the time, Tom Gilbert, the Executive Director of the North Country National Scenic Trail, was particularly enthusiastic about making the connection happen.
But figuring out exactly where the trail would go was no easy task.
By 2010, MALT and NCTA were working through several potential routes. One idea was to take the trail over Snake Mountain, but Vermont Fish & Wildlife did not support that option. The challenge then became finding an overland route that could avoid roads while also navigating the many different private properties between Middlebury and the Green Mountains.
In 2012, John Derick and MALT’s summer intern, Emma Loizeaux, helped move the conversation forward. They began talking with Monument Farms about how the trail might cross their property and connect to Prunier Road while minimizing the amount of road walking. One possibility was to follow the Lemonfair River, but the area proved far too wet. Instead, the route was eventually shifted onto an existing farm road.
Even with a route identified, there was still work to do. MALT needed to negotiate easements across private properties to connect the trail to the Jackson Trail. In 2012, a boardwalk was built to help make that connection possible.
“Without Monument Farms’ support, we wouldn’t have been able to do it,” John said.
The work continued east of Middlebury several years later. In 2019, MALT began looking more closely at a potential route through East Middlebury. One parcel was owned by a lumber company, which was understandably uncomfortable with allowing public access across its property. At the same time, the property was for sale, creating another possible path forward.
When the property changed hands, the new owners were willing to work with MALT to allow the trail across their land. Two years later, in 2022, MALT secured the easement.
That opened the way for a new section of trail connecting from the Middlebury River Bridge up toward Upper Plains Road. Some of the route followed old ATV roads, but they covered only about a quarter of the desired trail. MALT had to carve new sections of trail through the woods to complete the connection. Elise Heppell was a major help with this work, and much of the trail construction took place in 2022 and 2023.
There are still gaps to fill. Between Middle Road and East Middlebury, MALT continues to look for opportunities to establish a trail that would reduce the amount of road walking. The area presents a particular challenge because of its wet terrain, as well as the need to work with multiple landowners.
That is part of the reality of building a National Scenic Trail. While the North Country Trail stretches from the Dakotas all the way to Vermont, large portions of the route still follow roads. Moving the trail onto dedicated off-road corridors takes time, particularly when it requires negotiating easements and building relationships with private landowners.
The North Country Trail is also part of the National Trails System and is administered by the National Park Service, which means that establishing new sections involves a number of steps and approvals.
Today, the North Country Trail through Middlebury represents years of work that happened largely behind the scenes: meetings, route planning, conversations with landowners, easement negotiations, grant support, trail construction, and plenty of persistence.
What began with a question from the North Country Trail Association in 2006 has grown into a trail connection that links Middlebury and the Champlain Valley to a much larger national trail stretching across the country.
And, as John’s story makes clear, none of it would have been possible without the willingness of local landowners and partners to work together to make the trail a reality.
To see a map of the Vermont sections of the North Country Trail, click the link below:
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Thank you for another amazing TAM Trek! Despite the rainy weather, the event was a huge success. The cold, wet conditions even made for some speedy times! Congratulations to all of the runners who took on the TAM Trek!
A huge thank you to all of our incredible volunteers who helped make the race happen, from setting up and cheering runners on to keeping everyone fueled along the course. We couldn’t put on this event without you!
And another huge thank you to this year’s sponsors who helped make TAM Trek possible. We’re so grateful to the businesses and organizations that continue to support this event and our community.
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2026 TAM Trek Medals designed and made by Travis Kornegay and Alice Gipe
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WHAT: Interested in mushrooms that grow in the wild? Join naturalist, mycologist and professional photographer Meg Madden for a curiosity walk along the Wright Park hiking trails.
WHEN: Friday, October 9 from 9:00 am – 11:00 am; this event involves a guided hike, so please arrive promptly!
WHERE: Wright Park, Middlebury, VT. Use the parking area on Seymour St. Extension
WHO: This event is appropriate for families and people of all ages. Wear appropriate footwear for walking on the forested paths, dress for the weather, and bring water. There are no bathrooms on site, so please plan accordingly.
COST: FREE, with a suggested donation of $10 per person / $25 per family.
REGISTER: Spots are limited, so registration is required to attend. Maximum of 20 people. If you can no longer make it after registering, just let us know at Rachel@maltvt.org so we can offer your spot to someone else.
It's widely known that some fungi are decomposers, but did you know that they can also eat plastic, clean up oil spills, hunt for prey, and enable trees to talk to each other? Join renowned mushroom photographer, accomplished author, community science advocate, and mycology educator, Meg Madden, on a mushroom curiosity walk to learn more about the lives of these fascinating organisms. As we explore the woods we’ll talk about the mushrooms we find along the way including what they are and how to identify them. From cycling nutrients to connecting trees, we will talk about the essential roles that fungi play within their natural communities. Meg will also discuss the importance of community science, how you can contribute to Vermont's growing database of fungi species on iNaturalist, and share tips and tricks for taking scientific grade mushroom photos. Meg shares her knowledge and contagious passion for the fantastic world of fungi through visually engaging presentations, mushroom walks, and her Instagram gallery @spore.stories.
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Full Moon Hike with Vermont Land Trust
WHEN: October 24, 2026 5:30-6:30pm
WHERE: Salisbury Mills Preserve
WHO: This event is targeted towards families with children ages 4-10, but all are welcome to join.
WHAT: Grab a headlamp and join the Middlebury Area Land Trust and Vermont Land Trust for a family-friendly Hunter’s Moon adventure after dark! We’ll explore the beautiful Salisbury Mills Preserve on an easy, half-mile walk beneath the glow of the October full moon. Along the way, we’ll learn about nocturnal animals, listen for nighttime sounds, and play a fun game or two—perfect for curious kids and grown-ups alike.
After our moonlit hike, we’ll gather back at the trailhead to enjoy complimentary hot cocoa and a snack while listening to a short story connected to the lore and meaning of the Hunter’s Moon. Costumes are welcome if you’re feeling festive—just keep them fun rather than spooky!
COST: FREE!
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A Few Spots Left In Fall 2026
Afterschool Programs
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Registration is OPEN for Fall 2026 Afterschool & Halfday programs!
Fall is here, and so is our full lineup of afterschool and early release day programming — and families are already grabbing their spots!
Fall Afterschool
Thursdays: FULL — thank you for the incredible response!
Wednesdays at Cornwall: A few spots left in our magical sugar woods program at Bread Loaf View Farm
Tuesdays: Just 1 spot remaining — don't wait!
Grab 'em while you can — spots are going quickly and we'd hate for you to miss out on a session!
Head to malt.jumbula.com to see full program details, pricing, and to register. Questions? We're happy to help — just email youthprograms@maltvt.org.
We can't wait to get outside with your kids this year!
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Travis Kornegay with the 2026 TAM Trek Medals that he designed and made with UVM Intern Alice Gipe
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After six months with MALT, Travis Kornegay is wrapping up his service with VHCB AmeriCorps—his third AmeriCorps term and an extraordinary commitment to service.
Travis has left a lasting mark on MALT. He helped transform our conservation easement monitoring and stewardship systems, contributed to forest inventories and land management planning, tackled invasive species, and pitched in on trail projects across the TAM. Thanks in large part to his work, we have now monitored more than 85% of our easement properties this year and are on track to reach 100%.
Beyond everything he accomplished, Travis brought a deep knowledge and love of New England’s forests and plants, a willingness to jump into whatever needed doing, and a warm presence to our team.
We’re going to miss him, but before he goes, we asked Travis to share—in his own words—his AmeriCorps journey, what service has meant to him, and the experiences that brought him to MALT.
Thank you for your service, Travis, and read on for his story!
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Serving with MALT as an AmeriCorps Member: An Overview of my Term with VHCB/MALT
By Travis Kornegay
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As my term with MALT comes to a close, I thought it would be fitting to write a reflection of my six months serving in Addison county. I hope this description of my experience here will shed some more light on what AmeriCorps members do for partner organizations and how it can benefit young people who are looking for ways to jumpstart their careers.
Since I graduated from UConn, I’ve served with three separate AmeriCorps programs across the US (AmeriCorps Cape Cod, California Conservation Corps Watershed Stewards Program, and MALT). My current Americorps program in Vermont is administered by the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board (VHCB) which places members with local non-profit and community organizations across the state. My service here has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. As a newcomer to the Middlebury area, I was excited for the chance to live in Vermont, continue serving with AmeriCorps, and gain the opportunity to contribute towards MALT’s long-term goals. Through my position, I served as a member of the conservation and stewardship team, which involved organizing our conservation files, conducting easement monitoring visits, maintaining sections of the TAM, and conducting a forest inventory assessment with the Addison County forester in Willard’s Woods in Lincoln. While volunteering with MALT, I was able to gain some fairly useful insight into the internal workings of a land trust. I was also able to use the forest inventory assessment as an independent service project (ISP), which helped me develop some valuable skills that I hope to use as I pursue a career in forest management.
Despite these wonderful opportunities for real-world experiences, serving as an AmeriCorps member presents a few challenges. Finding affordable housing is a real concern. Only one of the year-long programs I’ve served with was able to provide housing, and for the other two I had to figure things out myself. Finding housing in Vermont before I started my service term was a bit difficult, but luckily I did have some help from the VHCB and MALT staff. Along with this help, the VHCB program provides resources to help make things easier for AmeriCorps members (EBT/SNAP benefits, pausing federal loans, reimbursement for work expenses, etc.) while they serve with their placement sites. Even with the housing challenges, the benefits vastly outweigh the challenges. AmeriCorps programs are generally able to provide valuable job training, fantastic connections in multiple industries, and education awards, which can be used for student loans and other qualified educational expenses. In addition, the connections and friends I’ve made locally helped me feel more at home and helped me connect with this community. Overall, the benefits of serving as an AmeriCorps member vastly outweighs the costs, which has given me the opportunity to support my local community in a meaningful way.
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I hope this month’s newsletter gave you a glimpse into the history of the North Country Trail and MALT’s role in bringing it to Middlebury. While the NCT may sometimes fly under the radar, the trail crew works hard to care for and maintain these sections alongside the TAM, and we’re proud to be stewards of this incredible cross country trail!
Now it’s your turn to hit the trail! If you haven’t already, be sure to get out and explore the NCT for yourself. There are plenty of beautiful sections to hike right here in our area!
Stay up to date with all MALT events by following us on Instagram: @middleburyarealandtrust, and our Facebook: Middlebury Area Land Trust, as well as on Front Porch Forum. Be sure to keep an eye on these pages so you don't miss any upcoming events!
Hailey Snider
Trails Steward and Community Engagement Coordinator
E-News Author
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Thanks to the generous support from our community, MALT is able to host free public programs, maintain our beloved trails, and host quality outdoor programming. Consider supporting our mission of connecting people to their locally conserved lands by becoming a member or renewing your membership today!
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The Middlebury Area Land Trust works with our community to conserve natural and productive landscapes, and to enhance scenic, recreational, and educational opportunities.
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