CTA Closes on 5th Trail Easement in Huntington!

[Tara Hamilton]

Dave Brautigam conveys 2nd Trail Easement in Huntington to CTA!

Just before CTA’s Annual Meeting on November 10, CTA and Dave Brautigam signed the necessary documents to permanently protect another section of Trail in Huntington. CTA now holds five easements in that town. Together with a stretch that crosses the Huntington Town Forest, and several sections traversing state land, these easements give us skiers ample assurance that the Trail will be accessible for generations to come!

This length of newly protected Catamount Trail travels along the Cobble Hill Trail, one of many trails in the Camel’s Hump Skier’s Association network. An old favorite, the Trail goes up and over – you guessed it – Cobble Hill! Seductive glimpses of Camel’s Hump tempt you to the east, while views of the Champlain Valley fan out to the west as you traverse the western flank of the Green Mountains.

Dave is no slouch when it comes to trail protection, or anything that has to do with Nordic skiing and trails for that matter. He conveyed another trail easement to CTA back in 2001, which protected the section directly north of the one just completed.

One of the founding Board of Directors of CTA in 1984, Dave was in fact was co-chair of the Board for a couple of terms. He was also a trail chief for CTA for a number of years, having “adopted” a section of the trail and agreeing to maintain it throughout the ski season.

Dave was also one of the original owner/instigators of the Camel’s Hump Skier’s Association (CHSA) in Huntington. CHSA is a member-supported, cooperative association that maintains more than 60km of trails that are open to its members. You can also become a “member for a day” by paying a day-use fee at the warming hut at the end of Handy Road (a left off of Bert White Road). If you want to see a map of their trails or become a member of the organization call 802) 434-2180 or go to www.camelshumpskiers.com.