2018/19 Snow Traveler’s Guide to Vermont | 23 Clubs - Orleans County If you are looking for a county that has it all, Orleans county is your place. Nestled at the very top and center of Vermont on the Canadian Border, Orleans county offers terrain of all types, with plenty of great stops along the way. Divided in half by Interstate 91, there is easy access to most of our county. Much like Aroostook county in Maine, Orleans county is known as “The County” and is often referred to as the crown of Vermont. Today, I’ll take you on a journey around The County that will leave you wanting to come back for more. Our journey starts right off of Interstate 91, Exit 28 in Derby. About two miles North on US Route 5 you will find Walt’s Sales and Service, a local Ski-Doo dealer and VAST parking lot. Once you are unloaded, we will get started. You will begin on the Drift Dusters Snowmobile Club trail system. Once we depart Walt’s we are going to head north on Corridor 5 to Intersection OS 7 and Corridor 14. Take a right and head South on Corridor 14. You will travel under the interstate, and along the Clyde River until you pop back up into Derby’s business district. Here you have access to restaurants, hotels, gas and even a WalMart (just follow the signs.) At OS 9, you will turn right which brings you onto Corridor 14A down into Newport City. You can then turn left and it will bring you into Downtown Newport City also known as “Vermont’s Snowmobile City.” Here, thanks to North Country Mountaineers, you will have access to many downtown services and enjoy the only Vermont city you can snowmobile into most of the season! Don’t feel comfortable crossing the lake? Follow the detour displayed on the bright green signs at OS 6. We suggest you avoid the lake (No ice is safe ice!) and take the detour displayed on the bright green signs at OS 6. This will take you about 22 miles through North Country Mountaineers trails in Coventry. Once you are around the lake, you will then be in the Missisquoi River Valley on Country Riders Snowmobile Club trails. Continue on Corridor 14B, take a left at OS 41 to OS 28 and then take a small section of Corridor 105 east to Corridor 120. Keep an eye out for deer on the trail as you will be traveling through an active deer yard! At OS 21, veer left and follow Corridor 120 for the next 15 miles. As you travel west, don’t forget to take in the views of the Green Mountains as you get closer. The ski resort you see is Jay Peak. Follow Corridor 120 to the top of Richford Mountain just so you can take in the views. You are on the highest snowmobile trail in Orleans county! Return back down the mountain (or you will end up in Franklin county) to OS 35 and take a right onto Corridor 242. Take Corridor 242 south down the spine of the Green Mountains for another 15 miles all the way to the end of 242 at OS 62. There are plenty of places to stop along the way to get pictures of the easterly view. You are now entering the Hazen’s Notch Snowmobile Club trail system. From here, take 105C east into the town of Lowell, where you can stop and grab a snack at the local general store! Hop on Corridor 100 at OS 60 and head southeast, back into the Lowell Mountain range where you will drive near the base of the large wind turbines and through the State of Vermont Wild Branch Wildlife Management Area. Take a left at Intersection LE 11 (you just went through a small portion of Lamoille county) and stay on Corridor 14 South. You are now on Craftsbury Snowmobile Club’s trails. When you travel through the Village of Craftsbury, don’t forget to stop at the Craftsbury General Store to stock up on Vermont goodies! At Intersection OS 55, you will take a left and begin your trek back north. You have now entered onto Glover Trail Winders trail system. Take Corridor 16 north about 10 miles to Lake Parker where you can stop at the Lake Parker General Store and indulge in some excellent Parker Pie! Don’t stay too long because we still have a couple more hours of riding left. When you leave Parker Pie, travel north on Corridor 16 to intersection OS 59 and take a left west on Corridor 122. Follow 122 to Intersection OS 45 with 14. A quick 1/3 mile to the south will take you to Bob’s Quick Stop for gas and munchies. You have now entered onto Orleans Snowstormers trail system! Travel north on Corridor 14 and go through Irasburg, a quaint New England style town and on to OS 11. From this intersection, continue straight on Corridor 58 east and into the Village of Orleans. The Orleans Village Pizza is located right on the trail next to the bridge over the Barton River. Continue east on Corridor 58 to OS 131 and turn left on Corridor 58 towards Brownington. Take Corridor 58 north all the way to OS 16. You will travel through farm fields and small hills with breathtaking views. Keep an eye out for the historic Old Stone House museum, not far from the trail just south of OS 89. Continue on Corridor 58. Take a left at OS 16 and you have now entered back onto Drift Dusters trail system. Take Corridor 5 north all the way to OS 2 and take a left to continue to OS 7. The Cow Palace Restaurant awaits you just a short way up Corrifor 14. Take your gear off, relax, and have a warm cup of coffee. It’s likely you will run into many other snowmobilers just finishing their day’s ride. Return back to OS 7 and ake a right on Corridor 5 all the way back to Walt’s Sales and Service. You have just ridden around every Orleans county clubs’ trails. This is a good daily mileage for Vermont, but we know you can do it! When you pass by a service, please stop in and patronize them. They rely on your business. If you see folks snowshoeing, cross country skiing or fat biking, give them a wave as they could be a landowner! Most importantly, take a lot of pictures, be safe and have fun in our county! Orleans County Director Roger Gosselin Featured Loop