An addendum to story on growing Appalachian Trail

“Why the Appalachian Trail keeps getting longer,” published Aug. 6 (Page D1), was a fascinating account of how relocations in the storied trail have lengthened it since its completion in 1937.

However, some stretches of the trail have gotten longer with no physical change in the trail whatever. There’s at least one such stretch in the Upper Valley.

When the AT was first mapped, many pieces were drawn on topographic maps by memory by the builders or other mapmakers, and the length estimated by the scale of the map. Sometimes mapmakers didn’t know the actual route. So they measured the straight-line distance between known points on the map, and added a fudge factor to account for twists and turns.

No one knows how it happened, but the distance on the Appalachian Trail between Vermont Route 12 and Woodstock Stage Road was incorrectly shown on trail signs, and on the maps and guidebooks published by the Appalachian Trail Conference and the Green Mountain Club. The error was discovered several years ago by GPS on a hike jointly sponsored and led by the National Park Service and the Upper Valley Ottauquechee Section (chapter) of the Green Mountain Club. The section maintains the AT between Killington, Vt., and Norwich.

GPS receivers are often inaccurate on hilly forest trails, because steep slopes and dense foliage weaken satellite signals. So on a later hike the Upper Valley Ottauquechee Section measured the trail with a survey wheel.

The result: The length between the two roads was 2.2 miles — almost 50% more than the 1.5 miles on signs, maps and guidebooks.

“I always thought that was an awfully long mile and a half,” commented Heinz Trebitz of Norwich, who, as the Green Mountain Club adopter of the trail segment, inspects and maintains it regularly.

Thus the length of the AT grew by seven-tenths of a mile with no change on the ground. If you check the wooden U.S. Forest Service signs at the road crossings, you’ll see little wood blocks with the correct distance attached to them.

Richard Andrews

Springfield, Vt.

Clarity on travel with Tri-Valley Transit

After reading Frances Mize’s story about people experiencing homelessness in Bradford, Vt., I wanted to offer some clarity about Tri-Valley Transit’s services in the area.

Recent workforce concerns have resulted in a temporary suspension of River Route No. 2, running between Wells River and Lebanon. Even with this temporary suspension, TVT’s River Route schedule currently provides five trips each weekday between Wells River and Lebanon that includes access to The Upper Valley Haven and Vermont state offices in White River Junction — two trips each weekday morning and afternoon, and another in the middle of the day. We also operate the Bradford Area Circulator that offers robust service between Bradford and Fairlee two days each week, and between Bradford and Wells River three days each week. These routes are available to everyone and are offered at zero fares. Schedules and more details are available at trivalleytransit.org or by calling 802-728-3773.

In addition to public bus service, we operate a Dial-a-Ride program that utilizes volunteer drivers and wheelchair-accessible buses to offer door-to-door service for older adults, people with disabilities, and low-income families and individuals that cannot access bus routes. Various grant-funded programs deliver services to eligible individuals at no cost.

We recognize that our services may not fill every need or desire in the community, but in combination provide extensive opportunities for people in Bradford, whether dependent on public transit or riding by choice, to access employment, medical care, social services and other personal needs.

Thank you for raising awareness about this important issue, and the opportunity to clarify the public transportation services available in the community.

Mike Reiderer

Randolph