IP Road

[steve_b]

Any info on the IP road ? Is it a fire road, or rocky doubletrack ?

[steve_b]

Has anyone actually ridden the IP road ? ???

[tominvermont]

What and where is it? Is IP the initials or actual name of the road?

Tom

[rogueVT]

About the IP road, which i've worked on and ridden several times....IP road stands for the International Paper Co., whose land and road it was before being sold to the Forest Service in the late 80's. Now it's referred to in USFS-speak as FR 341 It's an abandoned logging road, gated to prevent motor vehicle access.
It's 10 miles long, running between the Kelly Stand road in the town of Stratton on the southern end and the
Kendall Farm road in Winhall/Bondville on the northern end.
The surface is slightly eroded, gravel/
dirt road, wider than double-track, baby-heads
in places, sand in others, mud in places when it's really wet.
Good views of Stratton, also Eqiunox and Mt Snow but only pre or post foliage.
As a shuttle start on the Kelly Stand end which is higher elevation, as an out and back start at Kendall Farm end so as to end on the long descent.
i'd rate it as an intermediate ride because of the length, and you should be able to fix most any mechanical problem that might come up 'cause it would be a really long walk out.
There are 2 crossings of the Appalachian and Long Trail, please stay off of these and other intersecting trails. Abuse of these closed side trails will be a deal-killer....
For any mre specifics, call the USFS at the Manchester Ranger district office,
(802) 362-2307. Ask about FR 341. Happy pedaling!