The Sheep Thrills Trail Gets a Makeover

PRESS RELEASE: Fellowship of the Wheel

As with most multi-use trail networks, the Fellowship of the Wheel must balance the exciting characteristics of a trail with various forest management plans, trail user groups, and sustainability needs on the trails they manage in Chittenden County, Vermont. Over the years, the Sheep Thrills trail in the Hinesburg Town Forest has become a trail loved by many, especially those looking for more advanced technical features and higher speeds. However, the trail crosses some areas in the forest with challenging water management issues. In order to prevent trail closures and maintain compliance with progressive forest management plans, an overhaul of the trail was needed.

This project was led by Fellowship of the Wheel Trails Director Mickey Stone. Mickey brings 30 years of experience in trail building, horticulture, hydrology, and limnology to his daily work. Along with trail crew members Walter Silbernagel, Eric Winter, and Andy Weiss, Mickey began performed an assessment of the existing trail and then flagged alternative routes that would prevent future erosion and negative impacts on natural communities.


Once the assessment was complete and flags were in place, Fellowship board member Adam Morse and local resident Tim White met with Mickey to review the plans for the trail in an effort to maintain the qualities that make Sheep Thrills such a fantastic trail. Adam and Tim have years of experience racing professional downhill and enduro regionally and internationally. This group descended the trail together and flag-by-flag, shared ideas and perspectives to harmoniously incorporate solutions that satisfied all parties.

With the final flags in place, Mickey and the trail crew got to work with the help of many volunteers, including employees from the local business, to bring the vision into a reality. The end result, well, take a look for yourself, and don’t forget to brake for amphibians. To support the Fellowship of the Wheel or learn more, visit www.fotwheel.org.