Janice (left) and Jurgen Marks stand in front of their new “JnJ” trail sign. Bethel Citizen photo by Samuel Wheeler

WOODSTOCK — A new section of trail was recently added to the Bucks and Lapham Ledge Trail network thanks to the work of Woodstock resident Jurgen Marks, who designed and built the new, 1.5 mile backcountry “JnJ” trail, with his wife, Janice.

The new section will connect Bucks Ledge to Moody Mountain before coming back down to the logging road which takes hikers back to the parking lot off Route 26.

To get the full, 4.6 mile workout in, hikers should start by taking the trail up to Lapham Ledge (0.5 miles), descending back down to the logging road (0.5 miles) to quickly connect to the Bucks Ledge trail, which is about 0.6 miles to the top. From there, the 1.5 mile JnJ trail will take hikers to Moody Mountain before connecting them back to the logging road, which is 1.5 miles away from the parking lot.

The AllTrails website describes the new backcountry trail as “a shaded hike under trees with young and older forest growth.” The trail also provides hikers with scenic views of nearby lakes and ponds and views of The Presidential and Mahoosuc Mountain ranges.

Marks said he eventually hopes to make a trail that will take hikers back to Lapham Ledge and down to the parking lot that way, so hikers do not have to spend as much time walking the logging road.

The Woodstock Conservation Commission maintains the network of trails.

Although rather new on the AllTrails website, the JnJ trail has already received many positive reviews from hikers statewide.

Dogs are allowed on any of the trails/loops and are encouraged to be leashed.

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