Local Dirt: Three Craftsburys Loop
Photo pulled from the Outdoor Center photo archives. Perhaps these runners are on the final stretch of the ‘Three Craftsburys’ loop!
Welcome back to ‘Local Dirt’, our home for reporting local loops, class IV discoveries, and scenic dirt road cruises. Take a tour of Craftsbury’s central hubs with this classic running route pulled straight from the archives.
While working on an Outdoor Center photo archives project, a resident GRP biathlete found a hand-drawn map titled ‘Running Routes’. Dated May 3, 85 with author unknown [ed: the handwriting strongly suggests John Brodhead], the map details a number of loops run from the Outdoor Center. As a map nerd and local running enthusiast, I was excited to see many of the routes are still the go-to runs at our camps and in the Craftsbury community. Many are also still named the same - Common Loop, Lake Loop, and Ridge Run. I was most intrigued by a route I had never done before, titled “Three Craftsburys Loop”. This new-to-me, old loop runs from the Center to Craftsbury Common, down through Craftsbury Village, up through the center of East Craftsbury, and back to the Outdoor Center. My curiousity piqued, I set out to run the route a few days later. Below we offer a summary of the route as run on November 27, 2019, followed by suggestions for future renditions.
The map found in the Outdoor Center archives highlighting many classic running routes we still run regularly today.
Distance: 11.0 miles
Max elevation: 1335’
Elevation gain: 1309’
Terrain: Rolling hills with 3 major climbs up East Craftsbury Road, King Farm Road, and Lost Nation Road.
Conditions: Balmy; mid-30s, party sunny clouds and low wind.
Route: Starting from the Outdoor Center, run South on Lost Nation Road towards Mill Village Road. Turn left at the stop sign onto Mill Village Road at 0.5 miles, and continue on Mill Village as you pass the boat landing on your right and King Farm road on your left. At 1.6 miles turn left onto Wylie Hill before continuing straight onto the paved North Craftsbury at 1.7 miles. At 2.5 miles you will reach Craftsbury Common, the first of the three Craftsburys! Continue along the Common, passing Craftsbury Academy on your left and the surrounding buildings of Sterling College.
After running through Craftsbury Common, begin the long winding descent on North Craftsbury Road into Craftsbury Village, the second of the three Craftsburys! At 4.0 miles continue straight as the road turns to South Craftsbury Road to run through the main strip of the Village, passing local businesses C Village Store, Craftsbury General Store, Thompson’s Family Farm Stand, and Pete’s Greens.
As you leave the main Village, turn left onto East Craftsbury Road at 4.7 miles to begin the first of three substantial hills. Climb for ~1.5 miles to reach East Craftsbury, the third of the three Craftsburys! Hug left at the intersection to return to dirt on South Albany Road. Quickly turn left again onto Ketchum Hill Road at 6.4 miles. Run the mile-long descent of Ketchum Hill Road, taking in the wide views of (blank ridge) and windmills. At the base of the hill (7.4 miles) turn left onto Creek Road. Next turn right onto King Farm Road at 8.0 miles for the second long climb. Continue straight on King Farm Road as you crest the hill, passing Dustan Road and Strong Road on your left. At 9.8 miles, continue straight through the intersection to return to Mill Village Road. Turn right onto Lost Nation Road at 10.5 miles for the final steep ascent to return to the Center. Three Craftsburys - and three hills - complete!
Heidi’s Helpful Hints:
Be advised - this route is hilly! As the old map notes, “this could be called Three Hills Loop”. Be prepared from some sustained climbing as well as long, and at times steep, descents. An excellent choice when you are looking to do hill-specific training!
Don’t forget to relish the novelty of running through three different villages of Craftsbury in one run! This route is a true tour of Craftsbury and its community centers. If you’re visiting the area, this is a great way to take in the town’s three main community centers.
Switch up the direction you run this route to keep it interesting. Running a loop in the opposite direction often feels like an entirely different run!
Going on the above suggestion, I am curious what it would be like to run this route by running down King Farm Road and up Ketchum Hill Road. One potential draw-back to this direction is the long, winding climb from the Village up to the Common on North Craftsbury Road. Conversely, climbing Ketchum Hill and descending East Craftsbury may be more enjoyable. Worth a try!
Add this run to your arsenal of Craftsbury running loops! While we love the tried and true Ridge Run, it’s great to have another loop of similar length but varied terrain and scenery.
Another photo from the Outdoor Center archives, showing a group of runners on King Farm Road with Little Hosmer Pond behind.