VAST trail marker assists rescue of family

Thanks to a well-marked VAST snowmobile trail system in the Cotton Brook area between Waterbury and Stowe, four tired hikers from Waterbury Center were quickly located and rescued on Sunday.

Waterbury/Stowe

Around noon, a 31-year-old mother with three children (ages 5, 4, and 2) left the Little River State Campground for a hike. Approximately 5 hours later and more than 4 miles from their starting point, the children were too tired to continue and the mother used her cell phone to call for help.

The mother stated that they were at a sign post showing “WN77” which is a specific trail junction on the VAST snowmobile network. Rescuers from Stowe Mountain Rescue and Waterbury Backcountry Rescue Team then proceeded to that trail junction via the Cotton Brook Road in Moscow. The family was located shortly after 7:00 PM and subsequently driven to their car at the state campground. All members of the family were safe and uninjured.

In a well-coordinated effort, other agencies assisting were Vermont State Police dispatch, Vermont Fish and Wildlife, and Vermont Forests, Parks and Recreation.

Brian Lindner, Waterbury Backcountry Rescue Team Leader

*Waterbury Backcountry Rescue Team is a legal subsidiary of Waterbury Ambulance Service Inc. - a federally recognized 501( c )( 3 ) non-profit entity. The team provides rescue service from remote areas in the Waterbury area and supports surrounding communities via the mutual aid system.