LIBBY HILL FOREST RECREATIONAL AREA

January 12, 2003

Morton Trails
Box 124 Academy Road
Thetford Center, VT 05075

BE AWARE - OUTDOOR ENTHUSIASTS WILL COME

It's like wildfire for those outdoor enthusiasts. From dog walkers and bird watchers to skiers and mountain bikers once a trail is created they will come. That is how I learned of John Morton and his work. Several years back a neighboring town, Cumberland, Maine, acquired a large parcel of land and through the vision of a number of people decided to turn it into a multi-use recreation park which includes ball fields and trails. After skiing the trails it was quickly apparent that someone who knew that a trail could offer more than a way to get a 5k or 10k workout had laid them out. When our town requested a committee be formed to develop a parcel of land that had been generously gifted to it years earlier I knew we had to find the person that was involved in the Cumberland project. Upon inquiry I learned of John Morton and gave him a call and invited him for an initial consultation. His excitement and enthusiasm for the project was infectious.

To define John Morton, as just a trail designer would significantly limit what value he brings to a project. His experience in abutter relations, construction techniques, natural habitat, forestry, municipal govern¬ment, funding alternatives, volunteer coordination, wetlands and O'ya skiing and trail design are invaluable. Like an artist, the trails he creates have a style that takes into consideration all of the above factors and weaves them into a harmonious ribbon. For the swifter experts our trail is like an exhilarat¬ing roller coaster and for those that like to take it at a slower pace the turns and twists create a sense of vastness when many trails may pass only yards away. John's ability to efficiently utilize every attribute of the terrain is very impressive but you would have to doggedly track with him through the underbrush as I did to truly appreciate how so much goes into the layout to achieve such a great result.

If you want more than just a trail that can be enjoyed by all, John Morton's experience and vision will insure your success. I hope this letter of recommendation says enough but if anyone would like to see first hand John's work we now have four trails he designed within ten miles of my home and I would be happy to give you a tour.

Sincerely,

Carl Holmquist

DENALI NATIONAL PARK WILDERNESS CENTERS, LTD.

Camp Denali. North Face Lodge. Denali Institute

August 9, 2000

Mr. John Morton
Morton Trails
543 Old Strong Road
Thetford Center, Vermont 05075-9709

Dear John:

Greetings again from Denali National Park! Our summer is quickly turning into autumn with the colors of the upcoming season very much on a roll even at this early date. I walked your trail again this week and am pleased how the vegetation has filled in the cuts. It looks, as I wished, that the trail has been there for decades. Thanks again for all the good work that you and Andrew did in making such an appropriate trail along this portion of Lake Creek.

The National Park Service is having the gravel on the corner of the road mined. The plan will be to relocate the park road to the southwest as the corner is removed but to keep a walking trail on the east side of the present roadway with reclamation and green space between the old and the new. That will complete your trail via Land's bridge all the way to the Moose Creek bridge. In a couple of years we'll finally have an off road route all the way from the lodge to Moose Creek. Your work helped set the high standard that we were looking for with this entire project.

Sincere regards,

Wallace A. Cole
President
Post Office Box 67
Denali National Park, Alaska 99755

FISU

Fritz Holzer
Vice-President
Steinmatteliweg 9
3860 Meiringen
Switzerland
Berne, Switzerland October 1997

To whom it may concern:

During the period of 1993 - 1995 Mr. John Morton was the responsible person for the preparation work for the Biathlon-course of the Universiade 1997 in Muju/Chonju, Korea. Winter Universiade is beneath Winter Olympic Games the second biggest sport event all over the World.

The Biathlon courses in Muju had to be planned, constructed and designed from the very beginning. It was the first time that a Biathlon Championship was organized in this region. Mr. Morton chose on the golf course of Muju a system of Biathlon, which allows to combine different laps for all distances of women and men. He also took care that the races became attractive for athletes and spectators.

His solution and his courses suited Universiade very well. The design was excellent and the courses were homologated by the International Federations, FISU (International University. Sport Federation), IBU (International Biathlon Union) and FIS (International Ski Federation). The degree of difficulties correspond to the skill of University students.

The planning was not an easy one, because the competitions must take place together with the cross-country events which took place at the same time in the same region.

The planning was perfect, the courses were very interesting and corresponded with the international requests. The cooperation with Mr. John Morton was very satisfactory. His work was professional.

I am highly recommending Mr. John Morton for developing and designing Biathlon courses.

Fritz Holzer
President Winter Commission

DARTMOUTH COLLEGE

OUTDOOR PROGRAMS OFFICE
P.O. Box 9, H.B. 6142
Hanover, New Hampshire 03755
February 5, 1999

To whom it may concern:

Over the past year we have been working with the Dartmouth skiing coaches to design a new 7.5 K competition loop for the ski races which we host. The terrain available presents several critical design challenges, which result in the need for a long final descent to the finish. We had laid out a possible line but were unexcited by it.

We invited John Morton to review the problem with us, and in a single afternoon he completely revolutionized our thinking about what was possible in trail design. Working under severe time pressure, John laid out what has proved this winter to be an excellent route, a descent broken up with a variety of turns and several short climbs, all of which flow together in a nearly seamless way. Despite the route's challenges, the overall layout and banked turns John prescribed made it safe to ski, which was our highest priority. John's ability to read the landscape, see the possibilities, and fit them together was uncanny. .Perhaps best of all was the way that he managed to persuade us, in a gentle but professional way, to see the problem and the opportunities with new eyes. It was truly a pleasure to work with him on this project.

We recommend John Morton without reservation for your cross-country trail design needs.

Sincerely,

Earl Jette
Director, Outdoor Programs
David Hooke
Facilities Manager, Outdoor Programs

Mr. J.S. Yoon
Manager of the Master Plan Department
1997 Winter University Games
Muju Resort
Chon Buk, Korea

July 5, 1996

To Whom It May Concern:

I'd like to take the opportunity to write a letter of reference for Mr. John Morton in his work as a designer of cross-country ski trails.

Mr. Morton designed cross-country ski trails for 1997 Winter Universiade Game in the Muju Resort, Korea. He carefully surveyed the area and designed the best challenging trails which we believe will meet all international homologation specification. Mr. Morton's counsel and recommendation were critical components to our project's success.

I would highly recommend Mr. Morton to those who are interested in developing professionally designed cross-country ski trails. His in-depth experience in the Nordic sports together with genuine environmental concerns will make him a great asset to any ski trail designer.

Best Regards,

J S. Yoon
Executive Director

THETFORD ACADEMY

Academy Road, P. O. Box 190, Thetford, Vermont 05074

MARTHA JANE RICH
Head of School
December 1995
John M. Morton's Trail Designs

To Those For Whom Trails Are Important:

Roads are for transportation: getting from one place to another. Trails are for inspiration: moving the spirit as well as the body. Roads take the shortest route between two points. Trails take the most interesting route.

John Morton knows the difference between roads and trails. Thetford Academy has the finest cross-country trail in the Northeast because John Morton thought about what trail users would see, feel, and experience as they came around each turn and crested each hill. John was eager to give users a trail that inspired, challenged, and moved them. John wanted this trail to transport its users in the spiritual sense, not the physical sense.

John and I built Thetford Academy's 5,000-meter trail as a community project. John provided not only a trail design that was moving, challenging, and intelligent, but he was indefatigable in his work on the trail's actual construction. John brought to the building of this trail the ideal skills: the sensibilities of an elite athlete and coach of elite athletes; the vision of an artist; and the practical construction skills and strong back of a Paul Bunyan!

Let John design a trail for you. Let your athletes and citizens have an experience on that trail that combines, in the nicest way, the physical, the practical, and—most importantly—the sublime.

Sincerely yours,

Daniel F. Grossman
Coordinator of Trail Design and Construction

UNITED STATES OLYMPIC EDUCATION CENTER NORTHERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY

MEYLAND HALL. MARQUETTE, MICHIGAN 49855-5330.

December 29, 1993

To Whom it May Concern:

Mr. John Morton recently asked me to write a letter of support for his work as a designer of cross country ski trails, and I am very pleased to have the opportunity to do so.

Mr. Morton recently designed approximately ten kilometers of trails for cross country skiers and biathletes training at the United States Olympic Education Center at Northern Michigan University. Mr. Morton carefully surveyed a very large area and plotted challenging trails which we believe will meet all international homologation specifications.

This alone would have been a very important accomplishment but Mr. Morton's support did not stop there. He also took the time to learn more about this area and especially the unique relationships between the landowners, the land lessors, loggers, and local residents to ensure everyone's needs and desires were addressed. Mr. Morton's counsel and recommendations were critical components to our project's success.

I would highly recommend Mr. Morton to anyone interested in developing professionally designed cross country ski trails. His nordic sports experience, knowledge of the forestry industry, and genuine concern for the environment make him a great asset to any ski trail design team.

Sincerely,

Jeff Kleinschmidt
Director

KENTS HILL SCHOOL

Rist Bonnefond
Headmaster

July 25, 1995

To Whom it May Concern:

It is a pleasure to provide a letter of reference for John Morton in his work as a cross country ski trail designer.

John recently designed a new cross country trail system at Kents Hill. It encompasses approximately eight kilometers with the potential to be expanded to up to twenty. Throughout his time here John's work was noteworthy for its thoroughness, careful planning, and attention to detail. The result is that we have a trail that is the envy of our neighboring schools and which will serve our students for generations.

I would add that John is not only an extremely skilled trail designer but also a very hard worker. Time and again, when it seemed that we were getting bogged down in creating the trail system, John would arrive and infuse enormous energy into the project, personally clearing extensive sections of trail and providing an inspiration to others.

John is also a man of great integrity and warmth. Working with him is not only a professional but a personal pleasure.

I cannot imagine anyone equaling John Morton in abilities as a ski trail designer. Utilizing the insights lifetime on skis, John brings great vision, patience, determination to his work, and the result is sheer artistry. He has my most enthusiastic recommendation.

Sincerely,

Rist Bonnefond
Headmaster

Sincerely,

KENTS HILL, MAINE 04349-0257

Forsgren Associates / Inc.

August 27, 1997
RE: John Morton

To Whom It May Concern:

When our company was asked to be a consultant to the City of Provo, Utah as part of their quest to submit a proposal for hosting the 2002 Winter Olympics cross-country and biathlon venues, they asked us to find the most qualified ski trail design experts in the county. Our search for those experts led us to John Morton. As a member of our design team John demonstrated unparalleled experience, good judgment and professionalism.

Working with John was not only a great learning experience for me, but a personal pleasure. I found him to be a man of high moral values, outstanding professional integrity and honesty.

I do not hesitate recommending John to you as one of the worlds premier ski trail design experts and a person who would compliment any project team.

Sincerely,

LeRoy Dennis
Project Manager

A COMPANY OF PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS
370 EAST 500 SOUTH
SAL T LAKE CITY, UTAH 84111
REXBURG / BOISE / EVANSTON / WEST YELLOWSTONE / SAL T LAKE CITY / WENATCHEE

Pineland Farms

New Gloucester, Maine
October 4,2002

To Whom It May Concern:

John Morton has designed and laid out nearly 13 kilometers of trails for Pineland Farms in New Gloucester, Maine, and I have had the pleasure of working with him in the completion of the design and construction of them. The trails are not only for active outdoor use, such as cross-country skiing, and trail running, but he also designed a wonderful 1-mile loop for horseback riding in the forest behind our Equestrian Center.

The trails showcase much of Pineland' s picturesque landscape, and John masterfully maximized the use of our woodlands to get not only the most distance out of them, but he also designed them to get the trail users to see some of the best views of the farms. He was an expert and finding the most impressive sections of our old-growth timber wood lots, and he marked his trail with precision to preserve these beautiful trees so that people can enjoy their magnitude and grandeur. He also brought sections of trails through beautiful fields and pastures, but worked cooperatively with the farm managers to keep the trails out of the way of farm animals and equipment. John is truly a team player.

John's knowledge of cross country skiing has helped to make these trails some of the best in southern Maine. His philosophy is that "you should always be doing something when you're skiing," and the trails are designed accordingly. There is no dull terrain or boring views on our trails, thanks to John. Best of all, John's customer service is outstanding. He listens to what his customers want, and creates trails that meet their needs. I recommend working with John highly.

Todd Jepson
Executive Director Pineland Farms, Inc.

1545 Intervale Road
New Gloucester, ME 04260

Farm Office
110 Valley Farm Road New Gloucester Maine 04260

Equestrian Center
1545 Intervale Road
New Gloucester, Maine 04260

The National Trust for Scotland

FOR PLACES OF HISTORIC INTEREST OR NATURAL BEAUTY

Patron
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth
The Queen Mother

President: The Earl of Airlie KT GCVO
Chairman of Council: Professor Roger J Wheater OBE
Director: Trevor A Croft

To Whom It May Concern:

John Morton was a participant in a North American/UK Countryside Exchange visit from 13 -20 April 2002 in Braemar, Scotland.

The visit looked at developing ideas for sustainable tourism in Braemar. There were eight participants in the Exchange Programme, all professionals working either in countryside or involved in tourism - four from the United States and four from the United Kingdom.

John Morton was chosen to participate in the Programme because of his knowledge of the development of cross-country trails and downhill skiing.

At the end of the visit the Team produced a report and gave a Presentation to the local community. John was an active and valued member of the Team and produced the parts of the Report relating to downhill and cross-country ski-ing and possible local development.

The Report was well received by the local community and the community is currently developing ideas from the original plan and taking these forward with great enthusiasm.

There is no doubt that we were very fortunate in having such a professional and well qualified team to assist in developing ideas for sustainable tourism in Braemar and John Morton was a significant player in all aspects of the Report, particularly in relation to skiing;

Yours sincerely,

Alister J Clunas
Property Manager

HEAD OFFICE
Wemyss House
28 Charlotte Square
Edinburgh EH24ET

The Trust is a charity (No sea 07410) and depends for its support on the subscriptions of its Members, donations and legacies.

MAINE WINTER SPORTS CENTER

Andy Shepard
Chief Executive Officer

September 18, 2002

To whom it may concern,

The Maine Winter Sports Center is a privately held economic development corporation that looks to re-establish skiing as a lifestyle in Maine, leverage that lifestyle to create new economic models for the rural, isolated communities of Maine as well as to create opportunities for the children of Maine.

We have had remarkable success in implementing our vision:
1. Over 3,000 kids on skis every day during the winter
2. Two world class cross country and biathlon venues
3. We were awarded the 2006 World Junior Biathlon Championships.
4. Over $12 million in grants.

Our success to date has attracted the attention of communities from around the world interested in duplicating our programs.

John Morton has been involved from the beginning of this program with the drafting of an initial feasibility study that led to our first grant, to the design of 13 community trail systems. He is also the designer of both trails systems at our world class venues that have hosted eight national and international Biathlon championships in our first three years and been described by both the AS and IBU officials during licensing as among the best in the world.

We are very proud of the quality of our skiing infrastructure and know that it has all been made possible because of the exceptional talents of John. I can highly recommend him for any outdoor recreational project for which he might be considered. I think it is important to add that I have found John, in my 12 years of association with him, to possess the highest personal standards of integrity, work ethic and commitment to his clients and can only imagine a positive experience in working with him.

I would look forward to any opportunity to speak in greater detail about specific opportunities at your convenience.

Sincerely,

Andy Shepard
President/CEO

Maine Winter Sports Center
124 W. Main Street, Yarmouth, Maine 04096
Website: www.mainewsc.org

Cumberland Town Lands and Conservation Commission

Town of Cumberland
290 Tuttle Road.
Cumberland, ME 04021
October 20, 2002
RE: John Morton

To Whom It May Concern:

I live in the coastal community of Cumberland, Maine. Several years ago I chaired a committee whose task it was to develop a recreation site plan for a 250-acre parcel of land that the Town had recently acquired. The Town was interested in developing the land to provide athletic fields for use by the Recreation Department as well as the local school district. At the same time, the Town wanted to preserve some valuable open space near the center of a desirable community that has been, and continues to be, under intense residential development pressure.

As a committee, our vision was to create a recreation complex that provided high quality athletic fields carefully placed in a pastoral landscape of fields and woods. Additionally, we wanted to create a multi-use trail system that would provide public access to all comers of the property while also serving as a competition site for cross-country running and Nordic skiing. As soon as we identified trails as a key feature of the site, we knew we wanted John Morton to be the resource to design those trails.
With his customary warmth, easy going manner, and professionalism, John worked seamlessly with a group that included civil engineers, landscape architects and the Town's public works director to design a trail system that would make optimal use of the available landscape. Today, this site is known as the Twin Brook Recreation Area. The centerpiece is a beautifully laid out 1 O-kilometer trail system that weaves through the fields and woods and crosses streams.

John's trails receive daily use by dog walkers, high school cross-country runners and recreational Nordic skiers. Twin Brook has been the site of countless running and skiing events. Next year the trail system will play host to the NCAA Division 3 Northeast Regional Cross-Country Championships and the year after the NCAA Division 3 National Cross-Country Championships.

The Town of Cumberland is justifiably proud of Twin Brook, which has become a model that other greater Portland communities are seeking to follow. The Town is also indebted to John Morton for bringing to life a trail system which receives a variety of uses from a broad cross section of the community. I would heartily recommend John as a resource with vision, a keen appreciation of the natural landscape, and the ability to get things done.

Sincerely,

John Eldredge
Chairman, Cumberland Town Lands and Conservation Commission