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18. EASTERN VERMONT
MODERATE / 23.7-mile traverse
On this hike, you will be traversing an intermountain range section as the A.T. makes its way from the White Mountains of New Hampshire to the Green Mountains of Vermont. The elevations along this hike are not that extreme, between 1,500 and 2,500 feet above sea level, but there are plenty of ups and downs along the way.
You will enjoy fine views at Lakota Lake Lookout, pass the beautiful Kent Pond, and cross a portion of Gifford Woods State Park. The state park is along a major migratory bird flyway, and bird watchers flock to the park in the spring and fall to see the varied birds that use it as a rest area during their migration. The park also boasts a virgin grove of forest made up largely of sugar maples.
There is an optional side trip near the end of this hike. The Deer Leap Trail climbs to the top of Deer Leap Cliffs and affords outstanding views of Sherburne Pass and its surrounding peaks.
THE HIKE
From the trailhead on VT 12, follow the A.T. south. At mile 1.2, enjoy good views from an open ridgetop (Mount Ascutney is to the south). At mile 2.2 and mile 3.0, cross old roadbeds. At mile 3.8, reach the 0.2-mile side trail to Wintturi Shelter. Water is available from a small spring near the shelter.
The Trail then ascends more steeply as you continue to climb over and down Sawyer Hill. At mile 5.1, the A.T. turns right onto King Cabin Road. In another 0.2 mile, the Trail turns off the road—watch for the turn.
At mile 6.2, reach the junction with the Lookout Spur Trail. This side trail ascends 0.1 mile to the Lookout, a private cabin that has an observation deck available to hikers. It overlooks one of the best views on the hike. Continue following the A.T. for 1.7 miles to reach the Lakota Lake Lookout. There are good views of the lake as well as the surrounding countryside, while the White Mountains appear in the distance.
For the next several miles, you will be following a ridge with occasional knobs to climb. Cross Locust Creek and Chateauguay Road at mile 9.0, and pass a small pond at mile 11.0. The end of the ridge is descended by way of switchbacks.
Cross Mink Brook, then Stony Brook, and reach Stony Brook Road at mile 12.9 and begin climbing steadily. At 13.7 miles, reach the short side trail to Stony Brook Shelter. Reach the top of a ridge and cross a shoulder of Quimby Mountain on the way to the highest point of the hike, an unnamed mountain (elevation 2,640') at mile 15.6. Descend steeply on switchbacks to a ridge and cross under power lines, where there are good views from the power line right-of-way. Climb to another unnamed point and descend gradually and hike to a viewpoint from an old logging road at mile 17.2.
At mile 18.0, cross gravel River Road and reach the boardwalk over the headwaters of the Ottauquechee River, with views east and west. In 0.2 mile, a spur trail leads 200 feet to Thundering Falls. Cross Thundering Brook Road at 18.5 miles. The A.T. climbs gradually over a hill and rejoins the road again in 1.2 miles. The Mountain Meadows Lodge is to your left just after you pass the dam for Kent Pond. As you follow the shoreline, you will pass a swimming area and cross Kent Brook.
At mile 20.4, the A.T. joins VT 100 for a short distance before turning off the highway into Gifford Woods State Park. Shelters and tent sites are available for rent. The A.T. winds its way through the park, passing the caretaker’s house, showers, camping area, and more. Beyond the park, the A.T. ascends, sometimes steeply, and reaches the junction with the Sherburne Pass Trail at mile 21.8, a former route of the A.T., which descends 0.5 mile to US 4 in Sherburne Pass.
Continue on the A.T. to the western intersection with the Deer Leap Trail. This pathway climbs sharply 0.6 mile to the top of Deer Leap Cliffs for an outstanding view of Sherburne Pass and surrounding peaks before continuing for another 1.3 miles to rejoin the A.T. farther south. If you decide to take this side route, you will only add about 1.9 miles to the hike as the Deer Leap Trail comes to its eastern junction with the A.T. at mile 22.6. From that intersection, it is only 0.1 mile to Maine Junction at Willard Gap. Here, the A.T. and the Long Trail (L.T.) go south and share the same pathway to the Vermont–Massachusetts state line; the L.T. also heads north to the Canadian border. Continue following the A.T. and descend to US 4 at mile 23.7.
TRAILHEAD DIRECTIONS
Western trailhead: From I-89, take Exit 1 (US 4/Woodstock Road). Turn left onto US 4 West, and drive about 10.3 miles to Woodstock. Bear left to stay on US 4 West, and drive 22.6 miles to the signed trailhead parking area, on your left.
Eastern trailhead: Backtrack east on US 4 for 20.1 miles, and then turn left onto Prosper Road. In 2.3 miles, turn left onto VT 12/Barnard Road; then, in 0.6 mile, look carefully for the trailhead parking on your left—the entrance is at an opening in the guardrail, and a trailhead kiosk is located at the gravel parking area. Note: If you reach On the Edge Farmstand on your left, you’ve gone 0.2 mile too far.
GPS TRAILHEAD COORDINATES
N43° 40.015' W72° 51.024' (western trailhead)
N43° 39.300' W72° 33.968' (eastern trailhead)
