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Map &
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GPS: 43.0612 -72.9679
The official northern end of this section is at the parking lot just east of the point where the Arlington-West Wardsboro Rd (AKA Kelly Stand Road) crosses the East Branch of the Deerfield River.
To reach Kelly Stand Road from the east, follow VT 100 8.5 mi. south from VT 30 in East Jamica or 13.6 mi. north from VT 9 in Wilmington. At the intersection go west towards Stratton (the town, not the ski area). The parking lot is 6.8 miles along this road.
From the west take Exit 3 off the limited access US 7. Go west on VT 313 for 0.1 miles to the first right which is South Road. Continue on South Road 0.6 miles to its end at Kansas Road. Go right and follow this 0.7 miles to a fork just after a bridge. The right fork is Kelly Stand Road. From this point it is 10.8 miles to the parking lot. There is a parking lot for the Stratton Pond Trail a mile before this lot just after the intersection with USFS 71. Do not let this confuse you.
The road is not maintained in the winter from Arlington to Stratton. Much of the road to the east to West Wardsboro is paved but west to Arlington it is a narrow, gravel, and sometimes impassable road in wet weather. However I have had no problems driving that section of road during the summer.
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The southbound AT/LT (to Section 8) goes west along the road, crossing the East Branch of the Deerfield River and then in 200 feet goes south into the woods. The northbound AT (to Stratton Mountain and Section 7) leaves from the northeast corner of the parking lot. 9/13/17
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15-20
Very crowded lot in summer
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David Cullen
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See Mile 0.0 for directions to the parking lot at the AT/LT crossing of Arlington-West Wardsboro Road (AKA Kelly Stand Road). USFS 71 intersects this road 1 mile west of the parking lot. This intersection is about 100 feet west of the parking lot for the Stratton Pond Trail. Go south on USFS 71 for 0.7 miles to the trail crossing which can be hard to spot. Roadside parking on this gravel road is limited but possible. We were able to get far enough off the road to park there for 3 days with no problem. There is a clearing a few hundred feet south which could also be used. There is parking for 10-12 cars at the Stratton Pond Parking area 0.7 miles away.
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The northbound AT/LT goes east from the crossing descending towards Black Brook. The southbound trail goes west ascending towards a ridge and eventually Story Spring Shelter.5/15/20
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See directions
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David Cullen
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Road is very good and appears to be well maintained. There are a few areas not far from trail where parking is possible. If leaving for a period of time I would use Stratton Pond Trailhead .7 miles away at junction with Kelly Stand Road. Kelly Stand is open as of 8/26/17 and is well groomed. Saw a few sedans navigating at a good rate of speed.11/16/20
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See comments.
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Rbrahmase @ hotmail.com
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The West Ridge Trail must be accessed from the Bald Mountain Trail. To reach the east trailhead continue 1.0 mile east from the parking lot near the AT/LT crossing of VT 9. Turn north onto Harbour Road. Continue 0.8 miles to the trailhead just north of a large water storage tank. Limited parking near the trail sign marking the trailhead at the left of the driveway the parking shares. Do not block any access roads/driveways and park in the grass on the left. GPf trailhead: N42.9060 W73.1226
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From the trailhead, the Bald Mt. Trail goes west and ascends 2 miles to the southern terminus of the West Ridge Trail. At the summit of Bald Mountain, go right/North 7.8 miles until the junction of the AT/LT at Goddard Shelter. Because of its length, this route is more of an alternate than an access.
As the trailhead here and the AT/LT on VT 9 are close, a popular backpack loop trip is to take the AT/LT one direction and return on the West Ridge/Bald Mt. Trails. Best map is GMC's Long Trail map. Google 'green mountain national forest west ridge loop'. 05/17/19 Updated 11/16/20
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6
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silcassano @ gmail.com
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The west trailhead for the Bald Mt. Trail (which leads to the West Ridge Trail and a popular White Rocks hike) can be reached by following US 7, 1.0 miles north from the intersection with VT 9 in Bennington. Go right (east) on Kocher Drive. Continue straight past a traffic light about 1.0 miles to a power line crossing on North Branch Street. Trail head parking lot and kiosk added in 2017. Search 'Bald Mountain Trail Bennington'. GPS of trailhead: N42.8898 W73.1806
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From the Branch St. trailhead, follow the Bald Mt. Trail east 4.0 miles to the junction with the West Ridge Trail near the summit of Bald Mt. Go north on the West Ridge Trail 7.8 miles to the AT near Goddard Shelter. Given its length, this route is more of an alternate than an access.11/16/20
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10-12
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silcassano @ gmail.com
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GPS: 42.885194, -73.115611
VT 9 is a major highway crossing the Green Mountains. The AT crossing is 5.1 miles east of Bennington, 2.8 miles west of Woodford, and 4.8 miles west of Woodford State Park. The parking lot is in the north side of the road.
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There is an large paved parking lot on the north (compass east) side of the highway just west (compass north) of the trail crossing. The parking lot is indicated by the marker on the attached map. To reach the AT/LT from the parking lot follow a wide path east from the northeast corner of the lot. This passes a bulletin board, a very fancy composting privy and then meets the AT/LT in a couple of hundred feet. The northbound trail (to Section 8) goes left, crosses City Stream on the McArthur Footbridge, then turns left and parallels the stream for a short distance before bearing right and starting to ascend. The soutbound AT/LT goes right from the parking lot spur, and almost immediately reaches VT 9. Turn right on the shoulder. There is a trail sign on the south side of the road indicating where the trail continues into Section 9. Alternatively the southbound trail could be accessed from the parking lot by turning left on the highway from the entrance to the lot.Steep climbs in both directions. 11/16/20
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Ample Parking
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David Cullen
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