Somerset Reservoir Access Road

Somerset Reservoir Access Road climbs relentlessly from Route 9 through some of Vermont’s most technical terrain to reach the state’s highest major body of water at 2100 feet. The final three miles demand serious attention as the rough forest service road navigates granite ledges, loose boulder fields, and steep grades that separate casual drivers from committed four-wheelers. Active logging operations mean sharing the narrow track with massive timber trucks that own the right of way.

Difficult rating earned through rocky technical sections requiring good ground clearance and skid plates. Modified 4WDs with armor handle it confidently; stock rigs proceed with caution and spotters. Best accessed June through September when frost heaves settle and before winter closure. No permits, but respect active logging schedules. The reward justifies the beating: pristine high-altitude fishing, backcountry camping, and views across the Deerfield River watershed that few Vermont residents ever witness.