Vermont Route 100 Reservoir Road Extension
Technical granite traverse between mountain reservoirs
This forgotten Forest Service road splits off the main Route 100 corridor near Weston, climbing through dense hardwood forest to link Somerset and Grout Pond reservoirs via a challenging 12-mile mountain traverse. Built for reservoir maintenance crews in the 1960s, the road navigates steep grades, exposed granite ledges, and creek crossings that turn into ice flows come November. The route passes abandoned CCC camps and offers glimpses of pristine beaver ponds tucked into mountain valleys.
Rated difficult for good reason—articulation is mandatory on the granite shelves, and low-range crawling through boulder fields will test your undercarriage. Stock vehicles need not apply; this is skid plate and recovery gear territory. Best tackled June through October when the seasonal gate is open. No permits required, but check with Manchester Ranger District for closure updates. The payoff is solitude in some of Vermont’s most remote terrain and excellent brook trout fishing at trail’s end.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Rock |
| Features | Camping, Remote, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 12 mi / 19.3 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 2800 ft |
| Best season | June-October |
| Minimum vehicle | Modified 4WD with skid plates |
| Nearest town | Weston, VT |
| Land manager | Green Mountain National Forest |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | fs.usda.gov |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Jeep Wrangler or 4Runner run this trail, or does it need mods?
A stock Wrangler will struggle — the granite rock sections demand real clearance and skid plate protection. Minimum expectation is a modified 4WD with a lift, skid plates, and all-terrain tires. A stock 4Runner is a no.
When does the trail open in spring and is it driveable in October?
Best window is June through October. Vermont's mud season runs well into May and can leave the granite sections slick and the crossings unpredictable. October is doable but early snowfall above 2,500 ft is a real possibility — check conditions before you go.
Do I need a permit to drive or camp on this trail?
No permit required for the trail itself — it's Green Mountain National Forest land. Dispersed camping is allowed under standard GMNF rules: 14-night stay limit, 200 feet from water and trails, pack out everything. No fee to enter.
What's the hardest section and what am I actually dealing with?
The granite traverse between the two reservoir elevations is where rigs get humbled — exposed bedrock slabs with limited traction lines and zero margin for a bad approach angle. At 1,600 ft of gain over 12 miles, the climbs are sustained, not just isolated obstacles. One bad line on wet granite can put you on your rocker panels.
There's zero cell service — how far is the nearest fuel and should I carry water or can I filter from the reservoirs?
Weston, VT is your last stop for fuel before the trailhead — fill up there, the 12-mile trail plus drive out adds up fast. Reservoir water is filterable in an emergency but treat it regardless; carry at least 3 liters per person since you won't have resupply options on trail.
Trail track
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