Bald Mountain Trails

Description

Bald Mountain: From the restored fire tower on the summit there is a 360-degree view that includes Lake Willoughby, Seymour Lake, Lake Memphremagog, parts of the Green Mountains, and all of the White Mountains. In addition to the fire tower, there is also a newly restored shelter at the summit. 

• Long Pond Trail: (2.0 miles, 1,450 feet of elevation gain) From the parking area, the trail follows blue blazes up a gated logging road and bears right at the junction where the trail climbs a moderate hill to an open logging area. After the clearing, the trail turns into the trees where it follows an old woods trail. The trail winds through open hardwoods, crossing streams, and climbing steadily into the sub-alpine spruce-fir forest. As the trail approaches the mountain top, it climbs several steep pitches and passes large rock outcroppings, then the trail emerges to the top of the mountain. NOTE: This trail can be wet in spots, plan appropriately.
• Mad Brook Trail: (2.3 miles, 1,415 feet of elevation gain) This trail approaches the summit from the north, starting from the terminus of Mad Brook Road in East Charleston. The trail follows a gravel drive for 0.5 miles, then travels straight across an open meadow. Please respect private landowners through this section. The trail then enters a mixed forest on an old road and climbs a gradual slope. The trail descends briefly after that to the base of Bald Mountain then climbs more steeply up to the summit of the mountain.
• Telegraph Trail: The Telegraph Trail is the oldest route to the summit of Bald Mountain and was used to access the forest fire lookout station on the summit (now defunct). Traces of the old telegraph line are still present in places. It has been heavily altered by logging and a lack of sustained maintenance. Nevertheless, the trail provides an alternative and somewhat adventurous approach to the summit. From the gate on Tower Lane, the trail crosses a stream and immediately turns left along an old logging road. After crossing a large stream (use caution in winter), the trail enters an old clearing and follows the overgrown, but well-built logging road south as it climbs gently to a second, more recent log landing. From here the trail is noticeably more narrow and overgrown. The trail leaves the far left (southeast) corner of the log landing along an old skid way that is wet in places. As it approaches a saddle with thick regeneration the trail bears right (south) and avoids a more recently used ATV trail to the left. Staying right, the trail departs the saddle on yet another skid way, crosses a small stream and soon takes a sharp left turn. Here, leaving the young forest and logging areas, the trail climbs steeply up the mountain, crossing into the Willoughby State Forest and eventually emerging on the mountain summit.

Other Information

Note: There is a third trail that accesses the summit of Bald Mountain called the Telegraph Trail; however, the trail is seldom used and not maintained. 

Trail Manager

For more information, visit the Northwoods Stewardship Center or the VT Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation online or contact: