Haystack MT Overlook Trail

Green Mountain National Forest

Caring for the Land and Serving People

Length: 4.8 miles round trip	Feature: Mountain, Views
Max elevation change:  1020 feet	USGS maps: Mount Snow Quad
Amount of use: Moderate	Hiking level: Moderate
Average hike time: 3 – 4 hours round trip

Trail Description:

The trail, marked with blue blazes, follows an old gated road on a steady moderate incline to Binney Brook

ravine.  Turning southwest (left) at about 0.5 miles, the trail then begins to climb steeply to the west ridge of Haystack Mountain.  This section of trail is mainly a snowmobile trail, so look for and follow the orange snowmobile signs.  The trail makes a few turns leading through different forest types until reaching the summit trail junction.  Turn right and follow the blue blazes again, making a few more turns until the trail reaches the summit. From the partially wooded summit some views include Haystack Pond and Mt. Pisgah (Mt. Snow) to the north, Harriman Reservoir to the south, and large windmills to the southwest.  The summit, from different locations, also has many great views of bordering mountains. Please practice Leave No Trace ethics, such as carry out what you carry in.

Directions:

From the Route 100 (traffic light) in Wilmington, take Route 9 west for about 1.1 miles. Turn north

(right) onto Haystack Road;

From Route 7 in Bennington, take Rte 9 east for about 20.8 miles (5.8 miles pass the junction of Route 8)

and turn north (left) onto Haystack Road;

– Follow Haystack Road into Chimney Hills Development.  Take the second left onto Chimney Hill Rd. at a staggered four-way junction.  At the next junction, turn right onto Binney Brook Rd. and begin a steep and winding climb past several intersecting roads of the Chimney Hills development.  At the stop sign at the end of Binney Brook Road, turn right on to Upper Dam Road, then bear left at the next intersection. The trailhead, which is marked with a USFS sign, will be on the right.  There is no dedicated parking lot for this trailhead; limited roadside parking is available in the vicinity.

Area Services:

Food and Services: Wilmington or Mount Snow Area

For all Emergencies: 911

911 Information: The trailhead is in the Town of Wilmington, off Binney Brook Road.

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Forest Service

Green Mountain & Finger Lakes National Forests

231 North Main Street, Rutland, VT 05701

(802) 747-6700 Phone                                           (802) 747-6766 FAX Website:  www.fs.usda.gov/greenmountain

The USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Recreational Opportunity Guide                                                Haystack Mountain Trail

For More Information:

Contour Interval SO Feet

Manchester Ranger District: 2538 Depot St. (Rte 11/30), Manchester Center, VT  05255, (802) 362-2307

This Recreation Guide is Available  in Large Print at Forest Service Information Centers