Haystack Mountain

OVERVIEW: The outstanding 360-degree view is well worth the climb.

TOTAL MILEAGE: 3 miles, round trip

ELEVATION GAIN: 1,000 feet

TERRAIN: Some old road; mostly mountain trail. One brook crossing that may require stone-hopping

LOCATION: From the intersection of VT Route 30 and VT Route 133 in Pawlet village go north on Route 30 for 1.8 miles. Turn right onto Waite Hill Road for 1.2 miles Look for Tunket Road (may be gated) on the left and a sign "The Nature Conservancy's North Pawlet Hills Natural Area". Park along Waite Hill Road. Start your hike through the gateway up Tunket Road.

ROUTE DESCRIPTION: Continue up Tunket Road. One hundred yards beyond a two-story house on theright, turn into a lane on the left with a signs "Walking Trail Starts Here" and "Colby M. Chester Memorial Trail". The trail, with occasional green and yellow Nature Conservancy trail markers, descends gently, crosses a brook in a gully, and then climbs steadily toward the saddle between Haystack and Middle Mountains. Two hundred yards before reaching the saddle, the trail bears left, leaving the main drainage, and climbs steeply to the summit of Haystack Mountain.

POINTS OF INTEREST: The treeless summit provides an excellent view in all directions including the nearby Mettawee valley and the distant Coolidge Range.

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