| The
western terminus of the CRT, Flagpole Hill, is so named because
of the wooden flag that waves over the grassy summit. Rumor
has it the flag was originally made of string that sung in
the wind. Flagpole is an easy traverse, with a mix of logging
roads and new trail. Stone walls are visible in hardwood forests,
and the view from the summit is spectacular on a clear day.
Across the Connecticut River, you can easily identify Mt.
Cube, the eastern terminus of the trail. This short climb
ia a great outing for everyone. |
|
|
To
reach the Flagpole Hill parking area from the Orford Bridge,
drive south on Route 5 to Ely and turn right onto 244. Drive
around Lake Fairlee to Post Mills and turn right onto Route113
at the T intersection. Follow Route 113 past the Westshire
Elementary School and continue another 5 miles to the village
of Vershire. As you leave the village, turn left onto Moody
Hill Road. After the town garage, turn left at the T intersection
onto Brown Road. Just after the Mountain School driveway
(on left) turn left onto Taylor Valley Road. The road becomes
impassible at the junction of Chelsea Road at the base of
Flagpole Hill. Park at the trailhead.
To
reach the summit of Flagpole Hill, follow the blue blazes
to the North for 0.1 miles and then bear right onto a logging
road. After 0.4 miles, the trail turns off the road to the
right. The trail follows a stone wall to the North for 0.5
miles to a junction with an unmarked trail to the right
(that leads 0.6 miles to driveable Reed Road). Turn left
at this junction and follow blue blazes 0.2 miles to the
summit, and the western end of the Cross - Rivendell Trail.
The trail returns 2.4 miles to Chelsea Road.
|
Back
