This ride’s general location is Pittsfield. Scenery includes woods and streams. Michigan Road is a Forest Service road that weaves in and out of the Green Mountain National Forest that parallels the West Branch of Michigan Brook. This out-and-back climbs gradually on a two-lane dirt road. The farther you go, the more narrow the road becomes, until eventually you are on a single-lane, four-wheel-drive road. Since the road does not go anywhere, there is little to no traffic with which to contend. This ride has no technical terrain. Best of all, when you reach the end of the road, it is downhill all the way back. For a shorter ride, park 2.5 miles up Michigan Road at a small parking area. This cuts five miles off the entire ride.

 

 

Trailhead: Village Green in Pittsfield.

From Rochester, head west toward VT-100 S (S Main Street).  Follow Route 100 S for roughly 10 miles (you’ll have to make a couple of turns to stay on 100 S). After you drive into town, the Village Green will be on your left.

Latitude/Longitude: 43.771721,-72.812836

Directions: From the village green, ride north on VT 100. Immediately turn left at the Pittsfield General Store onto FR 35, aka Upper Michigan Road. Climb gradually, passing homes on both sides of the road. At 2.5 miles is a parking area on the left. (This is a good place to park for a shorter, 10-mile ride.)

Cross Hayes Brook (signed) and climb a short, steep pitch. Cross two more brooks. Immediately after the second, at 5 miles, fork left, staying on the better traveled FR 97. At 7.5 miles you will come to an open area. At the far end is a gate with VAST signs and a sign that indicates this trail is closed to bikers. Although you may be tempted to take this trail because it connects to Lower Michigan Road, you will be trespassing on private property owned by Stanley Tools. Please turn around at this point, and retrace your steps to the start, for a total of 15 fairly easy miles.

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