Autumn at the Somerset Reservoir
Somerset Reservoir is a large lake in southern Vermont that is nestled deep within the Green Mountain National Forest accessed by a 10-mile long dirt road. Located at the headwaters of the Deerfield River in Stratton and Somerset, Vermont. The lake is a dammed section of the Deerfield River, and is roughly 6.5 miles long and covers 1,568 acres. The shoreline is totally undeveloped, but there is a small boat launch, some picnic tables, and a porta-potty for those who come to recreate. The lake sits at 2,000 feet above sea level, so it’s a great place to cool off in the summer. The winter snows don’t melt here until May. Winds can be fierce here, and it’s an excellent spot to bring a small sailboat, fishing boats, canoes, or kayaks. Summer weekends can be busy, but because the lake is so big, you will always find solitude on the water or hiking trails. There is an extensive trail network in Green Mountain National Forest, and the East Branch Trail runs along the east side of Somerset Reservoir, all the way to Grout Pond, which is just north of Somerset. Mountain bikers use the trail, and it is part of the Catamount cross-country ski trail that runs the length of Vermont.—outdoorproject.com
