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Silver Lake Area Trails
The Silver Lake Area Trails are in the southern portion of the Moosaloomoo Recreation Area. These trials offer a diverse selction of lowlad valleys and creeks, and upland hills. Multiple Trails are available in this area with an average hike time: ¾ - 5 hours one way with lengths of 0.6 - 8.8 miles one way.
Camping is available at the Silver Lake Area Campground.
At a Glance
| Usage: | Heavy |
|---|---|
| Restrictions: | Use restrictions: Leicester Hollow and Chandler Ridge: managed for pedestrian and mountain bike access. Goshen: managed for pedestrian access. All trails are closed to motorized vehicle access. |
| Closest Towns: | Food and Services: Brandon restaurants and fuel stations. For all Emergencies: 911; 911 Information: The Minnie Baker trailhead is in the Town of Leicester off Route 53. The Goshen trailhead is in the Town of Goshen off Forest Road 27. |
| Operated By: | Forest Service |
| Information Center: | Green Mountain National Forest - Manchester Ranger District |
General Information
Directions:Leicester Hollow & Chandler Ridge Trail Parking: The Leicester Hollow Parking Area is currently closed due to a condemned bridge. Please use the Minnie Baker Trail to reach the Leicester Hollow Trail.
Minnie Baker Parking:
From Brandon, follow Route 73 east for 3.3 miles and turn left onto Route 53. Park on the right at 1.6 miles.
From Rochester, follow Route 100 south to the junction of Route 73. Take Rt. 73 west for 14.4 miles to Route 53. Park on the right at 1.6 miles.
The Minnie Baker Trail Intersects the Leicester Hollow Trail at 1.2 miles.
Goshen Trail Parking:
From Middlebury, travel south on Route 7 to the Junction of Route 125. Travel east on Route 125 for 6.8 miles, and turn right onto Forest Road 32. Follow FR 32 for 6.8 miles, and turn right onto Silver Lake Road (Forest Road 27).
From Rochester, travel south on Route 100 to the junction of Route 73. Travel west on Route 73 for 10.3 miles. Turn right on Hathaway Road, and follow it for 1.3 miles. Turn right onto Flora White Road, and follow it for 1.4 miles to a stop sign. Go straight through onto Silver Lake Road (Forest Road 27).
Follow Silver Lake Road for 2.2 miles to the parking lot at the end.
General Notes:
Highlighted Trail Information
Leicester Hollow – Chandler Ridge Loop
The Leicester Hollow Trail follows Leicester Hollow Brook and crosses it many times as it ascends easily to Silver Lake. There are many trail intersections and campsite spurs as the trail passes through the Silver Lake Recreation Area - be sure to remain on the main trail. The trail ends at the Silver Lake Trail near the dam at 4.8 miles.
Elevation change on the Leicester Hollow Trail is 470 feet.
For good views, return via the Chandler Ridge Trail, which follows a ridge with gentle grades and has views to the east and west. It meets the Leicester Hollow Trail again 0.3 miles before the parking lot, which is at 8.8 miles.
Elevation change over Chandler Ridge is 720 feet. Average hiking time for the loop is 4-5 hours.
Goshen Trail
The Goshen Trail begins at the south end of the parking lot. The trail crests a low ridge and passes under a power line. Continuing through the woods, the trail passes a trail junction, and connects with the Leicester Hollow Trail just south of Silver Lake Campground at 0.6 mile.
Average hiking time is ¾ - 1 hour. Maximum elevation change is 270 feet.
Additional Resources
Silver Lake Area Brochure and Map
Activities
Mountain Biking
The following trails in the area are open to mountain bikes:
Candler Ridge (Leicester): The trail follows a ridge with gentle grades and has views to the east and west and meets the Leicester
Hollow Trail at 4.8 miles. Elevation change over Chandler Ridge is 720 feet. Average hiking time for the Leicester Hollow/ Chandler Ridge loop is 5 hours.
Leicester Hollow (Leicester): The trail follows Leicester Hollow Brook and crosses it many times as it ascends easily to Silver Lake. The trail ends at the Silver Lake Trail, near the dam, at 4.8 miles. The maximum elevation change is 250 feet and average ride time is 2 – 2 ½ hours.
Minnie Baker (Leicester): The trail climbs steeply in several pitches from route 53 and then descends to the Leicester Hollow Trail on a long downgrade with a hairpin turn. The length is 1.2 miles and maximum elevation change is 800 feet. Average ride time is ¾ – 1 hour.
Silver Lake (Salisbury): The trail follows an old carriage road from the Falls of Lana parking area past the Falls of Lana and Silver Lake to the Goshen parking area. The trail goes uphill all the way and is fairly steep from Route 53 to Silver Lake. The maximum elevation change is 850 feet and average ride time is 1 – 1 ½ hours.
Day Hiking
Multiple Trails - Average hike time: ¾ - 5 hours one way; see descriptions Length: 0.6 - 8.8 miles one way; see descriptions
| Elevation desc | Max. Elevation Change: 270 - 720 feet; see descriptions |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy to Intermediate |
|---|
Horse Riding
Horseback riding permitted on the following trails:
Silver Lake Trail
The trail follows an old carriage road from Silver Lake parking on Rt. 53, past the Falls of Lana and Silver Lake to the junction with Leicester Hollow Trail at 1.6 miles. The trail goes uphill all the way and is fairly steep from Route 53 to Silver Lake. The maximum elevation change is 850 feet.
Minnie Baker Trail
The trail climbs steeply in several pitches from route 53 and then descends to the Leicester Hollow Trail on a long downgrade with a hairpin turn at 1.2 miles and the maximum elevation change is 800 feet.
XC Skiing/Snowshoeing
The following trails are open to Snowshowing and Cross Country Skiing:
Silver Lake Trail: The trail follows an old carriage road from Silver Lake parking on Rt. 53, past the Falls of Lana and Silver Lake to the junction with Leicester Hollow Trail at 1.6 miles. The trail goes uphill all the way and is fairly steep from Route 53 to Silver Lake. The maximum elevation change is 850 feet.
Leicester Hollow: The trail follows Leicester Hollow Brook as it gradually ascends to Silver Lake. The trail ends at the Silver Lake Trail, near a dam, at 5.6 miles. For good views, return via the Chandler Ridge Trail, which begins off the Silver Lake Loop Trail on the west side of Silver Lake.
Minnie Baker Trail: The trail climbs steeply in several pitches from route 53 and then descends to the Leicester Hollow Trail on a long downgrade with a hairpin turn at 1.2 miles and the maximum elevation change is 800 feet.
Snowmobiling
Snowmobiling is allowed on the following trails:
Silver Lake Trail: The trail follows an old carriage road from Silver Lake parking on Rt. 53, past the Falls of Lana and Silver Lake to the junction with Leicester Hollow Trail at 1.6 miles. The trail goes uphill all the way and is fairly steep from Route 53 to Silver Lake. The maximum elevation change is 850 feet.
Goshen Trail: The trail begins at the Goshen parking lot on Forest Road 27 at a gated road. The trail crests a low ridge and passes under a power line. Continuing through the woods, the trail turns right at a junction with the Ridge Trail, and connects with the Leicester Hollow Trail just south of Silver Lake Campground at 0.6 mile. Maximum elevation change is 270 feet.
Minnie Baker Trail: The trail climbs steeply in several pitches from route 53 and then descends to the Leicester Hollow Trail on a long downgrade with a hairpin turn at 1.2 miles and the maximum elevation change is 800 feet.
Alerts & Warnings
Trail Partners on the Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests
Location
