Kelly Stand Road

[loafer89]

Anyone been to Kelly Stand Road lately, is it worth the trip? I'll be up to Mount Snow on Sunday.

[Fallleafechidna]

IMO it's always worth the trip since it's so cool just in itself, especially the part along the river through the mature timber (something sadly becoming rather rare in VT these days). No idea what the color is like this year at this time though. But it's just so cool, I'd say always worth it.

Watch out for the nasty bunch there though. Twice someone totally swore us out. The first time they drove by and the things they yelled at my mom were beyond unprintable and they tore into me and our NJ plates pretty badly too, to the point we almost felt out and out unsafe that time. Some real creeps unfortunately live on that road somewhere I think and they really try to rattle and scare away tourists. That one time I think they really crossed the line.

[ctyanky]

Geez, sorry you had such a strange experience on Kelly Stand. I've been several times and had such a nice time, but I do agree, it is a very cool drive and worth taking the time to explore. Stop at Grout Pond access and enjoy this beautiful area for a picnic lunch. It was closed for such a long time after Hurricane Irene. You can access Somerset Reservoir as well on one of the dirt roads from Kelly Stand. When there is a lot of rain, Roaring Branch is quite beautiful. Sad that a bunch of rude folks ruined it for you. Very strange indeed!

**If You Go: From Route 7A, take East Arlington Road to Old Mill Road to Kansas Road. Turn right onto Kelley Stand Road. To access the road from the east, take Route 100 to West Wardsboro and head west on Stratton-Arlington Road, which eventually becomes Kelley Stand Road. Kelley Stand Road is closed in winter.

[deaner1971]

I too am sorry that you had that experience.

One thing to keep in mind is that people tend to react to the next person based on their interaction with the last person. While I am sure you are respectful and careful but, if even 1% of the thousands and thousands of visitors to Vermont are not, the locals have probably had enough bad interactions to be at a low burn.

That gives no one the right to be rude and, while Vermont is heaven, it has its share of devils so, maybe they were just jackasses.

I will be hitting Kelly Stand Road on Monday or Tuesday so, hoping for positive people.

[ctyanky]

Dean: that was a great response! I am coming up to VT each weekend now until the end of October. Let me know how Kelly Stand as I'll try to get there next Saturday!

Can you check my post on the gap rides and let me know if it was indeed you who hiked Mr. Horrid on the Brandon Gap Road?