Vermont class 4 roads

[AK66]

We are going to Vermont next week for a few days and I want to explore some of their unique class 4 roads.
Does anyone here have a personal experience traveling those roads? I tried to search this forum and it shows "no results".

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[Aonar]

No experience but did a google search and quit a few vids/links came up. maybe something there.

 

[AK66]

No experience but did a google search and quit a few vids/links came up. maybe something there.

Thanks! Yeah, I looked at Goodle and also there are quite a few trail with descriptions in my onX app. I was just wondering if anyone here can share a personal experience. According to onX descriptions there could be some really challenging trails.

 

[Atomic-Mouse]

I don’t know what you have found for info online but this is the same site I use for NH trails

https://www.arcgis.com/apps/mapviewer/index.html?webmap=2865bd7d3985475db5304841cfc98b18

 

[AK66]

I don’t know what you have found for info online but this is the same site I use for NH trails

https://www.arcgis.com/apps/mapviewer/index.html?webmap=2865bd7d3985475db5304841cfc98b18

That's interesting. Thank you! What do the trail colors mean?

 

[Flip]

They look challenging. Gear up, be safe, be smart, and have fun.

 

[Atomic-Mouse]

not sure why I can see the legend on my iPad but not on my iPhone but here’s what the colors mean.

 

[Atomic-Mouse]

It’s hunting season, you might want to have a blaze orange vest or hat if you plan on doing any hiking on foot.

 

[AK66]

not sure why I can see the legend on my iPad but not on my iPhone but here’s what the colors mean.

It’s hunting season, you might want to have a blaze orange vest or hat if you plan on doing any hiking on foot.

Oh... thanks for the tip. Will definitely wear something visible. Not looking forward getting shot at all
And thanks for the legend. I couldn't see it on my Android either.

 

[AK66]

They look challenging. Gear up, be safe, be smart, and have fun.

Thanks! Will do. I usually trust my gut feelings and if I feel uncomfortable at some point, I have no problem turning around.

 

[Tr4ckD4ys]

Just got back from Vermont this weekend. Did exactly the same thing, mostly Class 4 roads. Especially that “moderate” rated 80 mile trail that’s mapped out on OnX.

first of all, was a blast. But, I did pee my pants almost a couple times. I do not agree at all with some of the trail reports on OnX. My main take away was:
- You need ground clearance or a lift. Plain simple. I scraped a few times and I have a 2.5” MC Rocklander lift.
- Offroad tires are a must, maybe even some RTs or MTs. It’s been dry and warm for days yet there were several deep rutted muddy spots.
- It’s not very busy. You will mostly be alone.
- The specific “Explore Vermont Wells River trail” is supposedly possible to be done in 3-4 hrs the whole thing. It took us 2.5hrs to manage barely one third of the whole trail.

other than that, VT is my new favorite spot within NY proximity! I take the ferry from Port Jeff to Bridgeport and it’s a quick 3-hour-and-change drive from there.

EDIT: in addition I would say once you embark on the less well mapped out ones I recommend not going alone. Also, if it rains, it will get quite a bit more difficult. I mean we had mud ruds without having had rain in days. I can only imagine what this will look like after rainfall.

 

[AK66]

Just got back from Vermont this weekend. Did exactly the same thing, mostly Class 4 roads. Especially that “moderate” rated 80 mile trail that’s mapped out on OnX.

first of all, was a blast. But, I did pee my pants almost a couple times. I do not agree at all with some of the trail reports on OnX. My main take away was:
- You need ground clearance or a lift. Plain simple. I scraped a few times and I have a 2.5” MC Rocklander lift.
- Offroad tires are a must, maybe even some RTs or MTs. It’s been dry and warm for days yet there were several deep rutted muddy spots.
- It’s not very busy. You will mostly be alone.
- The specific “Explore Vermont Wells River trail” is supposedly possible to be done in 3-4 hrs the whole thing. It took us 2.5hrs to manage barely one third of the whole trail.

other than that, VT is my new favorite spot within NY proximity! I take the ferry from Port Jeff to Bridgeport and it’s a quick 3-hour-and-change drive from there.

EDIT: in addition I would say once you embark on the less well mapped out ones I recommend not going alone. Also, if it rains, it will get quite a bit more difficult. I mean we had mud ruds without having had rain in days. I can only imagine what this will look like after rainfall.

Thanks a lot! That's exactly what I was looking for. Yes, I was wondering about that moderate Explore Vermont trail, but now I'm afraid to bite more than I could chew. I have a 2 door manual rubicon on 35" AT3s but no lift. Badland 12000 winch. I'll be alone with my wife on the pass seat. Maybe I will try the green easy ones first to see where I am. Thanks again for the heads up

 

[Tr4ckD4ys]

Thanks a lot! That's exactly what I was looking for. Yes, I was wondering about that moderate Explore Vermont trail, but now I'm afraid to bite more than I could chew. I have a 2 door manual rubicon on 35" AT3s but no lift. Badland 12000 winch. I'll be alone with my wife on the pass seat. Maybe I will try the green easy ones first to see where I am. Thanks again for the heads up

You and I have the same vehicle so you will be fine. The rubicon sits higher than the standard wranglers (ie “lifted”) from factory. However, that doesn’t mean there won’t be moments when you didn’t wish it would be higher - even though at the end of the day you’ll make through the obstacles.

also, you can clearly tell on this trail when you’re entering a Class 4 road from a gravel road. So you will always have the option to skip certain ones if you’re not comfortable. That said, the area where this trail is has lots and lots and lots of gravel and class 4 roads that the guy did not map out, so it’s really a good place to explore.

My only concern would be rain. I’m not an experienced off-roader by any measure, but, I cannot imagine taking that trail when it rained.

 

[AK66]

You and I have the same vehicle so you will be fine. The rubicon sits higher than the standard wranglers (ie “lifted”) from factory. However, that doesn’t mean there won’t be moments when you didn’t wish it would be higher - even though at the end of the day you’ll make through the obstacles.

also, you can clearly tell on this trail when you’re entering a Class 4 road from a gravel road. So you will always have the option to skip certain ones if you’re not comfortable. That said, the area where this trail is has lots and lots and lots of gravel and class 4 roads that the guy did not map out, so it’s really a good place to explore.

My only concern would be rain. I’m not an experienced off-roader by any measure, but, I cannot imagine taking that trail when it rained.

Thank you!

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