The Deerfield Ridge Trail, within the Green Mountain National Forest in the towns of Wilmington and Dover, has been subject to significant unauthorized excavation and sub-standard alterations.
According to the U.S. Forest Service, these trail modifications, near Haystack Mountain and Haystack Pond, represent a significant threat of damage to the surrounding public lands and resources by increasing erosion, compromising the health of existing wetlands, wildlife habitat and unique biological communities.
As a result, the Deerfield Ridge Trail has been closed to all motorized vehicles until further notice. Although the trail is still open to hikers, people using the trail should exercise caution and expect changed and degraded trail conditions.
Anyone with information concerning these illegal activities is asked to contact the U.S. Forest Service at 802-747-6797.