Hazens Notch Spring

## Overview Hazens Notch Spring is a public drinking spring located in the remote northern reaches of Vermont, nestled in the scenic landscape near Hazens Notch — a narrow mountain pass in the Green Mountains between the towns of Montgomery and Lowell. The spring sits at an elevation consistent with the rugged terrain of this area, at approximate GPS coordinates 44.846°N, 72.544°W. Hazens Notch itself carries significant historical weight. The pass is named after General Moses Hazen, a Revolutionary War officer who oversaw the construction of a military road — known as the Bayley-Hazen Military Road — through this wilderness in the late 1770s. The road was intended to serve as an invasion route into British-held Canada, though it was never completed for that purpose. The surrounding area, including the Hazens Notch State Natural Area, preserves some of the most pristine and ecologically diverse forest in northern Vermont. The spring has historically served as a roadside water source for travelers and locals passing through this remote corridor. Visitors have reported the water to be cold and refreshing, consistent with the character of mountain springs fed by the fractured bedrock and glacial till common throughout the Green Mountains. ## Directions 1. From the town of Montgomery Center, Vermont, head east on Route 58 (Hazens Notch Road) toward Lowell. 2. Follow Route 58 as it climbs into the narrow pass of Hazens Notch. Note that a portion of Route 58 through the notch is unpaved and is closed to vehicle traffic during winter months (typically November through May). 3. Watch for the spring along the roadside in the vicinity of the notch. The GPS coordinates (44.8460°N, 72.5442°W) can be used with a navigation app to pinpoint the exact location. 4. Parking is limited to roadside pull-offs, so use caution when stopping. ## What to Expect Hazens Notch Spring is a roadside spring in a strikingly beautiful and remote mountain setting. The surrounding landscape is characterized by dense northern hardwood and boreal forest, with steep slopes rising on either side of the narrow pass. The area is popular with hikers, cross-country skiers, and naturalists — the nearby Hazens Notch Association maintains a network of trails through the surrounding woods. The spring is accessible during the warmer months when Route 58 through the notch is open to traffic (generally late spring through fall). During winter, the road is gated and closed, making vehicle access impossible, though adventurous visitors on snowshoes or skis could potentially reach the area. Because this is a remote, unmonitored natural spring, no official water quality testing data is publicly available. The water has historically been used as a drinking water source by passersby, but visitors should be aware that natural springs can be affected by seasonal changes, weather events, and surface runoff. Cell phone service in the notch can be unreliable, so plan accordingly and let someone know your travel plans if venturing into this area.