Lye Brook Wilderness, VT: Stratton Mountain via Bourn Pond
Climb to an expansive view of green rollers that inspired two long trails on this 22-mile loop in the Lye Brook Wilderness.
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Enjoy autumn’s reds, oranges, and golds amid two deep-forest ponds on this two-night, 22-mile loop in southern Vermont. From the gate on Old Rootville Road, climb 1,000 feet in 1.5 miles up the dirt road toward Prospect Rock and take the 150-foot spur for a western view of 3,850-foot Mt. Equinox. Continue up the road (now the Appalachian Trail/Long Trail) to a bridge over a tributary of Bourn Brook, and leave the AT by turning sharply right (south) onto the Branch Pond Trail.
At mile 2.8, reach Douglas Shelter. Crash here if you got a late start, or continue south another 2.9 miles through moose-crossed bogs (look for hand-size hoofprints) to 48-acre Bourn Pond. Head south along the western shore to join the Lye Brook Trail and turn east. At 7.5 miles, reach an area flattened by a microburst. The jumble of fallen trees and tricky water crossings—some are impassable after spring runoff—make for slow progress to Stratton Pond, which emerges beyond the storm wreckage. Bear left onto the North Shore Trail and camp .2 mile later in the tent site; listen for loon calls and look for brook trout snapping at bugs atop the water.
Next day, leave your stuff in camp, pick up the southbound AT/LT at the southeast corner of the pond, and truck 3.3 miles to the fire tower atop 3,875-foot Stratton Mountain. The four-state view includes the Green Mountains to the north, the White Mountains to the northeast, the Berkshires in the south, and the Adirondacks to the west.
Inspired? You’re not the only one. Retrace your steps back to Stratton Pond for the second night. On your final morning, follow the AT/LT north into upland forest. At mile 17, take a footbridge over the Winhall River, which is skinny and more mossy rock than water in the fall. After one last view from Prospect Rock 3.6 miles later, descend Old Rootville Road to your car.
PERMITS: $6/night per person paid to the Green Mountain Club caretaker at the Stratton Pond sites.
GEAR UP: Eastern Mountain Sports, 263 Depot Street, Manchester, VT; (802) 366-8082; ems.com
MAP: Vermont’s Long Trail Waterproof Hiking Map 4th Edition ($10, greenmountainclub.org)
PIT STOP
Order a glass of wine and the duck with peppercorn sauce at Bistro Henry,or get BBQ anything on “Slo Smoke Sunday.” 1942 Depot St., Manchester Center, VT; (802) 362-4982; bistrohenry.com
NEAREST GROCERY STORE
Shaw’s Supermarket
64 Equinox Terrace, Manchester, VT
(802) 362-4479
Trail Facts
- Distance: 35.4
Waypoints
LYE001
Location: 43.172948, -73.010159
From the gate on Old Rootville Road, climb 1,000 feet in 1.5 miles up the dirt road toward Prospect Rock.
LYE002
Location: 43.153606, -73.008354
Take the 150-foot spur for a western view of 3,850-foot Mt. Equinox. Next: Continue up the road (now the Appalachian Trail/Long Trail) to a bridge over a tributary of Bourn Brook.
LYE003
Location: 43.150331, -72.991834
Leave the AT by turning sharply right (south) onto the Branch Pond Trail. Hike south toward William B. Douglas Shelter.
LYE004
Location: 43.14457, -72.99119
Douglas Shelter: Crash here if you got a late start, or continue south another 2.9 miles through moose-crossed bogs (look for hand-size hoofprints) to 48-acre Bourn Pond.
LYE005
Location: 43.109317, -73.003464
Head south along the western shore of Bourn Pond to join the Lye Brook Trail.
LYE006
Location: 43.108064, -73.00282
Bourn Shelter
LYE007
Location: 43.102879, -73.00488
Bear left onto Lye Brook Trail, heading east.
LYE008
Location: 43.105902, -72.982736
At mile 7.5, reach an area flattened by a microburst. The jumble of fallen trees and tricky water crossings—some are impassable after spring runoff—make for slow progress to Stratton Pond, which emerges beyond the storm wreckage.
LYE009
Location: 43.105793, -72.971792
Bear left onto the North Shore Trail and camp .2 mile later in the tent site; listen for loon calls and look for brook trout snapping at bugs atop the water.
LYE010
Location: 43.107343, -72.968584
Next day: Leave your stuff in camp, pick up the southbound AT/LT at the southeast corner of the pond, and truck 3.3 miles to the fire tower atop 3,875-foot Stratton Mountain.
LYE011
Location: 43.104571, -72.964432
Turn right and hike south along the eastern edge of Stratton Pond.
LYE012
Location: 43.102095, -72.955463
The trail will take you across a small river. Continue east.
LYE013
Location: 43.100137, -72.946343
Cross a jeep road.
LYE014
Location: 43.095432, -72.939331
Here, you’ll reach another stream. Cross, and follow the trail as it takes you southeast.
LYE015
Location: 43.0881, -72.926453
Be sure to tank up at a water source
LYE016
Location: 43.085934, -72.924896
Stratton Mountain (3,936 ft.): The four-state view includes the Green Mountains to the north, the White Mountains to the northeast, the Berkshires in the south, and the Adirondacks to the west. Retrace your steps back to Stratton Pond for the second night.
LYE017
Location: 43.123461, -72.976491
Take a footbridge over the Winhall River, which is skinny and more mossy rock than water in the fall.
LYE018
Location: 43.104696, -72.964389
On your final morning, follow the AT/LT north into upland forest.
LYE019
Location: 43.150268, -72.991598
Turn left. Ahead: After one last view from Prospect Rock, descend Old Rootville Road to your car.