The following is a sample hike from The Best of the Appalachian Trail: Overnight Hikes by Victoria and Frank Logue. This 21-mile hike in Vermont is just one of 67 hikes in the book. In the book itself icons at the top of each hike help readers to quickly identify the key features of the hike such as a view, waterfall, or historic area.

Stratton Mountain/Lye Brook Wilderness Loop

This is actually a figure-eight hike that will take you through some of the best the Green Mountains have to offer. The hike uses the A.T. and L.T., the Lye Brook Trail, the Branch Pond Trail, and the Stratton Pond Trail to wind you through the Vermont wilderness. Stratton Mountain is topped with a firetower offering a commanding view of the Green Mountains and surrounding Vermont countryside. You will also hike to Stratton and Bourn Ponds and pass through the Lye Brook Wilderness.

There are five shelters along this hike, supplying numerous options for breaking up this outstanding hike. Although rated moderate, the hike up and back down Stratton is definitely strenuous. Don't despair; the rest of the hike is much easier.

The Hike
From the trailhead on the Arlington-Wardsboro Road (locally known as Kelly Stand Road), hike north on the A.T., which shares the same trailway with the L.T. on this section. You will gradually begin ascending, and in 1.3 miles, you will cross a dirt road. The ascent becomes more strenuous as you climb Stratton Mountain. At mile 2.8, pass a small spring on the uphill side of the trail.

At mile 3.4, reach the wooded summit of Stratton Mountain (elevation 3,936 feet). A ranger-naturalist with the Green Mountain Club is on duty mid-May through mid-October at the small cabin near the firetower. The cabin is the ranger's residence and is not open to hikers. However, it is worth the effort to climb to the top of the firetower and take in the tremendous view. Stratton and Bourn Ponds can be seen to the west far below. Mount Equinox, the highest peak in the Taconic Range, is also to the west.

Follow the A.T. off the summit and descend steeply for the first mile, then more gradually. Reach an old road 1.9 miles past the summit of Stratton. At mile 6, reach Stratton Pond Junction (elevation 2,550 feet), where water is available from a small spring. A good swimming area is also nearby.

From the Stratton Pond Junction, follow the blue-blazed Lye Brook Trail. Reach Bigelow Shelter in .1 mile and the Vondell Shelter .1 mile beyond. Stratton Pond is the busiest camping spot on the L.T. A caretaker is on duty in peak season and fees are charged for camping or staying in the shelters.

From Vondell Shelter, hike .4 mile to a log bridge over the Stratton Pond Outlet. At the bridge, you will reach the junction with the western end of the North Shore Trail, which leads .75 mile around the north shore of Stratton Pond back to the Stratton Pond Junction. Continue following the Lye Brook Trail and cross the upper reaches of the Winhall River in .6 mile. As you cross the river, which at this point is a small stream, you enter the 14,300-acre Lye Brook Wilderness.

From the Winhall River, hike 1.2 miles to South Bourn Pond Shelter on the southwest bank of the mountain pond. Water is available from a spring located on a short side trail. From the South Bourn Pond Shelter, follow the Branch Pond Trail north for .5 mile and pass a short side trail leading to the North Bourn Tenting Area, which offers a privy and a couple of tent platforms. Near the platforms, there is a good view of Stratton Mountain rising above the pond.

From the camping area, hike .75 mile to where the trail crosses Bourn Brook. The trail follows the brook 2.3 miles to the William B. Douglas Shelter. Water is available from a spring along the trail before you reach the shelter. From the Douglas Shelter, hike .5 mile to the junction with the A.T. Turn back hard to your right and follow the A.T. south for 2.4 miles to a bridge over the Winhall River. Cross the bridge, and climb along the side of an unnamed ridge for 2.2 miles to Stratton Pond Junction.

From Stratton Pond Junction, follow the blue-blazed Stratton Pond Trail south. This was the route of the A.T. until a 1989 relocation over Stratton Mountain. With little elevation change, the Stratton Pond Trail leads 3.9 miles to Arlington-West Wardsboro Road. When you reach the road, turn left and walk the .75 mile back to the parking area at the trailhead.

Trailhead Directions
The A.T. crosses Arlington-West Wardsboro Road (locally known as Kelley Stand Road) 13.2 miles east of US 7 at Arlington, Vermont.
~Copyright 1993 Victoria and Frank Logue