Stratton Mountain, resting securely in the Green Mountain range of Vermont, is well known for its ski resort. It’s also an incredible backpacking destination. Hike through the Lye Brooks Wilderness to visit Stratton Pond, Bourn Pond, and the Stratton Mountain fire tower.
Trail facts
- Length: 23 miles
- Duration: 3 days
- Elevation Gain: 4,200 feet
- Peak Elevation: 3,875 feet
- Best Season to Hike: Summer to Fall
- Difficulty Level: Moderate
- Beginner-friendly: Yes
- Bear Canisters: Not required
- Permits: Not required
Itinerary
This loop of Stratton Mountain is a three-day loop starting from Rootsville Road. Download the complete itinerary, including mileage, here.
Trailhead parking
Park your car at the Prospect Rock Trailhead off of Rootsville Road. It’s a small gravel pull-off near a water tower, and can fit about three or four cars. If it’s full, you may be able to park on the road.
When leaving your car overnight, don’t leave valuables in sight. However, I wouldn’t worry. I was out two nights and came back to my car completely untouched.
If you’re uncomfortable with leaving your car there, you can also arrange a shuttle with the Green Mountain House Hiker Hostel and leave your car there at the hostel.
Day one (3 miles)
Having a shorter first day makes this a perfect weekend hike. Get some miles out of your way Friday night after work, and spend your full days (Saturday and Sunday) with the majority of your mileage and your views.
- Take the Prospect Rock Trail, also called Old Rootsville Rd. to the junction with the Long Trail/Appalachian Trail.
- There’s a small spur trail leading to the Prospect Rock Overlook. It’s easy to walk right past it; so watch out for it. You don’t want to miss the view.
- Follow the Long Trail into the Lye Brook Wilderness until you reach the Branch Pond Trail and the William Douglas Shelter. Camp here for the night.
- Alternatively, you can keep hiking another 3 miles and camp at the Bourn Pond North campsites.
Day two (12.7 miles)
- Follow the Branch Pond trail to the Lye Brooks Trail. You’ll pass by Bourn Pond, and navigate a beaver dam, which has the tendency to flood the trail after a heavy rain.
- Follow the Lye Brooks Trail until the junction with the Stratton Pond Shelter and the Long Trail/Appalachian Trail. Drop your pack at the shelter, since you’ll be coming back, and follow the Long Trail to the summit of Stratton Mountain. There you can also climb up the fire tower and enjoy the spectacular scenery.
- After soaking in all the views, retrace your steps back to the Stratton Pond shelter. There you can also swim in Stratton Pond or simply enjoy the pond-side scenery.
- Note: There’s a $5 fee to stay at Stratton Pond, either in the shelter or in a tent nearby. However, there is word that the Green Mountain Club may be discontinuing it in 2024.
Day 3 (7.5 miles)
- Hike back to the Long Trail and take a left (opposite of yesterday). Follow this trail back to the Prospect Rock Trail, which you’ll then follow back down to your car.
Water
Water is plentiful along this trip, mostly in the form of ponds. Each camping spot has access to water.
At the Stratton Pond Shelter, there is a spring if you follow the pond shore to the right. You’ll see a worn path to follow, which will lead to a spring of brilliantly cold water.
There is a beaver dam on the Lye Book Trail that can cause flooding across the trail. Typically, you can hop across it on rocks and logs. However, if it’s rained recently (as it had when I went through), the trail will be submerged. Be careful as you pick your way around or ford it, and don’t forget to enjoy the scenery.
Camping
Dispersed camping is allowed along both the Long Trail/Appalachian Trail and the Lye Brooks Trail. In addition, there are several designated camping spots as well.
William Douglass Shelter: This is the first camping spot you’ll come to, only 3 miles from the trailhead where you parked your car. There’s room in the shelter for 6-8 people, a fire ring, and a privy. There are some tent spots in the vicinity of the shelter as well.
Bourn Pond North Campsites: Campsites along the shore of Bourn Pond. There are composting privies available here, but no bear box.
Stratton Pond Shelter: A large, popular shelter with space for 16 people, it’s actively maintained by a full-time caretaker from the Green Mountain Club. There’s a privy, bear boxes, and access to swimming at Stratton Pond. There’s a $5 fee to stay at the shelter, but there’s word the Green Mountain Club is discontinuing that for 2024.
As always, when camping, follow the principles of Leave No Trace, and do your best to leave the site better when you leave than it was when you found it.
Other adventures in the area
There’s plenty more to do around the Green Mountains.
Manchester Center
Manchester Center is your closet town. There, you can find anything you need: an outfitter, a grocery store to resupply, some fast food if you need a quick bite of town food, or several sit-down restaurants if you want to really celebrate coming back to civilization.
The Mountain Goat is the local outdoor retailer in town. Since they are a local store and not a chain retailer, give them a little love! They have maps of the surrounding areas as well as gear and outdoor clothing to set you up with anything you might be missing.
Mount Equinox
Drive to the top of the second-tallest mountain in southern Vermont on the Mount Equinox Skyline Drive. Or, if you’d prefer, you can hike up to the summit.
Lye Brooks Falls
Only 10 minutes drive from the Prospect Rock trailhead is Vermont’s tallest waterfall: the Lye Brooks Falls. It’s a popular four-mile, there-and-back hike. Be prepared: It’s a easy but steady ascent.
Green Mountain House Hiker Hostel
When I thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2023, this hostel was one of my favorites. Granted, the fact that they had a boot dryer and we’d been walking in rain for the past seven days might have had something to do with that.
But also, the owners were incredibly friendly, and the rooms were clean, spacious, and comfortable. They have a shuttle to take you into town or pick you up from trailheads if you need, and they have plenty of experience in helping you find other interesting things to do in the area. If you’re doing a section hike, they’re able to store your car for you and pick you up at the end of you hike.
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