This hike has a few options.
I'll be doing the hike as an overnighter, taking a friend out who wants to know what this backpacking thing is all about. Anyone who wants to come along for a day-hike option will need to have at least some minimum skills in following a trail, because I probably will not be able to guide you out. However, for option 1, you're going down the same trail you came up. Not hard. For option 3, the trails are very easy to follow. I know, I've hiked that trail many times.
Trail notes (Note: all mileages are taken from the parking area):
From the parking lot on the Arlington-West Wardsboror Road (Kelly Stand Road) (0.0 miles), at the site of Grout Job, an old lumber camp, the Long Trail proceeds north into the woods and continues over gently rolling terrain towards Stratton Mtn. Soon after crossing the gravel International Paper Road (1.4 mi.), the LT begins to climb gradually, then ascends switchbacks to pass a vista to the right(2.0 mi.).
Climbing to, then following, a level bench, the LT reaches the col (2.7 mi.) between Stratton and Little Stratton Mtns., and then ascends another series of switchbacks. The trail passes a spring (3.2 mi.), and continues its ascent to the fire tower on the southern peak of Stratton Mtn. (3.8 mi.). Stratton Mtn. claims a unique role in hiking trail history. James P. Taylor was on the mountain when the idea of the Long Trail was born, and the Appalachian Trail was conceived by Benton MacKaye on it's summit.
The fire tower on the summit provides a sweeping view of the surrounding mountains and countryside. Somerset Reservoir and Mt. Snow are to the south, Glastenbury Mtn. is southwest, and the Taconics, including Mt. Equinox, the highest peak of this range, lie to the west. Mt. Ascutney is to the northeast and Grand Monadnock in New Hampshire is to the southeast. To the north is Stratton's North Peak with it's gondola station. On clear viewing days, Killington Peak and the Coolidge Range are visible in the distant north. A GMC summit caretaker may be on duty to assist hikers. Camping is prohibited on Stratton Mtn. to protect its vulnerable vegetation and soils.
Note: Day-hikers taking option 1 would turn back here and retrace their route to the parking area. Total distance will be 7.6 mi., 3.8 mi. up and the same back. The total elevation gain is 1706 feet.
At the summit, the LT bears left just beyond the tower. Straight ahead, a wide, unblazed, old service road follows the ridge 0.7 mi. to the North Peak of Stratton Mtn. (Note: this peak might be worthwhile as a side-trip, if people are feeling energetic.) Descending a series of switchbacks, the Trail passes a short spur trail (4.0 mi.) to a spring and continues to a fine view (4.5 mi.) west to Stratton Pond, the Lye Brook Wilderness and Mt. Equinox. The LT continues downhill at a gradual grade to recross the IP Road (5.8 mi.). Beyond the road, the LT descends gently, soon reaching a woods road, which it follows for a short distance before crossing a small knoll and then a bridge over a brook (6.4 mi.)
Beyond the brook, the LT rises past a beaver pond, then levels out before reaching it's junction with the Stratton Pond Trail (6.9 mi.) The Stratton Pond Trail is an alternate route between the Arlington-West Wardsboro Road and Stratton Pond. Descending, the LT shortly reaches Willis Ross Clearing at the southeast corner of Stratton Pond and the junction with the Lye Brook Trail at the shore of Stratton Pond (7.0 mi.). Willis Ross Camp, destroyed by fire in 1972, was located in the clearing to the right.
Stratton Pond is the largest body of water on the Long Trail. It also receives the heaviest annual overnight use of any location on the Trail, with over 2000 campers at the pond between Memorial Day and Columbus Day. This heavy use is concentrated at the pond's shoreline, which is particularly prone to erosion. A GMC caretaker stays near Willis Ross Clearing during the hiking season to assist hikers and to maintain the local trails and campsites. Hikers are strongly urged to safeguard this natural area by using the shelters and designated campsites. A fee is charged for overnight use at the shelters and campsites near the pond.
To the left from the clearing, the Lye Brook Trail follows the south shore of the pond to a piped spring (unreliable in drought) and reaches Vondell Shelter after 0.2 mi.
This frame lean-to, with room for 8, was constructed in 1967 by the International Paper Company. The shelter is named in honor of John H. Vondell, an active member of the Worcester Section for many years, a former trustee and president of the GMC, and a noted Vermont photographer. Its water source is Bigelow Spring. Arlington-West Wardsboro Road to Vondell Shelter, 7.2 mi., 4.5 hrs.
Note: I've stayed in Vondell one night. It's old and cramped, with a tin roof. The night I stayed there, it rained lightly for most of the early evening and night. However, the rainbow over Stratton Pond more than made up for the noise. For those who have their own maps and wonder about Bigelow Shelter, don't. It has been removed, with plans afoot to build a newer, better shelter in its place.
Heading south on Stratton Pond Trail (starting 0.1 mi. south from Stratton Pond along the LT, milepoint 6.9), the trail travels southwest with little change over puncheon and crosses a gravel road (also the Catamount Trail) at 8.4 mi. from the parking lot on the Arlington-West Wardsboro Road. The trail crosses through more puncheon and wetlands and finally reaches the Arlington-West Wardsboro Road at 10.6 mi.
Walk east 0.9 miles along Kelly Stand Road to return to start point at 11.5 miles.
Elevation gain: 1,700 feet. Projected hiking time: 6 hr 15 min, day-hike option.
