APPALACHIAN TRAIL
|
 |
| LOCATION:
Southern Vermont |
| HIKE
STARTS: Stratton Mountain |
| HIKE ENDS:
Clarendon Gorge |
| TOTAL
DISTANCE: 35.1 Miles |
| HIKE TYPE:
One Way, Shuttle Hike |
| HIKE
DIFFICULTY: Difficult |
| TRAILS
USED: Appalachian Trail |
| TRAIL
TRAFFIC: Heavy |
| TRIP TYPE:
Multi-Day Hike |
| MANAGEMENT:
A.T. Conference |
HIGHLIGHTS: Stratton Mountain
at 3,936 feet is likely the birthplace of the Appalachian Trail. Benton MacKaye,
who first published a proposal for the creation of the A.T. is thought to have
come up with the idea during a hike on this mountain. A cabin with a summer
caretaker is near the summit for overnight use, and a side trail leads a short
distance to the Stratton Ski Area where a gondola provides access to the base of
the mountain. Stratton Pond is located just north of Stratton Mountain, and
it has two shelters, a swimming area, and a camping area. The pond is one
of the busiest areas on the entire Long Trail and a caretaker is on site to
manage the site.
The Appalachian Trail continues from here to the town of
Manchester Center, then climbs up Bromley Mountain which is topped by a fire
tower and a warming hut. If you follow the chair lifts down the ski slope,
there is an alpine slide that starts half way up the mountain. Tired Dogs,
Laid Back Sue, and I took multiple rides on it, and I highly recommended it.
The Trail continues in this section past two
alpine camp sites, Griffin Lake Campsite and Little Rock Pond. It then
passes near the town of South Wallingford and eventually drops down to Clarendon
Gorge. A suspension bridge crosses the Mill River here, and it's only a
short distance from it to VT 103 and the town of North Clarendon.
