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Lye Brook Trail Reroute Opens!

October 1, 2020 by GMC Staff 5 Comments

Take that, COVID-19! Despite the setbacks of 2020, we were able to move forward with a trail project that has been years in the making. Stratton Pond is a popular hiking destination for so many that it’s even in our HikeVT recommendations, but it is also a fragile pond ecosystem that requires special consideration.

A rare Common Loon swimming across Stratton Pond. Photo by John Plummer.

The Lye Brook Trail previously ran along the south shore of Stratton Pond all the way from the Long Trail/Appalachian Trail to the Stratton View Tent Site. This is a fragile shoreline area that is vulnerable to disturbance from hikers who stray off the trail to access the pond. Therefore, in the most sensitive section, we relocated the trail uphill, away from the shoreline.

Southern Caretakers testing newly installed puncheon on the new trail section. Photo by Kati Christoffel.

The goal is to concentrate pond access at Willis Ross Clearing on the east end and Stratton View Tent Site on the west end while allowing the rest of the shoreline habitat to rehabilitate. Last year the Long Trail Patrol (Green Mountain Club’s professional trail crew), with help from several college community service groups, cut most of the new section of the Lye Brook Trail, but it didn’t open for use.

Caretaker Naomi painting a blue blaze to mark the route of the new section of trail. Photo by Kati Christoffel.

Last week our southern caretakers officially opened the reroute by blazing (painting marks on the trees to show the trail), installing new directional signage, and covering up the old trail with brush. They also replaced broken pieces of the bridge across the pond outlet.

Caretaker Leo canoeing lumber across Stratton Pond to the work site. Photo by Rosalie Sharp.
Southern Caretakers repairing bridge at Stratton Pond outlet. Photo by Kati Christoffel.

What we love about this photo is how excited they are to complete this part of the project and the pride they take in their work.

Southern caretakers showing off the new eastern start of the Lye Brook Trail. Photo by Nigel Bates.

The east end of the Lye Brook Trail now intersects with the Stratton Pond Trail approx. .25 mi south of Stratton Pond Shelter. It no longer connects directly to Willis Ross Clearing. The west end intersection has not changed.
Thanks to all of you for your support to make this project happen! We hope you enjoy the new section of trail.

Filed Under: From the Field, News, Trail

Comments

  1. Sue Gardner says

    October 2, 2020 at 11:26 am

    Thanks for providing this info to give us new ideas for hikes. It is a great time to explore our beautiful state.

    Reply
  2. John Hickok says

    December 15, 2021 at 4:02 pm

    Sign for Stratton View Access just after you cross the bridge is dangerously low! At eye level it juts 8″ into the trail, which is boggy. In either direction, especially when dark, the puddles force you close to the tree, you’re looking down to avoid the water, and BANG, you walk right into it. I smashed my head hard on it this weekend. ALSO, it should say “Stratton View Tent Sites” – “access” gives one no idea what it is!

    Reply
    • Chloe Miller says

      December 17, 2021 at 11:35 am

      Hi John, I am passing this note along to the Field Programs team to address – thanks for sharing. Work on the Lye Brook trail and the entire Stratton View/Stratton Pond area will continue next season, so expect to see lots of work in progress and changes made!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Lye Brook Wilderness Loop - Backpacking Routes says:
    October 24, 2020 at 1:26 pm

    […] Reroute at Stratton Pond: The Green Mountain Club finished a major reroute of the Lye Brook Trail away from the fragile shoreline of Stratton Pond in October 2020. That […]

    Reply
  2. Reflections on Returning to Vermont - Green Mountain Club says:
    May 23, 2022 at 10:28 am

    […] feeling fades, and I know I belong here and now – in the woods and on the trail. I belong at Lye Brook Falls, on Harmon Hill, at Equinox Preserve, in the Park McCullough Woods. I used to train on these trails […]

    Reply

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Camel’s Hump: Hiker Reflections on Their Backyard Mountain

June 26, 2025

Rising from the spine of the Green Mountains, Camel's Hump is home to scenic views, a wilderness feel with its undeveloped summit, and choose-you-own-adventure hiking options. The mountain's proximity to more populated areas like Burlington and Waterbury make it a popular and well-hiked destination, … Read more

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The Green Mountain Club is the founder and maintainer of the Long Trail - the oldest long distance hiking trail in America. Established in 1910 to build this trail stretching the length of Vermont, the club now also maintains the Appalachian Trail in Vermont and trails in the Northeast Kingdom in its mission to "make the Vermont mountains play a larger part in the life of the people." Read more...

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