Stratton Loop

One Friday in July, Jen had some work to do in southwest VT and I had the day off. While she did her field work in Arlington, I spent the morning tapping away at my laptop over a long brunch in a restaurant. Then around mid-day we drove up Kelley Stand Road, parked at the AT trailhead, and headed out for a much-anticipated trail run. She had done this particular loop several times before in recent years, and I had backpacked much of it (the Long Trail part) back in college, but we'd never run it together.

The ascent of Stratton Mountain on the AT / Long Trail is a fun one. There are just enough switchbacks to level the grade to a degree where you can run most of the way (though we hiked a few of the steeper bits). For several miles you climb through the forest -- hardwood at first, then mixed, and then finally spruce-fir conifers near the top. 

There's a fire tower in a small clearing at the actual summit where we chatted with a couple of through-hikers and took in the views. Then we jogged the spur trail over to the top of the ski trails and chair lifts of Stratton Mountain Ski Area, where apparently there was a yoga retreat event going on. That spur trail dips slightly into a saddle in the middle and crosses a section of boardwalks, but for the most part it's quite runnable and fun. 

The descent from the summit to Stratton Pond requires a little bit of trail running stamina, as there are a number of rocky bits and logs to jump over. But if you've been keeping your core fit you should be fine. I was not entirely fine, but that's another matter. At Stratton Pond, we took time out for a quick swim (delightful, of course) before lacing back up and heading out for the descent of the Stratton Pond Trail. 

Jen had done this loop several times before, and each time reported that the Stratton Pond Trail was pretty sloppy, with significant muddy patches. Well, let me tell you, we hit it on a good day, because it was easily one of the most fun little stretches of trail running I've done anywhere in New England. For a few miles we rolled along an undulating surface through mixed woods, and then dropped steadily back down to Kelley Stand Rd. Barely a patch of mud the entire way. It was a terrific way to cap off the loop. 

Except we weren't entirely done yet. There was still the small matter of a little road run back to the car at the other trailhead. It wasn't bad, though by that point we were pretty well tuckered out. And the deerflies did come out to feast a little bit, especially in the gravel parking lots. 

At the end, we capped the afternoon off with a quick swim in Grout Pond, just a few miles down the road. It was totally worth the side trip from the main road. A family was just finishing up their kayak trip and the whole thing just felt like exactly what people should be doing on a warm summer evening.