Stratton Mtn, Vermont??

[Mohamed Ellozy]

What is the best way of going up Stratton in winter? The usual summer route or up the ski slopes? If up the ski slopes, which, and.how hiker-friendly is the resort?

I am in Manchester, VT, right now planning on Dorset today and Equinox tomorrow, if the weather holds and my body is capable I may attempt Stratton on Monday (the joys of being retired ).

Thanks!!

 

[Dugan]

I've hiked Stratton several times in winter, though it's been a couple of years since the last time.

I prefer taking the LT/AT north over the summit, then looping out via the Stratton Pond trail. There's about a mile road walk between the two trails. The Arlington-West Wardsboro Road is usually plowed to the AT/LT trail head. I've never seen it not plowed to there, but I don't know if it is always maintained. The road sees a lot of snowmobile traffic so the roadwalk is easy. The trail around the pond is beautiful in winter, if you have the time.

The hike can be shortened by using the woods roads that intersect the LT after its descent from the summit.

 

[dms]

I agree with Dugan as to access for the trailhead, I've been there 3 times in winter, and I have never had a problem driving in. I did the loop to the pond once, but after getting nearly run down by several speeding sleds, I think I'd opt for the in and out approach, and skip the road walk.

 

[MTNRUNR]

Done it yet???

If not...I'm in that area and could meet and go with you, if you don't mind company?

If your just looking to "bag" the Peak, the shortest/easiest way is on the old trail that follows the old phone+/- line off the Kelly Stand Road(2.8 miles each way). I'd be up for doing it tomorrow or

Will be @ 802-874-4672 during the day and 802-257-2015 in the evening.

 

[Mohamed Ellozy]

I agree with Dugan as to access for the trailhead, I've been there 3 times in winter, and I have never had a problem driving in.

Anyone know its status this year? From the above posts I would guess that the road is plowed to the trailhead, but if anyone knows for sure I would appreciate it!

 

[Rik]

Anyone know its status this year? From the above posts I would guess that the road is plowed to the trailhead, but if anyone knows for sure I would appreciate it!

I was there on 1/12 and it was plowed from the east but not from the Arlington side.

 

[una_dogger]

MichaelJ and I cross country skiied on the Kelly Stand Rd AKA Arlington Stratton Rd sunday Feb 18 and it was plowed only 2 miles in from the Route 7 (west) side. There was heavy snowmobile traffic on it sunday. FWIW there was only about a foot of snow in the Stratton area but it will be much deeper on Dorset as we got 2 feet in Wallingford.

I'm not sure about how far its plowed out on the other end because we only skiied it 3.5 miles in and then turned around, but it is not maintained in winter so I doubt its cleared all the way to the LT/Stratton Pond.

BTW, I am off tommorrow, Wednesday, and I need Equinox. Let me know if you want a partner to help you break trail.

I'm sending you a pm with my email addy.
S

 

[MTNRUNR]

Don't know for sure?

My bet would be that it is plowed to the trailhead from the East(but no further), but haven't been there this winter.

 

[Dugan]

I used to go to that TH several times a winter for several years, but not for the past two years (except twice).

FWIW, I have never seen it NOT plowed out from route 100 westward to the LT/AT trailhead. That large lot was used for snowmobile trucks/trailers. Likewise, I never saw it plowed westward beyond that TH, though as Una_dogger says, there were always snowmobile tracks due to the frequent races held in the area. I have never approached it in winter eastward from the route 7 side.

Granted, I'm a couple years out of date, but due to this experience, I wouldn't hesitate to drive up, expecting the road to be open and plowed between route 100 and AT/LT TH.

 

[una_dogger]

That's really good to know, Dugan. Next time we'll go that way, so we can ski around Stratton Pond!

 

[Dugan]

That's really good to know, Dugan. Next time we'll go that way, so we can ski around Stratton Pond!

I haven't tried skiing that, but have often seen tracks around it. What you could do, is to park at the AT/LT trailhead, ski west on AWW to the Catamount trailhead, then take that up to the LT and go around the pond.

 

[MichaelJ]

Cool - thanks Dugan!

For the curious, we were parked in a large lot (with a bunch of snowmobile trailers) exactly 2 miles up the road from the bridge where the road starts, the plowing stopped maybe 100' further east, and we skied in as far as FR 85. It was really beautiful and the snowmobilers courteous and friendly.

 

[RoySwkr]

What is the best way of going up Stratton in winter? The usual summer route or up the ski slopes? If up the ski slopes, which, and.how hiker-friendly is the resort?

I know that some speed-hikers have used the ski slopes after hours but have no idea how receptive the resort is to hikers in the daytime.

Anyone know its status this year? From the above posts I would guess that the road is plowed to the trailhead, but if anyone knows for sure I would appreciate it!

Probably the most up-to-date official source is the Woodford Snobusters who maintain the snowmobile trails in the area, see snobusters.com or call their snow line at 802-447-7669

 

[kmac]

I was there all last week and noticed many people snowshoeing a variety of trails to the summit.
kmac

 

[Mohamed Ellozy]

Had I bothered to get the official VT road map from my car I would have found out that the section that is closed in winter starts (from the east) at the trailhead

Great trip, will soon post trip report.