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Written on: Mon Jan 31, '11 10:45 am
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paulblish
Topic creator
registered since: 31.01.2011
Posts: 2
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I am new to backcountry skiing. I had read about the Stratton Pond loop and went looking for it this weekend armed with the map and text off this web site. I started out from Kelly Strand (the second smaller parking lot). Picked up the trail 1/4 mile up the road hill as directed. The trail was obvious for the first three miles. At this point we chose to follow the catamount trail to the right following the single blue blaze and catamount trail markers. We could have gone straight at the point and it was not clear but there may have been an option to go left (I saw one double blue blaze but couldn't fine any more than that. We continued for about 30 minutes which I estimate to be a little over a mile and then turned back thinking we should have gone a different direction when we turned right. How do we find the stratton pond trail? I am begining to think we turned back too quickly.
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Written on: Mon Jan 31, '11 6:58 pm
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sambartlett
registered since: 11.11.2007
Posts: 68
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You did turn back too soon, you were on the right track. Did you stop seeing blazes?
At the four-way intersection where you went right (which was correct), the old CT went straight, until a nasty micro (mini?) burst closed it. Some old blazes had been left on this section, I took a bunch down last year. The left turn would have taken you on the Stratton Pond hiking trail, back to Kelley Stand Road. Going right you are on the CT and the SP hiking trail. It is a hiking trail, so it can be tricky to ski at times, but keep going.
You mention 'Loop', not sure what you had in mind here, there two nice loops from KSR to SP and back to KSR, both REQUIRE map and compass and bushwhacking.
Keep trying!
Sam
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Written on: Mon Jan 31, '11 8:00 pm
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Lynn Fisher
registered since: 14.11.2007
Posts: 67
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As for the "loop", I think David Goodman's new book recommends skiing around the pond, a lollipop route. That'd be a lovely ski, I'd imagine.
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Written on: Tue Feb 1, '11 6:52 am
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paulblish
Topic creator
registered since: 31.01.2011
Posts: 2
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Thanks for the feedback. If I did go straight would I have come up on the pond? To get to the pond do I turn off the CT at any point?
If I buy David Goodmans book will I get more detailed information on how to navigate this?
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Written on: Tue Feb 1, '11 8:01 am
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sambartlett
registered since: 11.11.2007
Posts: 68
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If you went straight at the four-way you would have encountered swamp and a huge mess of blown-down trees. With map and compass you could navigate around that and find the pond. Without it you might spend the night in the Lye Brook Wilderness.
The CT goes to the pond. It meets and follows the Long Trail nearly at the pond, shelter to your right, pond to your left. Last year it was blazed all the way.
Dave Goodman's 2001 book has the old route, which is not skiable or blazed anymore.
Sam
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Written on: Wed Feb 2, '11 8:55 am
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scoe
registered since: 24.11.2010
Posts: 1
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The CT is well blazed from the turn to the pond, with both CT markers and blue paint blazes. We skied part of it on Saturday, and because of ice on the trees, it's a little narrower than usual.
The route towards the Lye Brook end of the pond isn't too bad these days. There are still a few old CT markers, but they're a couple of miles down. Just before the blow-down, bear right up the hill to an old school bus, and then you'll have to bushwack to the pond from there, staying between the blow-down and the ridge, around to the west end of Stratton Pond. We did it last week, so tracks may still be visible. Another nice option for a loop is the River Trail, but it involves some bushwacking too.
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Written on: Wed Feb 2, '11 9:16 am
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Lynn Fisher
registered since: 14.11.2007
Posts: 67
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"paulblish" wrote:
If I buy David Goodmans book will I get more detailed information on how to navigate this?
His new book "Best Backcountry Skiing in the Northeast" (2010) has accurate, updated directions to Stratton Pond. I just checked! And I was wrong about him writing about circumnavigating the pond - it's an out-and-back tour.
Goodman is a great friend of the Catamount Trail and this book is wonderful. Definitely I recommend it.
Oh boy it's good winter, isn't it?
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Written on: Wed Feb 2, '11 11:11 pm
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sambartlett
registered since: 11.11.2007
Posts: 68
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I should have said that any Goodman book is worth having (I've been re-reading them lately) but you need to watch out for dated information in any old book. And I didn't have the newest one yet.
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Written on: Wed Mar 16, '11 11:00 pm
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kesroberts
registered since: 16.03.2011
Posts: 1
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How's the snow holding up in this section? I had a great time in this area last year and want to head up there again. I live in central mass all the skiable snow is long gone at this point.
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Written on: Thu Mar 17, '11 4:21 am
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Lynn Fisher
registered since: 14.11.2007
Posts: 67
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There is certainly plenty of snow! Pick a warm day and you'll have nice corn conditions, and perhaps hard pack where it's shaded so be careful.
Lynn
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