BOURN, BRANCH & STRATTON PONDS backpacking in southern Vermont.
BOURN POND, Lye Brook Wilderness, Green Mountain NF. From the end of FR 70 (2,700'), backpacked 3.5 miles to a campsite on N side of Bourn Pond (2,552') with a stop at Branch Pond (2,636', 3 loons, osprey) along the way. A little N of the west campsite is a great view to Stratton Mtn. Loons very vocal, otherwise nice & quiet. Day 2 - hiked on the Lye Brook Trail (rocks, roots, mud, little maintenance, moose scat) to Stratton Pond (walked all the way around the pond) & Shelter - 7.5 miles, 5.5 hours. Had a nice afternoon swim back at Bourn then watched a moose feeding on the E side of the pond. Moose still there in the evening - 200-300 yards away so tough to get a good pic. A beaver approached a loon family with 2 chicks (chicks make a low mewing sound), slapped its tail but the loons seemed unperturbed. Day 3 - backpacked out. Saw 2 guys carrying in a Krapp Kayak! Open moldering privy - there is one at the north campsite & one near the so...