Little rock pond trail, vt
12/22/2017
Photos from October 2017
Tucked into southern Vermont’s Green Mountain National Forest, the Appalachian Gap/Little Rock Pond Trail is part of the 2,181 mile-long Appalachian Trail and the Long Trail. White blazes–4×6 inch rectangles painted white and typically placed on trees or rocks–are marked along the route, keeping trekkers on the right path.
This scenic idyll, located near the small town of Danby, offered stunning views: quintessential autumn oranges met deep green hues as we traversed deeper into the forest.
A lil' history
The Green Mountain National Forest, founded in 1932, spans an impressive 399,151 acres.
The Wilderness Act of 1964 disallowed use of all mechanized gear in the entire forest – including bikes. They weren’t messing around! The forest was later aided by the 2008 American Reinvestment and Recovery Act. And its protection hasn’t been in vain. The area we trekked was absolutely gorgeous, boasting an abundant, vibrant, and healthy ecosystem, thick with diverse trees and plants.
Hike highlights: Starting off
As I mentioned, the Little Rock Pond Trail is also part of the Long Trail, which has a cool background. It was established in 1910 by the Green Mountain Club and took 20 years to complete. It’s also the oldest long-distance trail in the U.S., spanning 273 miles. The Long Trail meets with the Appalachian Trail, and they run together for about 100 miles through southern Vermont.
It’s a very hiker-friendly and well-maintained spot. We were greeted with ample parking and restrooms. We made sure to fuel up before we headed out.
Where we started, you have two options: Hike the 4-mile Little Rock Pond Trail, or continue on to the Green Mountain Loop Trail, which is a 6.5-mile loop along the summit of Green Mountain. Because we started our trek just after noon, we opted for the shorter route. It wasn’t due to us being lackadaisical; we just didn’t want to run out of sunlight.
At the beginning of the trail, we were greeted with a playful brook – more on that below. There’s a small incline with steps, but the majority of the trail is pretty even-keeled, welcoming novel and experienced hikers alike.
Trudging deeper on the Little Rock Pond Trail, you are met with an almost ethereal and mystic vibe. I wouldn’t be surprised if fairies called this misty wonderland home. 😉
Damp Climate = Bountiful Green Ecosystem
I can’t speak for the rest of the year, but during this near-end October hike, the area was super moist. This meant some parts of the trail required raised wooden beams to walk over where the ground was more muddied and puddled. It was a wonderful perk that kept our feet dry. 
On the plus side, the soggy climate provided a supple environment for spectacular moss and fungi growth.
Fab Fall Foliage
Long, thin trees with red and orange leaves clinging to their branches umbrella the beginning of the trail. Fun fact: Little Rock Pond Trail resides in the Northern Hardwood Forest, a diverse North American forest ecosystem found in southern Canada and the eastern U.S. As you can see, the trees in this forest boast stunning autumnal colors, typical of New England woodlands.
Little Black Brook
A creek teeming with small trout and tadpoles runs parallel to the path – the current was fairly strong and steady, allowing us to witness pleasant mini waterfalls interspersed along the route.
The Main Attraction: Little Rock Pond
The pond is hot spot for swimming and fishing. We saw some people fishing, but the air was much too brisk to take a dip – unless you’re on that polar plunging grind! We passed on that but certainly took advantage of the incredible vantage point.
From the edge of the grassy area bordering the pond, we spotted a ton of dark salamanders floating in the water. It took me back to my childhood when my sisters and I would go salamander seekin’ in the forest as part of a Metro Park program in Northeast Ohio.
Optional: Pop a Squat For a Night or Two
East of the pond, you’ll come across camping shelters, perfect for those on the long trek along the Appalachian trail, or for those who simply wish to wake up to a beautiful deep aqua body of water. You can post up there for $5/night. If I frequented the area, I would definitely stay a night or two.
We spent a good hour exploring the pond and climbing rocks that offered stellar views. With the sun steadily lowering, we decided to head back the way we came instead of pushing on to complete the loop. I didn’t mind – it just meant we were able to enjoy the beauty we just encountered one more time.
How to Get There
As always, remember to honor the Leave No Trace trail practice – bring out everything you bring in!
Peace,
smb
2 thoughts on “Hike: The Appalachian Gap/Little Rock Pond Trail, VT”
I liked the “lil history” and the picture of the sandwich in your hand. Looks like a beautiful area with beautiful friends. I’m sure anyone visiting the area would benefit from reading this blog post about hike! Fun pictures! Great words! Thanks for sharing!
It was beautiful indeed! And that sandwich was delicious. 😉