Griffith Lake and Little Rock Pond

The Appalachian/Long Trail in southern Vermont offers another beautiful short hike. The hike is to Griffith Lake and Little Rock Pond. It is a 3-4 day hike depending on where one starts, but there are a few options. This hike is a bit more demanding than the one to Bourn Pond. There are three or four mountains to hike over, depending on staring point.

From the south, heading north:

One starting point is at the AT/LT trailhead on Rt 11/30, where there is a large parking area. The distance to Griffith Lake tenting area is 10.6 miles. will take one over Bromley Mtn. In case of a late start, there is the option to camp at the Bromley Shelter, 2 miles up from the parking.

Mad Tom Notch is an alternative starting point. From Peru one takes Hapgood Pond Rd and USFS 21/Mad Tom Notch Rd. That will shorten the hike to 5.1 miles to Griffith Lake.

Starting from the north:

From South Wallingford on Rt 7, Little Rock Pond is a mere 2.3 mile hike.

Another starting point is from Rt. 140, this is a 6.3 mile hike to Little Rock Pond. This takes one over White Rocks Mtn with an area covered with cairns of broken white rock. Some are even in the trees.

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The view from Bromley Mtn. at 2360’ offers a panoramic view. There is a warming hut open for hikers in the season. Some hikers prefer to sleep there and experience the spectacular sunset and sunrise. As there is no water up there, it has to be carried up from the Bromley Shelter, located a mile before the top.

The next water source is at Peru Peak Shelter. In a pinch there is a very small stream of brownish water a tenth of a mile before arriving at Mad Tom Notch Rd. It is a mere trickle when the weather is dry. I have filtered and drank it with no other option. At times, trail angels leave water by the trailhead at Mad Tom Notch, but I would not count on it.

The hike up Styles Peak and Peru Peak winds thru evergreen trees which cool and refresh the air. There is just a saddle between these two peaks, in contrast to the near 2000’ climb from Mad Tom Notch to Styles Peak.

A half mile before the tent sites at Griffith Lake, there is the Peru Peak Shelter. In season there is a caretaker that will charge $5 per night at either the shelter or the tent sites by the lake. There are numbered platforms for tents and a picnic area with a fire ring down by the lake. There is also a privy. Griffith Lake is at about 2600’ altitude and the air can be chilly even on summer nights.

The hike between Griffith Lake and Little Rock Pond is 9.2 miles. It goes over Baker Peak at 2850 feet with a bald spot on top and a nice view. It has cellphone reception and many hikers stop to text or make calls.

Little Rock Pond has a beautiful shelter with a large porch about 100 feet from the pond. Around the shelter are numerous camp sites to choose from. There is a caretaker in season who will charge $5 a night.

I have come across people camping on the other side above the landmark rock. There is a trail going around the pond and the best swimming is jumping off the rocks across from the shelter!