Located on the Barrows Farm — from which it took its name — Barrows Camp was a simple frame shelter offering bunks for twelve hikers, a reliable nearby spring, and excellent views of the Sterling Range. Built in 1931 at a cost of $144.70, the shelter was constructed with help from Fred Mould, one of the most prolific trail and shelter builders in the Sterling area.
Design and Influence
Barrows Camp’s straightforward design became a prototype for later shelters in the region, including Duck Brook Shelter and Rolston’s Rest. Both of these later structures adopted Barrows Camp’s basic layout, though each was modified: Duck Brook and Rolston’s Rest were converted into open‑front shelters, and Rolston’s Rest eliminated bunks entirely.
Closure and Replacement
Barrows Camp remained in service for more than six decades. In 1994, the Laraway Section of the Green Mountain Club closed the shelter after constructing Roundtop Shelter, located roughly 700 feet below the summit of Roundtop Mountain. With the new shelter in place, Barrows Camp was officially retired.
Sources
- Long Trail Guide Book. 50th Anniversary Edition (16th) ed. Green Mountain Club, 1960.
- Long Trail Guide Book. 50th Anniversary Edition (16th) ed. Green Mountain Club, 1960.
