Mile 9.5 Lye Brook Trail — Division 3 — Elev. 2555 ft
Vondell Shelter is located about 0.2 mile from LT at Willis Ross Clearing on south shore of Stratton Pond. This frame lean-to, with room for 8, was constructed in 1967 by the International Paper Co. The shelter is named in honor of John H. Vondell, an active member of the Worcester Section for many years, a former trustee and president of the GMC and a noted Vermont photographer. Its water source is Bigelow Spring a short distance on the trail. [GB 24th Edition 1996]
Surprise shelter – For more than 30 years on the weekend after Mother’s Day 1he Worcester Section has assembled faithfully on the Stratton Road and were dispatched to various section trails for the annual spring work party. This year the trail workers cleared trail toward Stratton Pond. There were a few blowdowns as usual. Along the Pond’s south shore to Bigelow Shelter all was well. But as they progressed westward toward the pond’s outlet, they stopped short in amazement. There, before their very eyes, was a new shelter! WHODUNIT?? Finally, the secret was revealed. International Paper Company had done it. What’ll we name it? Perhaps Surprise Shelter would be appropriate. With such heavy use of the Stratton Pond area, this new shelter will be a valuable addition to our LT system. Here is a splendid example of landowner interest and cooperation. So, to International Paper Company, we say “Thank You’. [LT News, August 1967]
In May 1967 the International Paper Co. built a new shelter for LT hikers at Stratton Pond. Since the passing of our beloved John Vondell in September of 1967, we have often thought of the many years that John went on Worcester Section work trips to Stratton Pond with George Story and Louis Bigelow, Now, with John absent from our midst, it is a fitting tribute that his memory be perpetuated with a shelter named in his honor. The International Paper Co. has kindly given us permission to name their new shelter as Vondell Shelter. Thus, as Louis Bigelow and John Vondell met side by side at Stratton Pond, now Bigelow Shelter and Vondell Shelter rest almost side by side at the pond which they loved so well. We mow that John would have been pleased to have this shelter named in his honor, at one of his favorite places on his beloved LT. And we are all richer because John walked there with us. [LT News, August 1968] This shelter will be removed Stratton Pond’s shoreline after the new Stratton Pond Shelter has been completed in September 1999. [LTN Fall 1999]
