Bluff Community Trail - Lookout Trail Loop - Bluff Mountain South - Island Pond, VT

Bluff Mountain is in Island Pond, Vermont. A 1.5 mile hike to the summit with 1095 feet of elevation gain, then another .1 mile to the Lookout. The Bluff Community Trail is an intermediate hike that gets steep near the top. The Lookout Trail is difficult. A shorter hike (0.8 miles) that is 746 feet elevation gain, straight up near the summit with metal rungs built into the rocks. I recommend going up this trail rather than down. I was sliding on my butt down the first section of this trail.


 There is a nice parking area at the trailhead.


The trail starts through a beautiful red pine forest.

Then it is a gradual climb through some mixed forest.


 Soon the trail leads through some beautiful white birches.


There has been some great trail work done. Some stone steps to help you along the way.


How much farther? Here's your answer.


Getting near the top it gets steeper. 


Puncheons! I liked how these were staggered. Done any balance beam practice lately? 


Finally the summit! Still a little ways to the view on the Lookout Trail. No worries, it doesn't get steep until after the viewpoint.


A view of Island Pond.


Take this trail. The sign is a little understated in my opinion. The yellow blazes should be red and danger should be written somewhere.


This is me hugging a tree and shooting straight down.


Looking back up the trail at the first section of metal rungs.


Back to flat ground and a nice hike out.

Map & Directions: https://www.trailfinder.info/trails/trail/bluff-mountain-community-trail

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