The Where… for fall colors in Vermont?

When people come to this website they ask two basic questions, “Where can I find Peak fall foliage?” and “When can I find peak fall foliage?”. When you look at my images you would say he’s finding “Peak Fall Foliage” all the time and every year! Read on dear leaf peeper…

That is why I spend so much of my time on the road. And it’s a matter of viewpoint. In the image below you would say, SEE… he found some more peak fall colors… Well, to be honest, I was driving along and it was NOT what was ahead of my truck that made me stop but what I saw in my rearview mirror.

Yes, this is the view behind me (image below) It was as I said, the view in my rearview mirror which you are seeing here that made me get out of my car and take this shot. Sometimes you have to look backward to go forward… As far as finding this for yourself?

My friend Jane asked me to not say where this is (her house is on the left) but if you go to Vermont and travel over Route 125 and the spine of the Green Mountains, you’ll be very close.

Top 10 Best Places in Vermont

So Number 11, is the image above which I’ve included as a bonus. Everybody has their opinion on what the top 10 best Vermont places are when it comes to the fall colors. So much depends on when and what you are looking for and what makes you happy. Here are 10 locations that I think you should take a look at.

I’m going to start way up North and work my way down South. These will be locations that once you find them, you’ll also find other places to explore as well.

This list May NOT be the 10 MOST popular…

I have written many times about places like The Peacham View, The Stowe Church/smugglers Notch, and The Sleepy Hollow Farm and you can read those by clicking the links. Today we’re talking about my 10 best that have not been written about… “as much”. So I will tell you about places that you can find in the Gazetteer or even on your phone on Waze… (maybe)

If anyone feels like I just eliminated half the good places in Vermont, I hope you’ll be surprised by what I have to show you…

Some of these views will be expansive, looking over valleys but if you know me, I really prefer up close and more personal views. I love capturing the covered bridges as a way of looking back at our local history. Let’s start up North…

1. Jobs Pond, Westmore Vermont

Starting way up North in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont we will visit Westmore Vermont. Job’s pond is a small pond that is due East of Lake Willoughby. If you find Abbott Hill Rd and Newark Road (the same road) you can gain access to the parking area for the pond. You can also put in a kayak and paddle around the pond. Fishing is allowed if you have a permit.

There are a bunch of ponds throughout Vermont and many of them have drive up access. Just south of Jobs pond is Bald Hill and Newark Ponds which are equally as scenic.

2. Hazen’s Notch

Hazen’s Notch is another of those underrated routes that many seem to know about but few really talk about. It’s a nice direct shot between Montgomery and Lowell Vermont which sits on Route 100. This, for the most part, is a dirt farm road and it’s well-graded during the summer but closed in the winter.

I’ve only caught Hazen’s Notch in Late Sept (22nd) and while it wasn’t peak, due to its elevation it was very pretty. It’s also known as Route 58 and if you decide to stop on the side of the road to get a shot, be mindful that some people zip over this dirt road pretty fast. So make sure you can be seen by cars coming up your side of the road.

3. Owls Head Mountain, Kettle Pond

Off Route 232 in Groton State Park, you will find Owls Head Mountain. Luckily for us, there’s a road to drive most of the way up. This is also (for the most part) handicap-accessible. You see when you get out at the (dirt) parking lot, you can get out and have a nearly flat/level route to a lookout point to view the Kettle pond. But the view is rather limited. But there is another view for that is for those who are more mobile. (see the image below)

For those who are a bit more adventurous, there is a medium-exertion climb up a well-marked path to the upper lookout point. This view and the stone lookout building at the top is worth the climb. Early morning or late afternoon is very good viewing times.

If you are coming up for a sunset or moonrise view, be aware that the gate back down at the entrance on Route 232 and Lanesboro road is locked up tight at sundown. So to be safe, park your car on the side of 232 and walk the entire way up to the parking lot. (a bit of a climb)

Here is a Google map to it.

4. Penny Lane off Vermont Route 2

Route 2 in central Vermont will connect Danville to St. Johnsbury. Right outside of Danville on the south side of the road is a pull-out. On a clear day in early October, you will be rewarded by views of the nearby hills in shades of red, orange, gold, and green. But taking the road next to the look out and explore the roads through the farmland can yield so wonderful images.

But if you take the turn just past (or before coming from St. Johnsbury) you will be on PennyLane. Now I don’t remember where the shot above was so it will be up to you to explore and see what you can find. There are small farms all along this road and if you take the time to explore you are sure to find interesting views.

The image here was taken on 2 October 2014 so I would say if you visited the first week in October you will be finding very nice fall colors. Here is a Google map to help locate this in your Gazetteer.

5. Guildhall Gristmill

Guildhall Vermont sounds like something from a Tolkien novel but no hobbits, dwarves, or elves were seen. Guildhall sits on the Vermont-New Hampshire border and if you find your way onto Route 102, North of Lunenburg, you will be most of the way there.

There are many farms and barns along Route 102 but the Guildhall grist mill is the most photogenic of all of them who knows maybe you’ll find something new and tell us about it in the comments.

6. Round Church, Richmond Vermont

From Guildhall you can cross Vermont to Richmond Vermont and the Round Church. I’ve written about it primarily during Christmas time because I spent 10+ years trying to catch it at the perfect time. Who knows what the “perfect” time is but framing the church with the fall colors is always a favorite

There is not a ton of color around the round church but with careful framing, you will be able to create something noteworthy. .

7. Northfield Vermont “5” Covered Bridges

We’re now heading South of I-89 and a bit to the East. Now, I term the 5 covered bridges in Northfield Vermont simply the “Northfield 5”. If you find your way onto Route 12 in central Vermont but also to the East of the Green Mountains and Route 100 and South of I-89 you will drive through Northfield Vermont. Here is an article that tells you about all five.

Did you get to the other side of Northfield and you didn’t see them? Well like all gems, sometimes they are just hidden out of sight. You will have to take the time to visit these five covered bridges. Click this link to find an article on the Northfield 5 with pictures and a map to help you out.

8. Middlebury Vermont Snowbowl

This may sound strange, that I’m sending you now to a snowl bowl??? Well, this is one of those times I will tell you to ignore what it’s called because when you look out from the side of a ski slope, you have great chances for uninterrupted views of the valleys below.

Also, you may find closer views as well. The morning I was there, the sun was playing hide and seek with the clouds. My wife will attest to the fact that my patience is often on the short side but I stood waiting for this stand of trees to get spotlighted by the sun poking through AND!!! the hill behind it which was completely peak was in shadow.

This made the stand of trees stand out in all their fall color glory. View in my Gallery.
Here is a link to a Google map.

9. Woodstock Vermont, Middle Covered Bridge

Woodstock Vermont is one of those classically beautiful Vermont towns. It does tend to be more upscale than most Vermont villages but it doesn’t lack when it comes to beautiful views. The town common is long and narrow with Route 4 coming in from the East and out to the West. Or maybe you came down Route 12 from Northfield and if so you’ll pass through Barnard so stop at the General Store and into Woodstock.

Either way, you have the Woodstock Middle covered bridge in the center of town, just off of the Common. And if you choose this spot as a jumping-off point. You have the aforementioned Route 12 to explore but also Route 106 south to the Jenne Farm with its classic Vermont Farm charm.

You also have the Billings/Marshfield Farm Museum just north of town. and that is also a National Park as well. (Click this line to view)

You could easily spend several days here in and around Woodstock Vermont. But let’s go over to the other side of the Green Mountains and towards the Southwest corner of Vermont.

Addendum: This is an article that I think is very important. So I’m including a link to my fall foliage primer. It may provide answers to your queries, but if it doesn’t, feel free to leave a comment at the end of the article.

10. Manchester Vermont, Hildene and Todd Lincoln

Traveling down Route 7 past Rutland and Mount Tabor you will see signs for Manchester. This is a beautiful college town so it can be very lively but it’s a great place for food and relaxation. Just south of town on Route 7A, you will find the signs for Hildene, the Home of Todd Lincoln. Here is a link to a Google Map. Here is a link to another longer article on Hildene.

The home sits on the ridge of the Battenkill Valley With expansive views of the valley and you can wander through the gardens behind the house (assuming there isn’t a wedding going on) to enjoy the wonderful array of flowers.

Then you can head down to the sustainable farming part of the estate where they raise goats to make goat cheese. The proceeds help with the upkeep of the estate.

My top 10 Views in Vermont

Well, I’m sure some of you will note all the places I left out (horrific groans) and to be honest off the top of my head list is a little over 21 “top ten” places and I bet many of you would be hard-pressed to limit yourself to “JUST” 10 places in Vermont. But I will say that most of these are not the usual places people know about (Jenne Farm, Sleepy Hollow, Smugglers Notch), and yes I do mention these places or articles about them but most of today’s scenic locations should be new to many of you.

My goal in choosing these less visited locations is to get you to get and explore. For me, I enjoy my trip so much more if I locate one or two new places that I haven’t been to before. I hope this helps you do the same.

Jeff Foliage Folger

Autumn is a state of mind more than a time of year – Jeff Foliage

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