Lewis Pond directions-2010

[wentworth]

I've never been to Lewis Pond. Probably won't in the near future. I don't want to take the time required for a 36-mile drive on a one lane dirt road

I have seen numerous photos from Carol, CT, and others who have made the trip. While it is one-of-a-kind, I'm sure, there are other breathtaking views in the state which are much easier, for the less adventurous -- or time-minders.

Owl's Head Overlook in the Groton State Forest is a great example. A short drive up a good, (but steep) gravel road to the parking area and another short (maybe 20 mins at the most), but quite vigorous uphill hike to the top and you see some pretty nice views. My site has one or two of them in the Vermont section of States and Places. I think you could get your fill (or at least a pretty good shot) of "breathtaking" on that short, relatively easy trip. And the SF Road (232) you take to get there, with Ricker Pond to at the South end is a gorgeous drive, too.

ok Andy, Owl's Head seems like a good suggestion also-- We have never been there--I see that it is just west of Peacham,off RT. 232 between Rt 2 to the north and Rt 302 to the south---page 11 on the JIMAPCO Atlas

[pwt54]

shyu, the Delorme Atlas will be better for the "Really Back" back roads. The direction for Lewis Pond and the Lewis Pond Overlook are correct. The roads are in good shape. There is logging activity on the Henshaw Road right now. Not sure how long they will be there. They don't work on Sundays.

[ctyanky]

MMVT: What a thread you have started! Excellent! So many responses. Traffic jam a good possibility!

I think your Honda CRV will be just fine. I think we were in Al's rental car and it was fine. GIC had a truck and Carol and her husband also had a truck or crossover?

This horrible road of yours wouldn't happen to be the Old Kirby Mountain Road out of Victory Bog would it??? I was on a moose quest a couple of years ago in the bog near East Burke and we decided to take the Kirby Mountain Road to Ridge Road back to 114. Scary! Huge ruts, rocks, small tree limbs in the road we had to move, etc. AWFUL. When I look on my Jimapco now I see dashed lines! What possessed me to try this I'll never know. I had guests with me and they enjoyed it but I was clutching the steering wheel the whole way. No place to turn around so we had to keep going. It suddenly ended on a nicer road and I was very relieved! When I told Phil about this he said the road was a breeze.

I have another story about a tractor/field road he sent me on that ended in a mud pit but that is for another thread.

[Rockwall Tim]

Just last October, my bride and I had a hairy experience somewhere near Strafford. Earlier in the day, we had ventured off on an unpaved, unnamed road that proved to be a delight, full of wonderful, canopied flaming-leaf brilliance.

So we tried again. This time, the road was just as beautiful and we were having a great time...but the road narrowed. We passed a rusty trailer-house, and a lady on the porch gave us a look of total anger. That should have warned us. Eventually, we were in mud and unable to turn around. My Tom-Tom said we could continue with no problem, but our eyes said otherwise. We prayed about it and then quickly found a tiny wide spot in the road, just enough to turn around.

We got out of there, but not before that lady glared at us again.

[ctyanky]

Tim: that is quite a story. I laughed at your tale but I'll bet a lot of us have had similar experiences. I'm glad your prayers were answered and you came out fine!

I like the "Tom Tom" part of it the best! That would be great on the musings forum!

Guess it is best to go with your gut feelings. Unfortunately, I did not learn my lesson the first time and the tractor/field road became faux paus #2.

[wentworth]

Shyu and others: here is the link from our reunion of last year. On page one, Carol has some outstanding shots of Lewis Pond. Being there is beyond words.

http://scenesofvermont.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=1871

wow is all I can say--that second shot especially--what a picture!

[autzig]

I wasn't thrilled with any of the photos I took at Lewis Pond last year. The color was good but there were low hanging clouds and it was windy. I was shooting at 1/15 of a second and ISO 400. I really would have liked a faster shutter speed to get the foliage sharp, but I did what I could. I really like the ridge lines and the color as far as the eye can see.

http://www.goldimagesphoto.com/LewisPondOverlook.jpg

Here's a photo of Kettle Pond taken from Owl's Head.

http://www.goldimagesphoto.com/KettlePond_5154.jpg

Owl's Head is really nice and it is easy to get to. The walk from the parking lot takes some effort as it is all uphill but it isn't long and the view is worth it.

Al

[Aspen]

Autzig, your pictures convey what many people would love to see when visiting Vermont during Fall Foliage time. In what town or area is Owl's Head? Would someone familiar with driving to Owl's Head, please post the driving route/directions in the Great Driving Route thread of the Foliage Forum so others will have access to the directions. I know the directions to Owl's Head are posted somewhere in the past Foliage Forums but do not know where to begin to retrieve them.
What time of day would be recommended for photographing Kettle Pond from Owl's Head? Morning or late afternoon?
Thanks, Autzig, for posting and sharing your pictures of these beautiful areas of Vermont on the Foliage Forum.
Aspen

[brandtb]

That is a very nice subject with a lot of potential - the ridge lines are so nice I think as well. I was looking at with the upper fifth cropped out...so the ridge lines are isolated...that was interesting. What was aperture?

[wentworth]

Autzig, your pictures convey what many people would love to see when visiting Vermont during Fall Foliage time. In what town or area is Owl's Head? Would someone familiar with driving to Owl's Head, please post the driving route/directions in the Great Driving Route thread of the Foliage Forum so others will have access to the directions. I know the directions to Owl's Head are posted somewhere in the past Foliage Forums but do not know where to begin to retrieve them.
What time of day would be recommended for photographing Kettle Pond from Owl's Head? Morning or late afternoon?
Thanks, Autzig, for posting and sharing your pictures of these beautiful areas of Vermont on the Foliage Forum.
Aspen

Owl's Head is off Rt 232, which is between Rt. 2 to the North and Rt. 302 to the South, just west of Peacham

[wentworth]

I wasn't thrilled with any of the photos I took at Lewis Pond last year. The color was good but there were low hanging clouds and it was windy. I was shooting at 1/15 of a second and ISO 400. I really would have liked a faster shutter speed to get the foliage sharp, but I did what I could. I really like the ridge lines and the color as far as the eye can see.

http://www.goldimagesphoto.com/LewisPondOverlook.jpg

Here's a photo of Kettle Pond taken from Owl's Head.

http://www.goldimagesphoto.com/KettlePond_5154.jpg

Owl's Head is really nice and it is easy to get to. The walk from the parking lot takes some effort as it is all uphill but it isn't long and the view is worth it.

Al

autzig, great shot of the Lewis Pond ridgelines---what date was that taken?

[ctyanky]

wentworth: ummm, I think Lewis Pond is calling you????

Go forth young man

[autzig]

Wentworth, I took the Lewis Pond shot on October 5, 2009.

brandtb, I see what you mean with the top fifth cropped out. I like that a lot. The aperture was f8.

Aspen, there is a gate at the entrance to Owl's Head that is locked until someone gets around to opening it. I think the sign says 8:00 am but the time is unreliable. I've photographed the location at various times. You are pretty much looking due west to get Kettle Pond in the photo. There are great views in other directions too.

Al

[pwt54]

Aspen, you will be fighting the sun in the late afternoon at Owl's Head. But the shadows will add to your photos. There is a good view of Osmore Pond on the other side of the mountaintop.

[Aspen]

Appreciate all the information shared related to Owl's Head and glad to be forewarned the area is facing West. Thanks PWT for pointing out afternoon sun will be an issue; insteading of dealing with that know ahead to plan a morning visit to Owl's Head.
Aspen