Lewis Pond directions-2010

[ctyanky]

Hi MMVT: I found Phil's directions from last year. I'm not sure if he has driven the Lewis Pond route yet. Perhaps he will chime in and see if what I have posted below still holds true, or if there are changes due to this year's road conditions.

You will not regret this trip. If I had time, I would return. I hope you decide to go. It is a "Vermont view of a lifetime".

Sun Sep 27, 2009 10:09 am --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"I used to send folks on the Stone Dam Road because it was easier. But the colors on the Henshaw and Four Mile roads are better. Drive east out of Island Pond village about 1/2 of a mile and look for the Henshaw Road on the left. Turn left onto the Henshaw Road. The road starts out bushy then you come to a wide open area with an old farm. Drive past the farm and the camp and soon you will come to a gate. Drive through the gate and in about 3 miles look for a wooden post on the left side that says the Nulhegan Basin. Take the road across from this sign post, This is the Four Mile Road. Drive this road to the end at the Lewis Pond Road and turn left. Drive the Lewis Pond Road up to the end where this overlook is located.

For you folks that would rather use the Stone Dam Road; The Stone Dam Road is off route 105 in Bloomfield,VT. Take the Stone dam road to the end at the Eagle's Nest Road and turn left. (Warning; somewhere along the line the Stone Dam Road changes it's name to the Canal Road. So if you plan to come back the way you came, look for the Canal Road signpost and not Stone Dam Road.) Drive the Eagles Nest Road to the end at the Lewis Pond and turn right. This will take you to the overlook. When you are done I would drive back and go past the Eagle's Nest Road and in a couple of miles, look for the Four Mile Road on your right. Drive the Four Mile Road to the end at the Henshaw Road and turn left to get back to route 105 in Island Pond. This year any car can drive these road except maybe a lowslung Ferrari."

[shyu]

Hi,
After reading this great forum many fall seasons, I am coming to visit Vermont october 4 thru october 11. I want to order a good Vermont road map now, either "Delorme Vermont Atlas and Gazetteer" or "Jimapco Vermont Road Altas" as recommended in this forum. I would like to ask one question -- (generally speaking) both Delorma and Jimapco Vermont road atlas will show all these SMALLER unpaved country roads such as Stone Dam Road, Henshaw Roads, Four Mile Roads? Or they only show the names of BIGGER roads such as Darling Hills Road, Hinton Road? Thank you.

[ctyanky]

Hi Shyu! You will find the names of these roads in the Jimapco and the Northern Cartographic Road Atlas and Guide. I have them highlighted. I don't own the Delorme but others do from the forum, and they will have to chime in regarding the appearance of these roads. I like the Cartographic quite a bit as it is more topograhical.

I would highly recommend that you go with someone on the Lewis Pond adventure. It is a VERY, VERY LONG ride in on the forest road. But the end result, well, you just have to be there to understand!

And not to be bold, but there are no bathrooms from beginning to end, and it is a VERY, VERY LONG TIME until you get out of the Nulhegin Basin. So be prepared. (I know from experience!!! UGH! )

[ctyanky]

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

[Aspen]

Take heed to advise from all those who have been to the Lewis Pond Overlook.
Riding along with someone from Vermont who is familiar with driving the Lewis Pond Road is very wise and recommended. This would be ideal, however, for many visiting Vermont, it is not always an option to have this opportunity. If unfamiliar with driving Lewis Pond Road and visiting from out of town, please do not drive this road alone! Alone means one car going alone. My husband and I drove Lewis Pond Road together but in reality we were from out of town, unfamiliar with this road, uncertain where it was leading and although together, we felt very much alone out in the wild backcountry of Vermont! It was a whiteknuckle drive for us all the way to the Lewis Pond Overlook. Ctyanky, who was in the security of a wonderful local driving and in a group, even warns to not venture out on this road alone. When Ctyanky advised it's a long, long drive, converting the word long into milage means an 18 mile drive on a one lane dirt road and a repeat drive back the same way unless you know of a short cut back which neither we nor most out of towners would know. Do not recommend driving this road if it rains without four wheel drive. Do not venture out on this road if you can't get back before it gets dark. It becomes darker earlier with the thick coverage of trees over the road. Go early so you can return before dark. Go with a local guide, go in a group, have a buddy system or go as a caravan. Be sure you have a mobile phone with you incase of an emergency. Not one car passed us to and fro our drive to the Lewis Pond Overlook. Had we met up with a car or truck, would have been a problem passing each other on this one lane road! The inexperienced on this road may become anxious then realize even turning around to go back is a difficult challenge. You have to drive for miles before you may find a place to safely turn around.
This forum abounds with outstanding suggestions and advise from many who have experience living in or visiting Vermont. Use your best judgement when others are sharing advise for not only your pleasure but safety.
Aspen

[Rockwall Tim]

All of this makes me both want to go see it and to stay away from it!

[ctyanky]

I can't argue with anything Aspen has said except don't feel that you can't go at all! Just be prepared! Please don't miss this view if at all possible. Carol did mention that ground clearance with your car is important as well as latest road conditions! Aspen has put down a very valuable, upfront personal reflection on her own experience. Safety and your own comfort level are paramount in your decision to try Lewis Pond.

This is a remote destination folks but ultimately, you will not experience anything like it elsewhere in Vermont in my opinion. I didn't feel the road was impassable at all when we went but it was very narrow. I have actually been on worse back roads in Vermont than this one but the conditions were really very good when we went.

So, road conditions at the time you go should be the determining factor. Hopefully Phil will do a drive through soon. I think if you follow these directions explicitly, you can go in a your car, but yes, I wouldn't go alone. Aspen has put out another very strong point. Leave by dusk!!!

We were fortunate to have Phil as our guide and we were in a 3 car caravan, so I didn't feel any anxiety at all. I fully understand where Aspen is coming from!

Use your own judgment, go with your gut feelings. It's a sight not to be missed and you will always carry the grand view of layers upon layers of rolling mountains for hundreds of miles bursting with color with Lewis Pond in the foreground. Gives me chills just thinking about it! You will be rewarded with the view of all views. GIC has a panorama in his website that is unreal.

DO NOT RELY ON GPS HERE AT ALL.

So, listen to the reports, make your own decision and then GO FOR IT.

[Rockwall Tim]

Looks like there are two or three routes people use to get there...so if you will, be sure to specify the road(s) you took.

And I guess it's imperative for those of us who might go to Lewis Pond this fall to have someone report in who has made the trip recently...and update us on road conditions.

I'm gung-ho to go regardless...unfortunately, my dear wifey is kind of a white-knuckle passenger when we leave hardtop roads.

[shyu]

Thank you everybody:

I am originally from a tropical island where no trees ever change color. From this forum, I have learned and written down a lot of scenic Vermont roads/trails. Now I need a good Vermont Atlas to help me find these roads/trails.

I just ordered the Delorme Vermont Atlas and Gazetteer today and will buy either Jimapco or Cartographic Atlas after I arrive. (For your information: Jimapco has a 4th edition 2010 Vermont Road Atlas just come out).

For Lewis Pond, I plan to go at sunrise so I can come out before noon, if weather permitted. Otherwise, I just drive to see Owl's Head, Joe pond, Crystal Lake, Lake Willoughby, Long Pond, Peacham, Stowe, Woodstock, .. there are just too many beautiful places in Vermont to explore.

You ladies/gentlemen are very lucky living so close to paradise.

[Andy]

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.

[hjb]

hi, just joined this forum today, although I have been an active reader for a few years. I will be taking the lewis pond road plunge in a couple weeks, the prospect of a nice long foliage view is making me salivate. What exactly is the protocol for vehicles on a one lane road when one meets another in opposite directions? I've traveled in just about every part of vermont over the years, and been on scores of small dirt roads, but don't think i've ever been on one that I couldn't pull over enough to let someone go by. Also, are any of the local roads that lead to and from that particular area, logging roads, and are there chances that you could encounter a logging truck on the route to lewis pond overlook. thanks for any help. On another topic, this past saturday went to the annual Waitsfield Autumn Craft Fair, and after spending way too money on do-dads, and other flumeries, traveled down rt. 100 south, crossed over to brandon on rt. 73 eastward, where I noted a very subtle color shift, would guess on rt. 73 that within 10 days or so, they should have some nice color.

[ctyanky]

hjb: Welcome! Glad to see you posting! To answer a few questions. We did pull over a few times with little trouble. It was tight but it did not cause problems. The photographers in the road were the ones who had to move the tripods on a moment's notice when the other cars came through. Phil will be better able to answer about the logging trucks! There are signs for them though!

I found a post by GIC of our forum from last year's reunion. Imbedded in it is his incredible panorama. Hope you all enjoy! There was some haze from a previous drizzle.

Here is the post:

http://scenesofvermont.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=2170

Here is the panorama for all to "salivate" on!

http://gic-images.smugmug.com/Other/Fal ... cUVZ-X3-LB

You can set it on X3 for a large image and scroll around to your heart's content. It does not even do the scenic justice. Like I said, to be there is to know.

[autzig]

While the road to Lewis Pond is narrow, I don't think it is scary at all. It's a little narrow but moving over for vehicles coming the other way isn't difficult. It is a dirt road, so I'd be wary of driving the road after a lot of rain.

I don't think it is as long as CT thinks it is. It took us a long time to get there because we were jumping out of the car every couple of minutes to take photos. You have to drive slowly and if you don't have a high clearance vehicle, you may have to watch to avoid a few rocks.

Most importantly, the road is flat. There are no drop offs along the edge. I was on a really scary road in Colorado. It was barely wide enough for a single car. There were no rails and the drop off was about 1500 feet. If you wanted to stay away from the edge, you were confronted by a sheer wall that rose 1500 feet above the road. Now that is a scary road.

Just make sure your car is in good running order. I doubt that there is much cell phone coverage along the way so if you have car trouble, help isn't readily available. I think last year when we were there it was bow hunting season or something. We actually encountered quite a number of vehicles along the way.

I really liked the drive; not only because of the great color and scenery but because it was in the middle of nowhere. There were no houses or garages to get in the way of my photo. The rest of Vermont is great but I like being away from civilization. Of course being away from civilization means no rest rooms so be prepared for that. CT can probably give some helpful advice on that subject!

[wentworth]

hjb: Welcome! Glad to see you posting! To answer a few questions. We did pull over a few times with little trouble. It was tight but it did not cause problems. The photographers in the road were the ones who had to move the tripods on a moment's notice when the other cars came through. Phil will be better able to answer about the logging trucks! There are signs for them though!

I found a post by GIC of our forum from last year's reunion. Imbedded in it is his incredible panorama. Hope you all enjoy! There was some haze from a previous drizzle.

Here is the post:

http://scenesofvermont.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=2170

Here is the panorama for all to "salivate" on!

http://gic-images.smugmug.com/Other/Fal ... cUVZ-X3-LB

You can set it on X3 for a large image and scroll around to your heart's content. It does not even do the scenic justice. Like I said, to be there is to know.

GREAT PICS--love seeing water and Fall Colors together--and that one pic with the Red barn, trees look beautiful

[wentworth]

autzig re: Colorado--yes, the 1500 foot dropoffs with no guardrails is seared into my memory as we were on our way to the historic town of Leadville, Colorado--so taking the long narrow road to Lewis Pond Overlook wouldl not bother us at all....