If you are in north/central VT tomorrow, you will LOVE t

[ixl]

I spent the day today driving around (and around, and around) Lincoln, Starksboro, Waitsfield, Warren and vicinity. I had a BLAST! The color is actually superb, if you know where to go and do it at the right time of day.

First and most important point: get off route 100! Sure, it's okay as highways go, but it's still a highway. To really enjoy the foliage you need to get onto the side roads.

Okay... here's my gift to you leaf peppers.. a loop suggestion for someone staying in Burlington or Montpelier. This is somewhat similar to what I did today (only I did some of it several times.)

In the morning, take I-89 over to Waterbury and go south on route 100 to the intersection of 100B. Go north towards Moretown and turn right on Pony Farm Road, going south. This becomes North Road into Waitsfield, then Common Road and then E. Warren Road. It goes all the way from Moretown to the Roxbury Mountain Road. TONS of cool farms, big maples and mountain views, including the Camel's Hump. Explore the side roads here too -- you could spend a whole day in just in Waitsfield and Warren. This area is probably best done between 8 and 11 am.

Head up to the Roxbury Gap for IMO the best views of any of the gaps. Go back down to Warren and head over the Lincoln Gap road. Then drive around Lincoln.. superb views and great color. Get some lunch. Lincoln is best done in the afternoon.

From the Lincoln Gap road go south on Geary St. to Grimes, to Ripton and then to West Hill Road. This has GREAT views of Mt. Abraham and that whole range. Then follow that to York Hill Road. More great views.

Take W. River to Quaker St. and follow that north to Downingville Road up into Jerusalem... follows the mountains with lots of color. Then take 17E to Gore Road and go north up into Huntington for a good view of the back of the Camel's Hump. (Trick: the best views of the Hump IMO are not on the road to Camel's Hump SP but further north on Main Road, near Spence Rd.)

If it's late, keep going north to get back to I-89. Otherwise.. double back and take route 17E back over Appalachian Gap. Colors are a bit past prime at the top, but what the heck. Then on 17 before you get to Irasville look for Number Nine Road or something like that.. turn left to go into Fayston. Follow that to Bragg Hill Road... excellent views across the valley!

Take 100 back north or head up to Roxbury Gap for the best place IMO to watch the sunset in this area.

If anyone does this route, please report back and tell me what you think! --c

[pwt54]

I tried to view this as a newcomer and I believe they can do it without getting lost. IXL, if you get a cahnce try the North Hollow Road to South Hollow Road to Town Line Road and another North Hollow Road to the Bethel Mountain Road. This is from Granville to Rochester.

[Bellavance]

I'll probably try this tomorrow, from Stowe.

I've put all the places in my GPS so I should't get lost...

Thanks

Pierre

[Kai]

You guys keep changing your words. What the heck! You guys put me everyday 3 hours on the computer to figure out my routes this coming weekend.

I guess I am gonna explore a litte bit myself. I will get off highways, I will look for roads with "hill", "mountain", "lake", etc.

Of course, I am just kidding. I appreciate the effort from everybody here.

Kai

[dkramer]

The name of the road coming down the App Gap towards Waitsfield off of 17 is Number Nine Hill Road. Alternatively, take 17 all the way to the bottom in Waitsfield. Make a left onto 100 and a VERY quick left (basically two lefts in a row) onto Bragg Hill Road and go up the hill from the other side. The views at the top are phenomenal. You can see the whole range, including the 3 ski areas associated with the Mad River Valley. Also, stop by Spike Vasseur's house (second on left after left bend in Bragg Hill Road coming from Waitsfield...this is the beginning of the descent down Bragg Hill). My family has been buying maple syrup from the Vasseur Bros. for about 20 years. We hold their product in the highest esteem. Look for the sign at his driveway (VT maple syrup sign).

Daniel

[ixl]

Thanks for the info Daniel. I did see that that road went right down to near 100, but I didn't do that part. I went the other way.

pwt, I had to laugh when I saw your post. Last night, after starting this thread, I started thinking about where I would go this morning for the couple of hours I had on my way back home. Guess where I ended up? --c

[pwt54]

I went down to see the snow geese that weren't ther by way of rt. 116,the Monkton Rd., and route 17 with a side trip to the "Nest" for lunch. Decent color from Monkton down and on the mountains. Rt. 17 so-so and Snake Mt. was barely turning. There were 20 vultures circling over Bristol. That's not good.

[cashelan]

Excellent!. I loved the route.
Cemetries, Farms and lovely colors. Its a wondeful route. Thanks you..

[Bellavance]

We went there Friday. Beautiful. Here are some pictures taken in this area.

Thanks for this information.

Pierre

<img src="http://www.bellavance-grenier.com/CRW_0961.JPG" alt=" - " /> <img src="http://www.bellavance-grenier.com/CRW_1168.JPG" alt=" - " /> <img src="http://www.bellavance-grenier.com/CRW_1244-1.JPG" alt=" - " />

[findkeys]

Hi, Pierre
thanks for your so beautiful pictures, I love the 3rd one .