Photography Columbus Day weekend

[jeffox]

I'm familiar with most of Vermont & have done foliage photography on Columbus Day several times in the Arlington/Manchester area.

This year, I can come up (driving from NJ) to do photography for all day Oct 7 and 8. I'd like ideas on the best areas that will likely have decent color at that time, aren't in the way north (love NE Kingdom, but too far to drive), and have a variety of scenery (lakes, farms, town greens). It would also help to have a nice hotel with a warm bed and good food. I'm not on a tight budget.
--Jeff

[Andy]

Depends on how you define "way" north <g>. Last fall, I photographed Waits River, which is about 35-40 miles northwest of White River Junction and about 25 miles southeast of Montpelier. There are a couple of highly photographed little towns in the area (E. Corinth, E. Topsham, East orange), which have high vantage points from which to photograph the town (or in the case of Waits River -- a low vantage point. You can see my Waits River shot on the Foliage Vermont contributor's page). I haven't photographed E. Corinth, because it is an a.m. location and I was there in the afternoon. The afternoon vantage points for E. Orange and E. Topsham are pretty much gone (new forest growth). I plan to go back to Waits River this year -- with hopefully better color results.

Further north is the Village of Peacham (northwest of St. Johnsbury). Seems like these areas are both reachable in reasonable time from I-91. Again, you can see my shot of Peacham on the Foliage contributors forum. There is a farm field that goes up hill just behind the public works garage. , which is where I took the photo from. Hard to miss -- there will be 3 or 4 other photographers there. Again, this is an afternoon destination. There is a cemetary just accross from the PW garage that has some pretty nice vistas off into the mountains.

You may also want to try here for some additional class locations: http://sevenhillscameraclub.org/nefotogd/vt.htm.

Finally, David Middleton has done a guide to photographing Vermont (a small, reasonably priced book with info, directions, etc). I found it by searching for David Middleton on Amazon.

Good luck

[pwt54]

For that time of year and for what you are looking for I think the east-central part of VT south of route US 2 and east of route 14 would be best. I like the Groton State Forest area along route 232 for lakes and woods. It has Ricker Pond, Boulder Beach at Groton Pond and Kettle Pond ( there is a pull-off for Kettle Pond, but it may not be marked.). Look for a sign that says Owl’s Head Mountain along route 232 and drive that road to the parking lot. Walk the ¼ mile trail to the top for good views. The Peacham area offers good views of farms and villages. Take the Minard hill Road from route 302 in Groton. If that’s too high up, then try routes 110. 113, Academy Road, and then 132 back to route 14 in Sharon. Route 110 has 6 covered bridges. Starting from route 14 in south Royalton, head north and the first bridge is next to the road. The next is on Howe Lane about ½ mile ahead and on the left side. The third bridge is on Mill Street which is on the left side of rt. 110 in Tunbridge Village. It’s on the Larkin road on the right side of route 110 and can be seen from the road. The 5th bridge is on the Bicknell Hill road on the right side of route 110. Drive through this bridge and park on the left to check it out. Then turn left on the Moxley road to get to the last bridge. There is also a round barn with a great view behind it. It’s on the Whitney Hill road. This road is about 2 miles north of Tunbridge village and on the left side of route 110. The street sign was missing the last time I was there. If you come to North Tunbridge you have gone too far. Don’t bother turning around. Just continue route 110 north and look for the Dickerman Hill Road about ½ past the Larkin Road and on the left side of route 110. drive the Dickerman Hill road about ½ mile and look for the Whitney Hill Road 1 mile ahead and on the left side. When you go about ½ mile on the Whitney Hill road, look for a cemetery on the right. There is an old 1 room schoolhouse just past it on the right. Just left of the schoolhouse you will see a field. Walk out there and to the top of the field for a view. Continue the Whitney Hill a little farther and you’ll see the round barn. Have fun. Finish this road to route 110. Continue route 110 north to route 113 in Chelsea and drive that to Thetford Hill. Take Academy road on the right and drive that through the Covered Bridge in Union Village. Finish this road to route 132. If you turn left you will go to route I-91 in East Thetford. If you have time turn right instead and drive route 132 through South Strafford to I-89 in Sharon. Look for rooms in White River Jct. or Woodstock.

[pwt54]

OOPS,the bridge on the Larkin Road is the 4th bridge.

[oleg01]

pwt54 -
Are these area going to have same colors as Stowe area / Smuggler Notch. Or still nothing will beat Stowe around Columbus Day this year?
I will be in Rutland. I have been to Stowe and have done Rt 100 several times. Very scenic but I am afraid it will be a zoo that weekend. By the time I get to area north of Stowe it will be time to drive back. If these areas you just suggested are closer to Rutland and less crowded, maybe we should take pictures there.

[jeffox]

Thanks to all who responded with suggestions. I will get out my DeLorme Vermont book and locate these places. Thanks also for the book suggestion.
--Jeff

[pwt54]

The Tunbridge area is not as colorful as Stowe because there are more Oak trees than Maples. But if you add the covered bridges, scenery, views to the color that is there it's a great place to visit. The Groton/Peacham area will be as good or better than Stowe. Peacham will itself will be crowded, but if you travel all of the back roads around there and Barnet or Cabot you will have fun.

[Andy]

OOPS, re: my message above, Peacham is SOUTHwest, not Northwest of St. Johnsbury.