When my older son turned 15 a few weeks ago, he asked to visit Vermont to see the fall foliage. Such a sophisticated request, and we were more than happy to oblige with a family weekend trip. I’d been to Vermont many times before, but never in the fall, so this would be a new experience for all of us.
Quechee Gorge
Our first day, we drove up and visited Quechee Gorge, sometimes called Vermont’s Little Grand Canyon, where the Ottauquechee River runs about 165 feet below the rim. A pair of hot-air balloons happened to drift over the ridge while we were there.
We visited Woodstock and the surrounding area and spent plenty of time in traffic with the hordes of people chasing the fall colors. We ended the day with a delicious farm-to-table dinner at Worthy Kitchen.
Stowe
The next day, we took Route 100 north towards Stowe Mountain Resort to ride the gondola. We arrived early enough to dodge most of the traffic and took the gondola up Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s highest peak.
Smugglers’ Notch
Smugglers’ Notch takes its name from the Vermonters who ran goods to and from Canada through the pass after the Embargo Act of 1807 cut off foreign trade.
Near Stowe Mountain Resort is the Barnes Camp Boardwalk, a lovely 600-foot walk that ends at a beaver dam on the West Branch Little River. The still water reflected the evergreens and golden mountains, with Smugglers’ Notch visible in the distance. The standing dead trees are the beavers’ work: their dam floods the low ground and drowns the trees.
We also took the Mount Mansfield Auto Toll Road for a different set of views from the top. Mansfield’s long summit ridge is said to resemble a face in profile, with a Forehead, Nose, and Chin, and the road tops out just below the Nose. To the north, we had impressive views of Smugglers’ Notch.
To the west, across the Champlain Valley, views of the Adirondack Mountains.
Route 100
On our third day, it was time to head home, and we continued south along Route 100. Fog was lifting off the quiet lakes, and the still water reflected the early light like a mirror. It made for a striking morning scene.
I’m grateful my son asked for this trip. It won’t be the last time we visit Vermont in the fall.