After a long day driving up route 8/7 into Pownal (more on that in another post - the views into Williamstown are insane ) we drove from Bennington on route 9 east to Woodford. Woodford's town center lies at an elevation of 2,215 feet (675 m) above sea level, the highest of any town in the state of Vermont. As we ascended in elevation folks, clusters of reds, oranges, purple, gold and some peach colors were prominent on the hillsides on either side (north or south) of route 9. In bands no less! Brilliant! Not dull at all and the swamp maples did not disappoint! Bright as can be! I can safely say that it was at least 40% to 50% changed to 60% in many areas with some patchy spots in peak. I got so excited, I ate 3 cider donuts in rapid succession!
We just couldn't believe how fast things were moving, but remember, the elevation was quite high. So if you are on route 9 in Woodford, near Woodford State Park, Prospect Mountain (George Aiken Wilderness) and the vicinity of the old, closed Woodford General Store you will see high color! Especially on the north side at Big Pond where there seemed to be a lot of summer cottages. Searsburg was almost as strong but as we started our descent into the valley and Wilmington, the brilliance of the colors faded and dispursed and we entered early fall color but that was coming on strong as well. If the colors we saw today were any indication of what our 2019 foliage season will present, we are in for glory. 
Emerging colors in the high elevations were strong and vivid. If you want a taste of early peak/peak I think in the next week into the weekend the highlands of route 9 are a great start!!! Be sure to start from Benn town center going east. It just gets better and better!
What a glorious day in southern Vermont! And a blessed look at what we might expect and a prelude to my trip in a few days!
