Route 14 and More Eastcentral Vermont

[pwt54]

Route 14 is an interesting ride with some good views and nice foliage. It runs along the White River up to the Jct. of route 107 in Royalton. The memorial to Joseph Smith, the founder of the Mormon Religion is off route 14 in Royalton. The drive for that it on the north side of the road. At the Jct. 107 is the Eaton Sugarhouse and it’s restaurant that open for breakfast and lunch. In East Bethel you will see a covered bridge on the left. In East Randolph you will find a covered bridge on the Hyde Road on the east side of the road and one on the Braley Road on the west side of the road. You will also see the Chelsea road on the east side of the road. This road is a paved secondary road that goes to route 110 and is a nice ride. Just north of East Brookfield is route 65 on the west side of the road. This road goes to Brookfield and the Floating Bridge. The road is paved up to the village where it turns to dirt for a few hundred feet. You can drive over the floating bridge if you wish, but try not to splash the fishermen. By the way, route 65 does continue west to route 12 but it is dirt all the way and can be bumpy. Route 14 from Williamstown to Barre is built up and not too scenic, but you may have to use it to get to other roads like route US 302 east and the other section of eastcentral Vermont. The other section of eastcentral Vermont is a wonderful area with places that have names that are magical to us Vermonters. Groton, Peacham, Barnet, Ryegate, Topsham, Wait’s River, Wells River, Post Mills Orange, Goose Green, and of course, Ticklenaked Pond. ( I’m not kidding!!) The main state routes are routes 302, 25 and 232. All of these roads are nice rides and great color. Route 232 through the Groton State Forest is a favorite of mine. The trees are young so you don’t have to strain your neck and the white birch trees really add to the fabulous colors. As you can see there are not many State routes here. There are a lot of paved secondary roads here, however. And they are great rides. There is one ride that uses a series of these secondary paved roads that starts in Danville and ends on route 113 in Vershire. I’ll start from Danville but I’ll try to set it up so you can start from Vershire also. Take route US 2 to the flashing yellow light and the village green on the south side. There are 3 roads in the green. You want the middle one, the Peacham Road. (the Brainerd Road next to it is a paved road to route US 5 in Barnet.) Drive the Peacham Road south through Peacham to Route US 302 in Groton where it’s name changes to the Minard Hill Road. Take route Us 302 west to the Powder Springs Road on the south side of the road near a church. Drive the Powder Springs Road to to route 25 in East Corinth where it’s name changes to Village Road. Take route 25 south or east about 2 ½ miles and look for the Chelsea Road on the south side of the road. Drive the Chelsea Road down through Goose Green (don’t blink) and to the Eagle Hollow Road and bear right to continue the Chelsea Road. Eagle Hollow Rd ends at route 113 also.) Drive along until you come to a sharp left curve and the Heath Road on the right. Drive the Heath Road ¼ mile and look at the old church while it’s still there. Go Back to the Chelsea road and finish it to route 113 in Vershire. Lots of views on this ride.

[cashelan]

And now how are the colors on route 14 and the roads mentioned

[pwt54]

Route 14 peaking now. The other areas should be peaking soon. I'll be down there on Sunday looking around.