Wow, nice shots. I seemed to have got up there not long after you - the sun had burned off all that fog, but the light was kinda flat.I still got some acceptable pics with a polarizer and a graduated neutral density filter (musts for late rising foliage peepers

). I wasnt sure about that gate so I got there a little later than I had originally intended. For folks who might be wondering, the gate was open at 8.30 am although that might change after Columbus day.
This might be common to Vermonters, but was a first for me. Up on the mountain in Bolton, I awoke to a clear, sunny day. I head on down to Rt 2 and I89 and about half way down the mountain...grey and gloomy fog..thick enough to eat with a spoon. So, I was on I89 during that fog and funky light which you captured in your Lake Groton photo. It looked awesome in some portions - opportunities for foliage through the mist photos. But I think stopping on the interstate to take pretty pictures would generally be frowned upon, so I looked but didnt shoot (unlike pwt who seems to have shot video through his windshield while driving!!). There was good color at Peacham Pond and although Groton State Forest seems to have mostly yellows and green, I finally got pics of some firecracker red leaves which were backlit by the sun. Mack's Mountain Rd still has lots of color and the leaves are hanging on. Rt 302 is erratic .. there is some good color in portions from the Rt 232 junction to Barre. Rt 14 in this area was closed. I drove Rt 25 to just beyond East Corinth and color seems to be increasing in this area...I was a little late to take good photos in this area.
The rangers at Rickers Pond and Osmore/Kettle Pond let me meander through for pics without taking my money. I think all over VT the Parks and Forest service folks do an awesome job, are knowledgeable and free with their information and are all round nice folks. I always feel a little sorry for some of them who get to be cooped up in those little huts on a good day like today, hoping someone will show up.