CT,
I saw that website and that is some very interesting reading. I would love to be able to spend more time in Vermont and get to volunteer with some of these groups doing such good work to preserve Vermont.
I looked at some additional photos of the walkway around the store (that seems to be the best vantage point for photography but, please someone correct me if it is not) and there appears to be access from the parking lot that would not be governed by the store being open (the pictures I had seen previously seemed to portray that the access was only via the store).
I had also debated the fire tower at Mt. Olga but, ever picture seems to show dirty/foggy windows as the only views from the top.
The Great Cliff looks like a decent hike. It rises 600 ft over 0.7 miles for an effective 16% grade which isn't too bad. I am just hoping that the grade isn't misleading. I have a short hike in Ohio that I love but, its whole 200 feet of elevation rise are in the first 400 feet! The whole hike is 4 miles so, that wouldn't look bad if it was spread out but, it definitely is not. Hope that The Great Cliff doesn't have all of its 600 feet rise right at the beginning. Especially as I might be driving straight there and hiking up before sunrise. Trying to do a steep grade after 10 hours in the car maybe not be one of my better ideas.
I do believe I have that book but, I need to go check the Vermont section of my books at home and make sure. If not, I will have to pick it up.
I plan to drive up and go straight to The Great Cliff and be at the cliff for daybreak. Shoot until light gets too harsh or until I feel like I have the shots I want. Hike back down and check the Mount Horrid (who names these things?) overlook which has a beaver pond and "The beaver pond is a good place to search for wildlife, such as moose and beaver..." (
https://fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MEDIA/ ... 315856.pdf)
I wouldn't mind starting off the Vermont trip with a moose sighting in a non-collision experience.
I plan to drive to Stratton (my base this time) on a circuitous route via 100 and the Stratton Arlington/Kelly Stand Road (scouting for locations) with a stop at the Chiselville Bridge.
After that I will try to get some food and check in at Stratton (dump cards, charge batteries, wash the road grime off, etc...)
If I am running late, I will shift to Equinox Pond and, if very late, the Old First Church for my first day morning shoots.
I am doing three days and they will all be mid-week so, I will probably have to wait to catch up with all of you next time.
With two little ones, it is much easier for my wife if I am gone during the week, rather than the weekend. I am bring the whole family with me next year and staying for a week or more so, I will have more than enough days to join all of you for a shoot or two!
My planned shoots are (and please, all of you, give input on any or all of these):
Old First Church
Equinox Pond
Hogback Mountain
Lye Brook Falls
Hamilton Falls/West River
Stratton Pond/Fire Tower
And whatever I see on mid-day drives around my beloved Southern Vermont.
Vermont's trees are lush and healthy and the canopies full! Maybe Charles or someone familiar with the route 9 topography can clue me in as to why the color emergence decreased after we reached the midpoint in Wilmington? Perhaps an elevation change heading east on 9? 
