More fun with dirt roads!

[ixl]

After having mixed success exploring Vermont last week, I am having a blast this week by taking advantage of my SUV to explore the dirt roads. There are many of them and if you pick the better ones they offer MUCH better views than most of the highways, which usually cling to the valleys (exception being the gap/notch roads).

My first hint: if you need to get from point A to point B and there is a road between them with "Hill" or "Mountain" in the name, try it. You will usually be pleased. I have been on so many of these the last two days I can't even remember them all.

Again, if you do this, be sure you can deal with a rough dirt road, and be sure you have an atlas and a decent sense of direction.

Here's another dirt road "tip du jour" for folks in the Peacham area. This is best done 1/2 hour from sunset on a clear day (as I just did!)

From Danville, take Bruce Badger Mem Highway north. It curves around clockwise. Turn left on McDowell Rd and follow it to Coles Pond Road. I think there is a cemetery at that corner. Then turn left on Coles Pond and follow it as it gains elevation quickly. When you see Fellows Road, pull over, and then turn around and look down the way you came. You can thank me later. --c

[scurtis623]

Thank you. I don't think we've been there before, we are going up to NEK tomorrow and will check it out. Going to go to Groton SP also after that great report from moderator.
Shirley

[dkramer]

You can also get to Coles Pond Road from the other side. Traveling Route 15 E into Walden, there is a sharp right turn to 15. At that turn is a left onto Noyestar Road. This road is mostly dirt and EVENTUALLY connects to Rte. 16 (not too far from Greensboro Bend if I'm not mistaken). Anyway, that's been a nice road for foliage in the past (not saying how it will look next weekend). There are a few rights off of that road (one to a nice waterfall). One of these roads to the right leads to Coles Pond Road (which will be a right off of this road. Hold on while I check Mapquest for the name...it looks like Greensboro Bend Road, but I believe it may be marked Orton Road. Anyway, this is a nice route into Coles Pond as well. Be aware that after passing the pond itself, the road gets quite rough indeed another mile or so past the pond. If you continue all the way to Rte. 16, make a right and go into Greensboro Bend where you can pick up the Stannard Mountain Road...quite pretty...again, though, PLEASE REFER TO VTers to see if this area has much color left. If it does, it is a good trip.

Daniel

[dkramer]

Clarification...Route 16 is at the end of Noyestar Road, not Coles Pond, which as Charles (ixl) has said, can be reached from the other side off of McDowell Rd.

Daniel

[pwt54]

Here's another tip. If you continue up McDowell to the Wheelock Road on the right and take that to the Tampico Road you come to the biggest, nastiest Corn maze in the State.

[ixl]

Good addition, Daniel. I should say that I actually DID do Coles Pond Road from the west side over the top to the east side. But the middle section is very rough, and a LONG drive, and the foliage up there is more "past peak" than any other area I have seen below 2,000 feet since I've been up here. So I wouldn't recommend it this time.

pwt: I actually did see that corn maze when I was racing around the side roads up here looking for a different vantage point at sunset. BTW, I sent you an email request a few hours ago that is somewhat time-sensitive.. not sure how often you check that so I thought I would mention it... if you do have a chance to respond. Yeah, I'm a pain, what can I say! --c