1. Brandon Gap is an east-west excursion along State Route 73 from Rochester to Brandon. Located just east of Brandon Gap is Mt. Horrid Observation Site. This site, at the base of 800 foot Mt. Horrid Cliff, overlooks a large beaver pond.

2. Bingo Road (Forest Road 42) is 4.5 miles west of Rochester off Route 73. This road meanders along a mountain stream and offers a variety of opportunities to stop and enjoy nature.

3. Robert Frost Memorial Drive extends from East Middlebury to Hancock, via Middlebury Gap, on State Route 125. This route allows the motorist to savor the unique natural beauty that was the inspiration for some of Robert Frost's poetry. On the west side of Middlebury Gap is the Robert Frost Wayside and Interpretive trail.

4. Texas Falls Recreation Area is on the east side of Middlebury Gap.

5. White River Road (Forest Road 55) is in Granville, off State Route 100. This road wanders along the White River headwaters. Old fields offer scenic views and picnic sites.

6. Kelley Stand Road runs east and west from Arlington to West Wardsboro. There are several vistas of beaver ponds and mountains. Other attractions accessed from this road include Roaring Brook, Branch Pond, Beebe Pond, Appalachian Trail/Long Trail, Daniel Webster Site and Grout Pond.

7. Danby Road (Forest Road 10) goes east from Mt. Tabor over the Green Mountains to the Peru/Londonderry area. There are several vistas and picnic sites along this road built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s.

8. State Route 9 is a scenic drive between Bennington and Wilmington, bordered on both sides by National Forest. Red Mill Campground, Woodford State Park, and Somerset Reservoir are easily accessed from this road.

9. Somerset Road (Forest Road 77) provides access to Somerset Reservoir from State Route 9. It meanders along the Deerfield River passing a primitive camping area. Several side roads lead to good fishing and wading streams. This road connects with Forest Road 71 leading north to Kelley Stand Road.

FALL FOLIAGE

Beginning late in September and continuing throughout October, Vermont's forests explode in a sea of vibrant color as the leaves of deciduous trees lose their chlorophyll in preparation for the coming winter.

The first foliage report is not documented. It may have occurred when an Algonquin Shaman asked the spirits why, as summer ended, green leaves changed to red and yellow, purple and gold. The real answer might have forever remained a medicine man's reply from the spirits. In time, however, science discovered the mechanism behind the spirits' magic: photosynthesis and chlorophyll.

Chlorophyll is a green plant pigment. Photosynthesis is a process wherein cells with chlorophyll use the energy of light to synthesize carbohydrates from carbon dioxide and water, which makes plants grow. As fall begins, daylight hours decline, reducing available fuel for photosynthesis. Chlorophyll in the leaves tails off. Green is no longer the dominate color, and the other leaf pigments begin to predominate. In some tree species, carotenoid pigments remain abundant. Those leaves turn yellow or yellowish. If tannins are present, as in beeches and aspens, the leaf may be bright gold or yellow. In other species, especially oaks and maples, a substance called phloem becomes inactive, while photosynthesis is still going on, and sugars accumulate. This circumstance is associated with the red or purplish pigments.

This colorful autumn vision of oaks, maples, beeches, apple trees, ash, cherry and other hardwoods, against a background spiced with evergreen softwoods, was there all along, but chlorophyll green predominated, suppressing it.

Visit the Green Mountain National Forest by car or footpath. Although autumn foliage is better in some years than in others, nature seldom disappoints.

Move on to Green Mountain National Forest Index

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