“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.”
― Albert Camus
Autumn in Vermont
There’s a reason people visit Vermont in the autumn; so much so that people are literally bused in. Almost everywhere we went we saw bus loads of people filing on/off their charter bus. “Okay folks, 15 minutes and I’ll meet you on the other side of the bridge,” called out the bus driver and then said folks scurried off to take in what they could in their allotted 15 minutes. Not a very long time to take in something as spectacular as the Quechee Gorge, but there you go. Autumn in Vermont is big business. Autumn in Vermont is beautiful.
The Quechee Gorge overview from the bridge.
That’s not to say everywhere you go you feel surrounded by large groups. Even though Vermont is a relatively small state, there are still plenty of opportunities to get away from the maddening crowds.
The Quechee Gorge
With that being said though, on the day we stopped at Quechee Gorge, there were definitely busloads of people. We were on our way to Norwich, via Woodstock, when we noticed traffic had come to a crawl and lots of people were mingling. As we drove across the Quechee Bridge Abi said, “Oh Wow!” “We need to stop!” He was able to see from the passenger side what I could not. And, that my friends, is the very reason why I love me a road trip. You get to stop and take in the Oh Wow! moments.
The Quechee Bridge – our view from the Trail.
At 165′ deep and about 13,000 years old, the Quechee Gorge is the deepest gorge in Vermont and it’s known as Vermont’s Little Grand Canyon. And, it’s pretty darn gorgeous. Get it? Gorge… gorgeous. Ha! Anyway, it’s really something to see. You can stand on the bridge and look out over the gorge, or you can hike to the bottom which is exactly what we did.
Truthfully, there isn’t too much more to write about visiting the Quechee Gorge, but I wanted to share it with you because it’s definitely worth stopping for 15 minutes, as the bus people did, or maybe take about an hour to experience the gorge away from the crowds. Hike down the trail and then stand and look back at what Mother Nature created. You’ll be more than impressed and more than glad you did. Trust me.
Look back and up at the Quechee Bridge. See the bus people on the bridge?
If you go:
- The Quechee Gorge is located on Vermont Hwy 4
- The visitor’s center is at 5966 Woodstock Road, Quechee, VT
- Ample parking at the visitor’s center
- Campgrounds are in the Quechee State Park
- Dining and shopping in Quechee Village
- To learn more: Vermont State Parks
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Pretty. I want to do a New England trip soon.
So very pretty, I’m already plotting our return.
Ahhh beautiful. Gorgeous part of the world for sure.
Peta
Peta Kaplan recently posted…Sculpting our lives, building our Sri Lanka nest ~ part 3
Thanks, Peta. New England is a wonderful region of the US.
We loved that gorge too! Fortunately we didn’t run into too many crowds while we were there. We also loved having the freedom of our hire car. Vermont is so amazing, I wish I could transport myself back there for some fall splendor 🙂
Amy recently posted…We’re not Weird in Chiang Mai!
Agreed, Amy, Vermont is amazing. We did not spend nearly enough time and I’m already plotting a return visit. And, having a car is definitely the way to see all the sites of Vermont, especially the covered bridges!
A road trip is the best way to see things at your own pace, stopping for as long as you feel like. The gorgeous gorge looks…..well gorgeous Autumn is starting here in the UK and the leaves are starting to turn various shades of red, yellow, orange. It is a beautiful time of the year. I can only imagine what beautiful fall scenery you and Abi are being able to enjoy.
Gilda Baxter recently posted…A Weekend in East Devon and Our First Airbnb Experience
There are regions in the US where the autumn colors really shine, but probably the north east has some of the most spectacular color, by far.