Stick Season: Exploring Bingham Falls and Smugglers Notch

Long exposure of all the cascades towards Bingham Falls in Smugglers Notch, Vermont.

The crowds are down and the air is crisp here in Stowe, Vermont. The Green mountains have already seen a dusting or two of snow, but nothing serious yet. It feels like winter is around the corner though. This is a great time to get outdoors, visit some waterfalls, and have these beautiful places all to yourself. Just a month ago, the crowds here were immense. Traffic was backed up for miles with all the leaf-peepers coming to see the forest ablaze with the colors of Fall. But now we have entered our 'stick season'.

This gave me an opportunity to fly my drone at a very popular waterfall, called Bingham Falls. This is access by a state forest trail off route 108 on the way from Stowe to Smugglers Notch. I had a few close encounters with my drone drifting close to nearby trees, but I think the shots I got were worth it.

I also made it up to the Barnes Camp boardwalk trail. This leads to a beautiful beaver pond with a view up into Smugglers Notch. The towering cliffs of the notch are always beautiful, even without all the Fall colors. Take a look and see for yourself.

All to myself at the falls.

Up above the falls, where the power of water is on full display, cutting a gorge through the rock.

Entering the trail from route 108.

Old cabin, now part of Smugglers Notch State Park.

Beginning of the the long trail North, from Smugglers Notch. You can take this all the way to the Canada border.

One of the cool rock formations in Smugglers Notch.

I was surprised to see this beaver home had been completely moved and remade up near Barnes Camp in Smugglers Notch.

Beaver pond in the Notch. The water level is now higher than I've ever seen it. The beavers have been busy altering the landscape and getting ready for winter.