NORTHWEST VERMONT

Bakersfield – East Fairfield

Since Andy called Bakersfield/East Fairfield home for a number of years, it makes sense to use the village of Bakersfield as the starting point for this part of Vermont.

Andy’s Notes: I called Bakersfield home for many years. The two Doane farms are in the Village of Bakersfield, and on Route 108 about 2 miles South of the Village. There countless back roads in Vermont and the area around Bakersfield and East Fairfield is no exception. There is plenty of opportunity to explore and photograph here.

Farm – East Fairfield – Andy Richards 2010

Directions: The image here is one Andy made on a back road between the Doane Farm and the Village of East Fairfield, one morning. Continue west on Lost Nation Road (instead of turning south on Taylor Road). At the intersection of Gravel Pit Road (to the north), the road changes to “BT” Road. Stay on this road, continuing west to where BT Road ends at the intersection of Lapland Road. Turn southwest (left) on Lapland Road and follow it to the next intersection. Turn southeast on Lapland Extension and you will shortly see this old barn on your right. You can park on the road (these roads are mainly gravel and not highly traveled).

Andy’s Notes: It is not unusual to find old barns on these back roads. Keep a sharp eye out and you will see scenes all around you. In a prior year, I found two old draft horses in a pasture very near this barn.

Sheldon

Sheldon Cemetery

GPS: N44°53’12”; W72°56’56” (Afternoon)

Sheldon Cemetery – Andy Richards 2010

Directions: If you continue north on Lapland Road, you will eventually cross Vermont 36 at the Village of East Fairfield. From East Fairfield, drive west until you reach Fairfield Center (this can also be reached directly from St. Albans to the west or Bakersfield to the east). From the Village of Fairfield Center, North Road connects Fairfield to Sheldon. Follow North Road (naturally – north) to the Village of Sheldon, where the road turns into Main Street. To get to the cemetery, stay on North Road (Main Street) and about ¼ mile past the Town Clerk Office, take Sheldon Woods Drive to the west. In a very short distance you will see the cemetery entrance. There are nice views to the south from there.

Andy’s Notes: There is a nice shot of a farm to the east in the distance from the Sheldon Cemetery, and shots of Mt. Mansfield to the south, in the background are also possible. I was there in late morning, and photographs are possible, but not ideal. It appears that the late afternoon sun would light the visible side of Mt. Mansfield nicely. North Road is a nice drive with some good farm views.

H.T. Doane Farm – Bakersfield – Andy Richards 2006

H.T. Doane Farm

GPS: N44°45’12”; W72°49’21” (Morning)

Directions: This farm is on Vermont 108, between the Lost Nation Road intersection and the Whitney Road intersection. Since 108 is a primary state road, if you are headed to Bakersfield and points north from Jeffersonville, you must pass this farm. Coming south heading toward Jeffersonville or Stowe, it is about 2 miles south of the center of Bakersfield.

Andy’s Notes: On the roughly 400 acres owned by the Doane Family (Sunday Brook Farm), is a mountain woodlot where they make arguably the best maple syrup in the world (Sunday Brook Maple Products – note: it is mismarked on Google Maps and is a mile or so north of the map note) as part of their farming operation. There is a nice brook which runs through the woodlot with several small but impressive falls. If you want to photograph the area, they are a friendly family and would be glad to let you photograph if you ask. Please be aware not to damage crop and hayfields, staying on paths and near fence lines is appreciated. And ask about their maple syrup. If they have it on hand, they will be glad to sell you some!

Jordan (Doane) Farm – Andy Richards – 2010

Jordan Farm

GPS: N44°44’32”; W72°49’38” (Morning / Afternoon)

This farmstead image is of a “second” farm owned by the Doane Family, south of Bakersfield (the “Jordan farm”). 3.3 miles South of Bakersfield on Route 108, Jordan Road is a small narrow gravel service road to the right. Jordan Road continues on past this farmstead and rejoins 108 at the farmstead. This is a south-facing shot and could be lit both in the morning or afternoon.

The Waterville Mountain Road

There is also a nice back road between Bakersfield and Waterville.

Directions: At the intersection of Route 108 and Route 36 in Bakersfield, turn east (away from Route 36) and follow the road up the hill just one mile and then turn right (south) onto the Waterville Mountain Road.

Andy’s Notes: This is an unimproved gravel road (which may be impassable at times in the winter), but it is worth the trip up and over “Kings Hill Mountain” and back down into Waterville.

Waterville Mountain Road – Andy Richards 2006

Waterville

Montgomery Covered Bridge

GPS: N44°41’38”; W72°46’2” (Morning)

Directions: About 8 miles south of Bakersfield on Route 108, Route 109 begins and goes east to Waterville, Belvidere, and Eden. There is a pond in Belvidere, with an afternoon reflection possibility. In Eden, there is Lake Eden, and some nice back roads. The Montgomery Bridge is one of 3 in Waterville, but in our opinion, the most photogenic of them. Drive on 109 through the village, past the Nazarene Church on the right and on past the Post Office on the left. You will pass Burt Road on the left. Continue on and just as you leave the village, you will see the road to the bridge on the right. Depending on foliage it may not be readily visible from the road, but it is very close. Turn right onto the road and go on through the bridge to the other side. There is a small wide spot in the road where you should be able to find a spot to park. You can shoot from the road as I have, and clamber down (carefully) to the water and shoot it from the river.

Andy’s Notes: Ironically, this bridge is miles away from Montgomery and Montgomery Center, each with their own series of bridges. But this Waterville bridge is called “Montgomery Bridge.” There are a great series of covered bridges in Vermont, many in the Montgomery area, some in the southern part of the state, and several in Waterville. If you are interested in covered bridges, I suggest you “Google” Vermont Covered Bridges and you will find Covered Bridge maps and other resources. We do not cover Vermont covered bridges in detail, but will illustrate some of our favorites, including this bridge in Waterville, which you may recognize as the background photo for my LightCentric logo image.

Montgomery Covered Bridge (Waterville) – Andy Richards 2005

Hogback Road

GPS (at Route 109): N44°40’58”; W72°46’17”; (at Route 15): N44°38’36”; W72°42’39”; (photo location): N44°39’1”; W72°43’32”

Hogback Road – Andy Richards 2006

Directions: This paved back road runs southeast along the Lamoille River from Route 109 (just southwest of Waterville) to Route 15 (just west of Johnson) and is a beautiful drive, with some great views along the river

Andy’s Notes: Because of the terrain, colorful foliage is harder to find here and timing is important. I was too late the year I shot this image.

Fairfax

In this area, there are nice locations around Jeffersonville, Cambridge, Fairfax, and to the South, Underhill, which is best approached from the Pleasant Valley Road.

McNall Farm

GPS: N44°39’20”; W72°1’25” (Afternoon)

Directions: From Route 15 just west of the Village of Cambridge, turn onto Route 104 west (“Main Street”). Take 104 about 6 1/2 miles to where it joins Vermont Route 128 from the south (“Browns River Road” - Route 104 continues to the north to Fairfax). The shot is from the McNall Road which veers off of 104 just before Browns River Road (and then crosses it to the west), at the 6 1/2 mile mark. Take McNall Road up a short distance until you cross the Browns River, and you will see the McNall Farm up on the right. The shot of the village from above is to the right, just before you get to the farm.

Andy’s Notes: There is a high view of the Village of Fairfax (west from Cambridge on Route 104), that is growing marginal, as the scrub growth is beginning to obscure the view of the Village. It is probably worth a drive up McNall Road to see it, though.

Mayotte Farm

GPS: N44°44’13”; W72°55’41” (Morning)

Directions: There is another nice farm shot on Mayotte Road. To get there, take Pumpkin Harbor Road from route 15 in Cambridge, north to North Cambridge Road. When you get to Rushford Road, take it west to Fletcher Road, which turns into Fairfield Road. In West Fletcher, take Mayotte Road...