As autumn moves forward, the three mountains at Smuggs are beginning to reveal a life beyond a dream. The canopy that once felt endless and uniform is now alive with ruby waves of maple, birch, and beech, creating a divided sky between the deep blue above and the fiery stash on the slopes. This year, the dry weather has pushed the season along quicker than usual, and the mountains in the mist are glowing limb by limb as the colors come on strong. It feels as if everything’s right for those who love the outdoors, though the pace of change reminds us that nothing remains simple for long.
Walking along the wire road, one cannot help but notice how the leaves shimmer in the low afternoon light. Each step along the path is a reminder of free moments, a chance to set your soul free. The palette this year ranges from golden horn yellow to burning fuego orange, with bursts of deep scarlet that sparkle like a theme from the bottom of a painter’s brush.
Our hillsides are already closer to peak than in years past. From the wedge of Sterling Mountain to the farmhouse fields below, the forests seem to twist with intensity. Sand and dirt crunch underfoot where rain might normally soften the sound, and the scents and subtle sounds of autumn are sharper in the dry air. This quickening of color will punch you in the eye and completely fill your loving cup.
Birds of a Feather gather above the forests, their calls mixing with the rustle of branches, as though nature itself is running through a setlist. The colors blaze on across the ridgeline, even as the season feels about to run faster than usual, there is a balance, a mercury shimmer in the light that slows you down. Standing still beneath the canopy, the joy comes clear and contact with this cycle is the thread that ties the community together.
On the quiet Lamoille Valley Rail Trail, one might pause by the river, where steam rises like a ghost against the cool dawn. The colors reflect in the water, and a modest glance captures the essence of what is happening: a landscape in motion, a split open and melt into brilliance. Like a maze of trails weaving through the forest, the season challenges us to keep up, to notice, and to taste the fleeting brilliance while it lasts. The landscape itself becomes a sample in a jar, preserved in memory even as it changes by the hour.
As the foliage nears its crescendo, it reminds us to slow down, to waste no time. Whether you view the hills from the notch itself or take in the spectacle from the valley roads, the message is the same: now is the moment. Set your course, let go of the heavy things, don’t be a slave to the traffic light, and let the colors guide you to find love and light.
Weekend Weather
Friday – A 40 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 70. West wind 3 to 6 mph. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Friday Night – Partly cloudy, with a low around 50. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Saturday – Sunny, with a high near 69. Calm wind.
Saturday Night – Partly cloudy, with a low around 53. Light southeast wind.
Sunday – Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. Light and variable wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Sunday Night – Mostly clear, with a low around 56. Calm wind.
Upcoming Events
Wagon Rides
When: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm, September 26 – 28
Where: Larry’s Tree Farm, 368 Route 108 South, Bakersfield VT
Wagon Ride Tours: Join us on Saturday or Sunday for a wagon ride tour of our beautiful farm, guided by an expert who will share the story of your tree’s life and how it brings Christmas magic to your home.
Shopping: Enjoy our 1850s barn filled with Christmas cheer, gifts, ornaments, and local artists and crafters’ products.
Grab a Snack: Enjoy cocoa or hot apple cider and a snack at our concession stand.
Take a Walk: Enjoy a short or maybe a bit longer walk on our mowed roads through the beautiful trees. Take a stroll on the cut path in the woods and enjoy the birds and animals that call our farm home.
Vermont Pumpkin Chuckin’ Festival
September 28, 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Stowe Events Field, 120 Weeks Hill Rd, Stowe, VT
Get Ready to Chuck Some Pumpkins!
Join us for a one-of-a-kind fall festival packed with pumpkin-flinging fun and friendly competition the whole family can enjoy! At the Vermont Pumpkin Chuckin’ Festival, teams of all ages design and build their trebuchets to see who can launch pumpkins the furthest. It’s all about creativity, teamwork, and that satisfying thunk of a pumpkin in flight! The day is filled with music, a lively chili cook-off, a cornhole tournament, kids’ activities, and even a volleyball tournament—making it a perfect way to celebrate autumn in Vermont. Cash, prizes, trophies, and serious bragging rights go to the top 3 teams in each of the 4 chuckin’ divisions, plus the best chili and cornhole competitors!
📲 Text Smuggs to 855-421-2279 for real-time alerts about weather updates, schedule changes, and more!
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