The Falls on Island Meadow Brook

 If you're in search of a waterfall without the long hike in, where Island Meadow Brook empties into the Connecticut River may be a perfect outing for you. However, if you relish a reward at the end of a longer hike, then I encourage you to pick up the Green VAST trail that connects to the Vernon Rec trails. Either way, I think that you will agree that these falls are worth checking out. Before we get started, if you are the sort who loves a good back story to an area prior to visiting, I suggest that you read Volume five of The Vermont Historical Gazetteer, The Towns of Windham County, Vernon, 1861

A couple of notes before you go; though a short walk to the falls, some areas are steep and the ground is covered with loose leaves. Make certain that you have appropriate footwear prior to entering the area and I recommend trekking poles. This may not be the place to explore with small children. Additionally, this area is not posted (yet) so please respect it so that its owners keep it open. 

When traveling south on 142, just past Vernon Green is the north end of Stebbins Road on the left. On Stebbins Rd, look for the fire pond on your right with a small pull off. Directly across the road from the pond's damn is a worn path to the left of the ravine which leads to the falls. This path will give you a vantage point above the brook and falls. On the way back we walked along the brook.

A look down river from where the falls empty into it.

An Ideal location for a selfie with my daughter Helen

A steep narrow path perhaps made by fishermen goes down to the river. 

The river current and level varies depending on the hydroelectric plant's outflow from up river.

We first noticed these falls in August of 2020 while canoeing from the Vernon Damn towards Stebbins Island. On that day we lost our canoe when we capsized after being forced up onto a fallen cottonwood tree. Unfortunately, I also lost Wayne's cell phone and all of my pictures of the falls during that event. You can read about that adventure in Our Lifejackets Saved Us.  

We decided to descend the bank and walk along the brook's on the way back to Stebbins road. 

Eastern Hemlock is a major tree in south eastern VT and makes up much of the forested land here in Vernon.  I was alarmed to see the high level of infestation of  Hemlock Wooly Adelgid in this area. This insect kills Hemlock trees in four to six years by feeding on it's sap. Given that it has also been found in the Town Forest, I hope that Vernon has a plan to save our trees. 

Eastern Hemlock are the predominant tree around the falls.

I turned around to take a last look at the river and was surprised at how the view changed dramatically from viewing at brook level versus looking down on them from the top of the ravine.

A marker on the opposite bank

A leg bone from a deer

Deer hide

As I mentioned above, this area comes with noted history, some of which involves conflict between Native American's and the settlers here. This story begins in the Gazetteer with, "Aug 20, 1756 Capt Joseph Stebbins of Hinsdale (Now Vernon)... were harvesting wheat upon his farm" Abby Maria Hemenway author of The Gazetteer, also retells in the same paragraph, the finding of a Native American skeleton unearthed in this area.*

Weather you are looking for a pleasant place from which to view the river, a fishing spot, or perhaps interested in imagining the life of the indigenous people and settlers of Vernon, this nature find has something for everyone. -Norma Manning

Resources:

* Vermont Historical Gazetteer, Volume 5

VAST Trail Breakers Map 

Water Features In The Windham Region South Eastern VT (map)

NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation, Hemlock Wooly Adelgid

Entomology Today, Biological Control for Hemlock Wooly Adelgid