Brighton/ Island Pond and Lewis
aka – Lewis on Henshaw
7/23/25 and 9/17/2025
The ride is an out and back on Henshaw Road, on land owned by a lumber company and then crosses into the Silvio o. Conte Wildlife Refuge. As an out and back, we rode is over sixteen miles, but a person could just go on and on and on! We found out from some local bikers that this road continues for miles into federal land, wetland preserve and connects again to Route 105 at Lewis road next to the rail road crossing and other connection points along Route 105.
At the beginning, the terrain is very gentle, only a couple hundred vertical feet of climbing in 6 miles. At mile six the climbing begins, with
The road is VERY smooth gravel. Trees are the scenery, with a few log landings to break up the monotony.
We did not see any log trucks or logging equipment, it was a quiet time with beautiful weather when we were there, but there are signs advising that trucks have the right of way.
To actually get into Lewis on this ride, you have to turn right at mile 4.5 to veer down into the Silvio O. Conte Wildlife Refuge (and 4 Mile Road). It also sees a little bit of Lewis on the left fork as well, and we did both.
At one point we happened upon what I think is a brown fox. It was as surprised to see us as we were to see it, but it did allow us to take a few pictures before we parted ways.
Brighton State Park
In order to do this many rides in northeastern Vermont, we camped out at Brighton State Park, a real jewel of a park just outside Island Pond – an interesting town with a rich history as a railroad hub.
