Peak color in mid-late October? Head to the coast

Below are a couple of the rules for finding late October “peak” fall foliage:

Remember Fall color travels from North to South
Higher elevation to lower elevation (except swamp maples that are stressed will turn early also)
Really good fall color can be found in October along the coastline in late October
Looking for fall color? Go find a pond. (Birch Pond)

Based on my rules above, even if you start your search for peak fall foliage in late October, you should still be able to find good fall images. The date of the following images is 26 October. Depending on the year, 15 to 30 October should work.

birch pond in lynn massachusetts — birch pond in Lynn Massachusetts shot on a cloudy morning. View in my gallery

Birch Pond location

If you look at the map below you will see that Birch Pond is on the western border of Lynn Woods. Birch Pond is almost a mile long and averages 300 to 400 feet in width.

It’s a little difficult to find parking nearby so I will say Birch Pond has *limited access*. I found that I was able to park on Birchwood Avenue and walk across the street to get up close and personal with the pond.

If you are new to leaf peeping in New England explore my leaf peeping guide to get started right.

I’m not sure what the rules on kayaks are in Birch Pond, but I think if you check with the Lynn Woods Park Rangers you can get clarification on both access and permits.

I shot most of these images right around 9:30 AM and I think it would also look pretty good in the late afternoon with the sun coming in the other direction. If you cross over the guard rail across from Birchwood Avenue, you’ll find a path that runs along the northern edge of the pond. I don’t know if it’ll take you all the way around, and maybe someday I’ll find out.

Even on a gray morning such as this, the sun was starting to peek out a little and highlight some of the features of the pond. I highly suggest a polarizing filter for your camera.

Painted Rock at Birch Pond, Lynn Massachusetts. Purchase at Vistaphotography.com.

The lat/long location for this pond is 42.47944, -71.00235 and if you look in your DeLorme Gazetteer map book, you’ll find Birch Pond on page 41. (At least in my edition)

You’ll also notice that if you follow Birchwood Avenue west to Central Street, then follow it south for about a mile you’ll come to the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site. I photographed there later this same morning.

If you’re going to be doing a late October run for the color, be sure to follow my blog and my Twitter feed, and if you have questions fire away.

Jeff Foliage Folger

Autumn is a state of mind more than a time of year – Jeff Foliage

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