Should I Change my Fall Foliage Vacation Plans?

Mystery of peak fall foliage — The mystery of peak

This Fall Foliage question was written in 2012 and looking back it’s still mostly relevant.

Email question from a reader, after she read one of my reports (it could be a report from anybody)

Jeff, just got this, just read your new forecast. Interesting and encouraging. Do you think our dates still sound good

Vertical stowe church in fall colors — The last of the afternoon sun on the little church in Stowe VT. Visit this in my online Art Gallery.

Danville/NE Kingdom/Stowe –October 5, 6, 7
Jackson Village/White Mountains/Lakes Region – Oct. 8, 9, 10
Woodstock/Middle to Southern Green Mountains – Oct. 11, 12, 13
Bar Harbor/Maine Coast Drive- Oct. 14, 15, 16, 17 18

As always, your comments are welcomed!

Mary…

Well Mary, I think good advice is still good advice… 🙂 Basically, I said these are good locations because even if they are not PEAK when you are there, the peak will just be a short drive away. Also, these areas will only be a few days or a week away from being peak and that means VERY colorful.

The NEK (October 5, 6, 7) (Northeast Kingdom) of Vermont to Danville and down into Stowe should be colorful or near peak (based on average). We’ve been running a bit late in recent years and Danville and even Peacham Vermont should be very pretty. Stowe will be better the following week (10-13 of October). It does not mean don’t take a drive through Stowe and up Route 108 through Smuggler’s Notch (seen here). But be prepared to find slightly less dramatic displays of color, as I’m showing you in these photos.

I think Jackson New Hampshire ( Oct. 8, 9, 10 ) could be a little early for the New Hampshire fall colors, but if too early then you can travel up Route 16 maybe 8-12 miles into Pinkham Notch and Wildcat mountain (Look for their gondola ride) To find some great spots to view the New Hampshire Fall Foliage (Read this article here)

Woodstock Vermont ( Oct. 11, 12, 13 ) may be good and should still be good up to a week later (20th) but either way, if you drive 15-30 minutes north of Pomfret and Sleepy Hollow, or even head over to the Green Mountains of Vermont and then up (or down) Route 100, you’ll be very happy.

Autumn fall color over the Woodstock bridge — Foggy fall day at the Middle Bridge, Visit Woodstock Vermont’s covered bridge in this Art Gallery.

Again, the Maine coast ( Oct. 14, 15, 16, 17 18 ) will be hit or miss but it will be a short drive inland or maybe a short drive to Camden or go drive up to the top of Mount Battie. This shot is from 11 Oct in 2005. This was a WAY delayed color year so it’s a safe assumption that if this year is any good and near normal, the color could be near peak in Camden and the view from the top of Mount Battie could be awesome…

Early Fall Colors of Camden Maine. View in my Art Gallery.

But, as you see here, it’s not “Peak fall color”, this one is just so-so. What you do get is to enjoy this wonderful view with a little early fall color in a very scenic location in Camden Maine.

I want to emphasize that even if the color isn’t “PEAK”, the color will be there in differing amounts, and as you can see here, the views are well worth the visit.

Hell, if you don’t see a great view from Mount Battie… Head down into Camden and hit a restaurant on the waterfront in the late afternoon. Have a glass of wine, or beverage of your choice, and just kick back and enjoy the views. Need a place to stay? Read this article about the Norumbega Inn.

(Disclaimer) My views are just that, my views. If I’m wrong, please don’t come back and start crying that you didn’t find peak foliage. Well, in 2005 I didn’t see one day of peak (except in my backyard) and I live in New England!!!

So plan for alternatives and enjoy what you do find… (Foliageism) 🙂

Jeff Foliage Folger

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

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