In Search of Peak Fall Foliage

Is Peak the Reason for the Season?

Lucy wrote to me asking about her bus tour itinerary. Now, whether you like guided tours or not this is more about getting the most fun, relaxation, and fall colors out of your vacation.

a single scarlet maple along Route 2A in Bedford Mass on 29 Sept 2012. One tree is bright red and the ones next to it are bright green... — Along Route 2A in Bedford Mass on 29 Sept

Her dates are 1-8 Oct and starts in Boston, going west to the Berkshires in Massachusetts, up into Vermont heading to Stowe, over to North Conway New Hampshire, and then back down the coast to Portsmouth New Hampshire and Rockport Massachusetts, and then Boston and home.

Her main concerns are: “I’m having second thoughts about finding peak on an insight foliage tour.” She also says, “I know 8-10th is what you call the sweet spot, but perhaps Oct.3-6th is not too early for the peak in that part of New England.“

And Finally “With your delay prediction, and the spring drought, should I postpone this trip for next year? I would only get one chance at a New England vacation. I hear the first week is best for this area (under normal conditions). What do you think“

I love the high points on her itinerary

(In orange, I’ve added dates for what I think is usually good for each point on her trip.)

Berkshires in Massachusetts (5-10 Oct due to elevation)
Stowe Vermont (2-12 October)
North Conway New Hampshire (7-14 October)
Billings Farm, Woodstock, and Quechee Gorge in Vermont (6-13 October)
Stay at the Trap Family Lodge in Vermont (2-12 October)
Crawford Notch, Silver Cascade in New Hampshire (1-8 October)
Bretton Woods New Hampshire (1-8 October)
Franconia Notch with an aerial tramway in New Hampshire (1-8 October)
Kancamagus Highway in New Hampshire (1-10 October)
Portsmouth New Hampshire (15-25 October)
Rockport (15-25 October)

First

Please keep in mind if this does turn into a slow burn year then add another 2-4 or so days to these dates. With dates of 1-8 Oct, I think you will hit most places with a reasonable expectation of seeing good fall colors.

Now, Lucy was looking at a previous year’s forecast and not my current year’s update! So the drought doesn’t apply to this year.

Also, if you have read my blogs for a while, you know I always state “you might miss peak,” but as the image above taken on 29 Sept shows, “you are very likely to see some individual trees in incredible color”! That one tree was around two weeks early!

Second

I think everybody needs to read the articles on planning your trip to aid in making their plans. They are listed on the drop-down menu.

This means you can concentrate on what you really want to know! (I also have a page with each state listed and the articles that detail some of that particular state’s best locations. Most have directions and dates!

Third

Third and final (for the moment) Nothing I write is written stone! (it’s more like jello… 🙂 I want you to forget one thing, FORGET That YOU EVER HEARD OF PEAK FALL FOLIAGE!

Why you may ask? Because, if I never left home until I was sure I’d find Peak color, I’d never leave home! Instead, I want you to focus on having a good time because that is the reason for taking the trip, I guarantee you will see lots of fall colors, sometimes there will be lots and sometimes there will be only a little but you will see it.

Also, when I say The Kancamagus “might be,” or may not be at peak fall colors, or it may be later than you are arriving, it is because MY standards are higher than most autumn leaf peepers, and IF I’m not happy! You, on the other hand, may be thrilled.

As a case in point! Lucy asks” if she will see any color on 4 October when they cross the Kancamagus Highway?” I’ll answer this will two videos of the Kancamagus from 2012 and 2013. Both were taken on 2 October in their respective years.

Remember both videos were recorded on 2 October, and while I may say this isn’t peak… I think you will agree that it would make your trip worthwhile.

These are both views from the western side of the Kanc (the side closer to Lincoln NH). When you go over the top of the Kanc, and start to descend down the Eastern side, there was much less color and that is the way of it.

Sun peeking through on Vermont's hills — Sun peeking through on Vermont’s hills

You may hear the declaration that Peak has arrived in New Hampshire or Vermont (wherever). The reality is not simply throwing a blanket over the entire region in one toss, and declaring New Hampshire is at Peak Fall Foliage!

WHEN the fall colors show up, It’s more like taking paintbrushes full of orange, red, and yellow paint and splattering the paint on a green wall and saying the splatters are where the fall colors will be today and each day you throw a bit more orange, red, and yellow fall colored paint on the wall. That is closer to the reality of the arrival of the fall colors. When the wall is covered completely you are now at peak. Some years it happens fast and some years more slowly.

Jeff Foliage Folger

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

Visit my Amazon affiliate store for items that Lisa and I have curated for you. These items are either New England-made or things we think will make your fall foliage trip more successful.