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Home » Foliage Articles » A Trip Through New Hampshire and Vermont

A Trip Through New Hampshire and Vermont

New England Fall Foliage Posted on by

(This was an article from September 26-27 2020, our day-trip year due to Covid)

How About Barns and Churches in Peak Fall Foliage?

I have never seen real peak colors in September till this year (2020). I know so many of you couldn’t make it up here. But me and all the other people who are, did their best to help you through this by sharing what we have found. I don’t know if it helped out or not. I know If I had to stay home and not go traveling I would be a wreck.

Lisa and I traveled 993 miles between Saturday and Sunday and we spent our time split between Vermont and New Hampshire. I want to thank all the Patrons who donate to keep Jeff on the road… If you’re going to help, Click here to keep Jeff on the road!

Day 1 – Saturday 26 Sept 2020 in New Hampshire and over to Vermont

I always love what the fog does to the fall colors so I wasn’t too worried about the fog as we headed up into New Hampshire and over into Vermont.

We got off of I-89 onto Route 110 and we spotted a two-cupola barn that we had to stop for. If I was lucky I could get it against the backdrop of fall colors. I was in luck as there was a hill next to the road that allowed me to get enough elevation to see the barn against the Vermont fall colors.

A Double Cupola Vermont Barn on Route 110 in Vermont. This beauty caught our attention and we had to stop

This barn was so interesting to find and I would love to explore this one and what they use it for. I found out that barns that are falling down, are not torn down because the farmer still gets a tax credit for having a farm barn, even if it’s not safe to go in.

Tunbridge Vermont

Tunbridge Vermont Church in the September fall colors

I’ve always tried to find some good views in Tunbridge and I have the book, Vermont Fall Scenics, by John Kaplan (click my Amazon affiliate link to get your own copy).

I’ve never been able to find the precise views that Mr. Kaplan documents. I think it’s mostly that the trees & bushes are changing since he wrote it years ago.

But I followed his directions and drove up next to the cemetery which is one of his locations to set up. So I was close when I found this shot of the Tunbridge Vermont Church.

Topsham Vermont

We continued up into Topsham, and the colors were bright and bold. Topsham is one of the many towns that make up the Northeast Kingdom.

Hillside full of fall colors
Topsham Vermont hills of fall colors

The only problem I had was that there are no places to pull over on many roads. I pulled over to get this image above and got out of the car. A driver came by beeping his horn. Yes, he did have plenty of room, and no I was not completely off the road surface.

Lisa agreed with the driver and said I shouldn’t have stopped. We got to a general store down the road and went in, and the guy who beeped me was telling the storekeeper about the F***ing Leaf Peeper stopping on the road…

The proprietor apologized about the guy being loud, and I said, “That’s ok, my wife agreed with him because I was that guy…” 🙂

I would suggest, don’t be that guy…!

Groton State Park

We were getting short on time so we proceeded through Groton State Forest on Route 232, also known as State Forest Road, but stopped at the Lake Groton Overlook. One thing I’ve been noticing is that several overlooks where you are supposed to have these wonderful scenic views don’t, anymore.

Lake Groton Overlook on an Autumn dayDrone view of Lake Groton in Groton State Park

We stopped at the scenic overlook and it was obscured. Further down the road, I launched my drone. This is why I fly my drone so I can have the scenic views revealed…

St Albans Vermont

This days telling ends in St Albans. We stopped in at Hudak’s Farm Stand in Swanton Vermont. If you look for Hudak’s, it is right on the St Albans/Swanton border on Route 7.

Hudak’s Farm stand in September with pumpkins and goodies of all types.

We said hello to family, and drove home to Salem logging 553 miles in total for the day. The funny part was that we were heading back north in the morning. I want to thank all my Patron who contribute to keeping Jeff on the road. Without all of you contributing it would be a lot harder to make all these trips.

Sunday 27 Sept New Hampshire into Vermont and Back Again

Yup, almost the same thing but don’t worry, it’s almost impossible to duplicate trips. We started in New Hampshire on I-93 in light fog but instead of hitting I-89, we went straight up I-93 to Franconia Notch. All of my photographer friends were saying it was peak and they weren’t kidding.

Heaven’s Bench

After driving 500+ miles the day before we also got here a bit later. I’m going to cover Heaven’s Bench in more detail in another article and I put a video of it up on my Instagram channel and by clicking here you can go to my Instagram and watch it. (let me know if it works)

Heaven's Bench in Burke Vermont in Autumn.
Heaven’s Bench in Burke Vermont, View in my gallery

After leaving there we dropped down into Burke and grabbed a sandwich at the Northeast Kingdom Country Store on 114, and we will have an article in our General Store section about them in the future as they are a very nice full-featured general store.

Granby Road from Burke to Guildhall

We left Burke on Route 114 and picked up Granby Rd heading east to Guildhall. I’ve been on Granby Road many times over the years, and this was the first time to see it fully (95%) at peak. I shot some video of it and I may add some highlights of that later.

The Granby Vermont farm road is a long winding road that takes you from Burke Vermont through Victory Vermont, Granby Vermont, and over to Guildhall Vermont. The fall colors were beyond belief this year.

The whole length of the road from Burke to Granby was in glorious fall colors until we got close to Guildhall. I suspect that the drought is worse in that area. When we go to the end of the Granby Road, I saw the Guildhall Gristmill and it looks like the owner has cleared much of the brush around the gristmill so you can see it again. See my images of the Gristmill here and if you like puzzles, check this!

Stark New Hampshire

We crossed back over into New Hampshire. I wanted to go up to Stark New Hampshire and see if they had changed out their “Welcome to Stark” signs. They recently bought one of my images to represent the town, but the new signs haven’t gone up yet. So we stopped for a few minutes anyway, and I took a few images.

Stark covered bridge in autumn
As you approach the Stark covered bridge, you can’t help but be struck by the vivid display of autumn colors all around. The trees lining the winding road leading up to the bridge are ablaze with fiery hues of red, orange, and yellow, a stunning contrast against the deep blue sky.

Ending on the Kancamagus

We left Stark and headed south on Route 3 passing Lancaster New Hampshire and Jumping on I-93 with the goal of seeing what the Kancamagus looks like. Remember what my rule is about the Kanc? Never take it on the Weekend… Well, my advice has not changed.

Kancamagus highway during the Columbus Day Weekend
Kancamagus Highway during the Columbus Day Weekend

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.

Comments

A Trip Through New Hampshire and Vermont — 44 Comments

  3. Thank you for all of this -the beautiful pictures and the video. It does help when we can’t be there this year. Your efforts in sharing the beauty you are seeing is so appreciated. Be safe in your travels !

    Reply ↓

  4. Thank you for all of this -the beautiful pictures and the video. It does help when we can’t be there this year. Your efforts in sharing the beauty you are seeing is so appreciated. Be safe in your travels !

    Reply ↓

  7. Keep that rain at bay. I’m heading to VT in a week. Last time I was there, the inland “I” hurricane dessimated VT roads and foliage. I vowed to return…so here I come!

    Reply ↓

  8. Keep that rain at bay. I’m heading to VT in a week. Last time I was there, the inland “I” hurricane dessimated VT roads and foliage. I vowed to return…so here I come!

    Reply ↓

  9. Headed to North Conway for a week between the 11th at the 18th of next month. Sorry it peaked a week and a half sooner than I thought it was, but that’s New England weather for you . Still going and bringing cameras, they will probably be plenty of leaves left on the trees.

    Reply ↓

    • Conway has always come late to the party so peak will be somewhere between this coming weekend and the next. So you won’t be too far off. And there is the lakes region… I went through Eaton NH and there was low color on Sunday… so Its only peak up North…

      Reply ↓

  10. Headed to North Conway for a week between the 11th at the 18th of next month. Sorry it peaked a week and a half sooner than I thought it was, but that’s New England weather for you . Still going and bringing cameras, they will probably be plenty of leaves left on the trees.

    Reply ↓

    • Conway has always come late to the party so peak will be somewhere between this coming weekend and the next. So you won’t be too far off. And there is the lakes region… I went through Eaton NH and there was low color on Sunday… so Its only peak up North…

      Reply ↓

  13. Hi, Jeff — Thank you so very much for your posts and pictures. I really look forward to seeing what you share. I, and many others, very much appreciate your bringing us pieces of the New England autumn. There is no equal anywhere to autumn in New England. Thank you and stay safe.

    Reply ↓

    • I have to balance my fulltime job, meaning I work today (booo), off on Wed (yaaa), but raining, (booo) then back to work Thu-Sat (BIG BOOO) then off for, well you get the idea… 🙂 It’s a labor of love in what I do… I hope to God that “this” is done with next year because I need to have places to stay up North so I don’t have to tramp up to the colors and back 993 miles in a weekend, no matter how much I enjoy the colors is rough… I’m not getting any younger. 🙂

      Reply ↓

  14. Hi, Jeff — Thank you so very much for your posts and pictures. I really look forward to seeing what you share. I, and many others, very much appreciate your bringing us pieces of the New England autumn. There is no equal anywhere to autumn in New England. Thank you and stay safe.

    Reply ↓

    • I have to balance my fulltime job, meaning I work today (booo), off on Wed (yaaa), but raining, (booo) then back to work Thu-Sat (BIG BOOO) then off for, well you get the idea… 🙂 It’s a labor of love in what I do… I hope to God that “this” is done with next year because I need to have places to stay up North so I don’t have to tramp up to the colors and back 993 miles in a weekend, no matter how much I enjoy the colors is rough… I’m not getting any younger. 🙂

      Reply ↓

  15. Jeff, am in North Conway this morning. I want to stop somewhere for a few nights and explore area from there. Any suggestion where to set down a few days? Will be exploring kanc today. Thinking of staying nh or Maine. I have two weeks to do New England. Love your blogging!

    Reply ↓

    • Well, Maine may not let you. The Kanc should be beautiful today and explore Crawford Notch and over on Route 110 and 110b near Milan. Find your way to the Milan firetower in Milan state park. (easy drive to it and 3 stories climb up. Maybe a drive up 16 to Errol and over to Maine and Screw Auger falls (although not much flow right now…) Or over to Vermont Groton State park and the view from the top of Owls Head Mountain of the kettle pond, should be awesome… I hope this helps

      Reply ↓

  16. Jeff, am in North Conway this morning. I want to stop somewhere for a few nights and explore area from there. Any suggestion where to set down a few days? Will be exploring kanc today. Thinking of staying nh or Maine. I have two weeks to do New England. Love your blogging!

    Reply ↓

    • Well, Maine may not let you. The Kanc should be beautiful today and explore Crawford Notch and over on Route 110 and 110b near Milan. Find your way to the Milan firetower in Milan state park. (easy drive to it and 3 stories climb up. Maybe a drive up 16 to Errol and over to Maine and Screw Auger falls (although not much flow right now…) Or over to Vermont Groton State park and the view from the top of Owls Head Mountain of the kettle pond, should be awesome… I hope this helps

      Reply ↓

    • That is a great drive in any season and the only downside is that things are cooling off through next Monday so you will have highs in the 60s (very seasonal) and hopefully clear skies. Enjoy the drive…

      Reply ↓

    • That is a great drive in any season and the only downside is that things are cooling off through next Monday so you will have highs in the 60s (very seasonal) and hopefully clear skies. Enjoy the drive…

      Reply ↓

  21. Jeff, I just discovered this website/blog and I am fascinated with your work and dedication to the foliage craft here! I moved to Boston two years ago and immediately fell in love with the foliage season. My wife and I like to explore New Engalnd this time of year but to be honest we don’t know much about the best places to go. Your site and posts are EXTREMELY helpful!!

    We are looking to do a 2 day, 1 night trip this Saturday and Sunday from Boston. What would you recommend as the best area(s) to visit this weekend for peak New England foliage and scenery? We very much look forward to your feedback. Thank you for what you do!!

    Alex

    Reply ↓

    • You will find some fall colors up in the White Mountains or the northern areas of Vermont but the was a lot of leaf loss and those northern areas are pretty much done for this year… it doesn’t mean don’t go to Stowe or Peacham or Stark or Milan but be aware the peak color won’t fully be there….

      That said central areas of NH/VT/ME after the next few days of cool to cold evening temps and we should see good (not great) but good fall colors developing…

      Reply ↓

  22. Jeff, I just discovered this website/blog and I am fascinated with your work and dedication to the foliage craft here! I moved to Boston two years ago and immediately fell in love with the foliage season. My wife and I like to explore New Engalnd this time of year but to be honest we don’t know much about the best places to go. Your site and posts are EXTREMELY helpful!!

    We are looking to do a 2 day, 1 night trip this Saturday and Sunday from Boston. What would you recommend as the best area(s) to visit this weekend for peak New England foliage and scenery? We very much look forward to your feedback. Thank you for what you do!!

    Alex

    Reply ↓

    • You will find some fall colors up in the White Mountains or the northern areas of Vermont but the was a lot of leaf loss and those northern areas are pretty much done for this year… it doesn’t mean don’t go to Stowe or Peacham or Stark or Milan but be aware the peak color won’t fully be there….

      That said central areas of NH/VT/ME after the next few days of cool to cold evening temps and we should see good (not great) but good fall colors developing…

      Reply ↓

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