Greetings my fall foliage friends!

One of the first signals that summer is coming to an end and fall is on the way is the singing cicadae.  Their droning lullaby makes me think that summer’s end is approaching. There are other signals like the number of emails asking where will be the best fall colors. I usually tell them, the best colors are where you find them. Somehow that is not always the answer they are looking for. Also, My tiger lilies will drop the last flower head right around the last week in August. All of these are portents of that oh-so-brief season to come.

The goal of today’s article is to pick a few places that I feel are usually good and more to the point, “reliable” scenic locations for the fall colors on or around 3 October. So, I decided to go through my images over the past 20 years and see what scenic locations were good performers around the 3rd of October. (Actually between 2-5 October)

What if the fall colors are early or late?

Over the years many of you folks have asked one main question, “What are the fall colors going to look like on such and such a date?”. I can tell you right now that I will know exactly what the fall colors will look like on the day AFTER you are looking. In 2020 I only had an inkling that we “MIGHT” have an early fall in late August and even then I was watching the weather reports week to week to see what we might get in New England.

I have seen earlier fall colors as well as later. IF nothing changes, (goes out of whack), like a major weather event, then I’ll be pretty accurate. In the last 5-10 years, we’ve seen later arrival fall colors and because of that, I created the term “Slow Burn” for warmer than average temperatures, causing a delayed arrival to the turning of the colors. You can read about the “slow burn” here.

The bottom line is to hedge your bets. I mean that you should plan for a long enough vacation that it is more likely that you will see more fall colors than being too early or being here for so short a time that you have to be in exactly the right spot in order to see any good fall colors.

This means that in this article I’m talking about places that are “usually” pretty good around the 3rd of October. IT MAY NOT BE PEAK… I going to limit this conversation to just good color and maybe… maybe peak in a good year. Lets proceed.

Vermont

For Vermont, I will suggest two things, either higher elevation or further North. One more thing, some of the areas also have things to see as well as fall colors. Because the fall colors might be later but the covered bridges, general stores, and what have you will still be there.

Northeast Kingdom (NEK)

Between the 2-5 of October I have found very pleasing color from the Jenne Farm up to the Canadian border which is a very wide section of Vermont, but you will mostly hear me say don’t do the Jenne farm till 7-10 Oct. Why? because from past experience that is when it gets “reliably” good.

Normally I will send you to the NEK which is in the “North East” corner of Vermont. You will hear quite often of places like Peacham, Hardwick, and Groton among many others. Groton State Park is home to Seyon Pond which is a small pond in a bowl of hills.

But don’t forget high elevation as a factor. Over in Stowe Vermont, you may find color around Mount Mansfield which is just up the road from Stowe on Route 108. Smugglers Notch is a sight that I usually wait for 5-10 Oct but one year on 2 Oct, I found the Congregational church in Stowe to be very colorful.

These places are wonderful to explore just for the fact that they are beautiful and have lots to see. So if the colors don’t provide enough entertainment then the location itself will suffice.

Stowe is often overhyped or is it? Some of it is dues to great marketing by the ski resorts but all the factors of Vermont help make this area ripe with iconic scenes. From the small church to winding roads and the abundance of fall colors in October. It all lends itself to the telling of stories about the area.

 New Hampshire

New Hampshire is always a favorite. And everybody flocks to the White Mountains for the panoramic vistas to be found from the Kancamagus or along Crawford Notch.

I love all the scenic backroads to explore. The first scenic drive everybody takes is always the Grand Dame, the Kancamagus Highway (Better known as the “Kanc”). The funny part is this, even though I’ve hit this road many times, I still get out at the scenic overlooks just like it was my first time.

The colors will start up in Pittsburgh NH on the Canadian border and flow south. But that is a very LONG drive so I advise waiting for the colors to come down into the White Mountains. You will notice an uptick in traffic and a serious lack of places to stay if you wait to make reservations.

One area that is a reliable location is the Beaver Pond on Route 112 (west of I-93) and on 2 October one year, I found it like this.

Crawford Notch is another reliable location. Crawford Notch is also known as Route 302 and has all sorts of places to explore like the base road as seen up top. This takes you to the train station of the Cog Rail. This article talks a bit about the Cog Rail.

Most of the rest of the areas that everyone loves to travel is very well known. Route 2, Route 3, Route 16, and of course Route 112 (the Kanc). But take out your Gazetteer [affiliate link] and look for those Notch Roads! Jefferson Notch, Crawford Notch, Sandwich Notch, and Pinkham Notch, to name a few. My best advice is to just get out and explore!

Maine

Maine is a whole different feel to me for the most part from Massachusetts or Vermont. It’s not any less but it does feel different. I love the wildness of the land and while there are plenty of towns and small churches with white steeples, it feels more lonely.

On 3 Oct, I will usually recommend Rangeley Maine, or even Greenville. Rangeley is a favorite and coming up Route 17, you will find the Height of Land.

I’ve only been to Moosehead Lake once and it was in late September. It all depends on the year as to whether I’m rewarded or not. As you can see below at dawn the colors are a little amped up but I would have rated it good in this particular year but nowhere near peak.

Read about our Greenville trip in Lisa’s travel article here!

Don’t forget that Maine has covered bridges as well as scenic locations. Down in Sunday River, you have the Artist covered bridge and I caught it once on the 4th of October.

Finding Fall Colors

Yes, it can and will happen but it could be early or late depending on the year. In most years I do find very nice colors around the 3rd of October and if you are prepared to explore and see what is out there, you will have a great visit. I hope this helps in some way with your foliage planning. Hit the links up in the menu for scenic drives and locations by state, to help you explore.

“Caveat Foliage Seeker”

Let the foliage seeker beware! (yes I invented that)

I will tell you always to seek foliage while you are doing something else! This way you are sure to have a great time and if you get some great color!!! then so much the better. On the other hand, if you get rainy weather and the colors stop developing then you are back to plan B…

Then have a train ride planned or plans for some historical places to visit then you will be warm and dry, enjoying a train ride and having fun… who knows maybe the sun will come out if you ignore it long enough.. 🙂

Jeff Foliage Folger

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

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