Plan Your New England Fall Foliage Trip Now!

To start out, this is NOT about when or where to go to find the fall colors. I cover those subjects on my website under the “Planning” link which is found at the top of the page.

What this article will cover are my suggestions on preparing for your fall foliage trips as far as weather, clothing, equipment, and reservations.

Weather Preparation

Beautiful fall colors below but coming in from the higher elevation is the dreaded Snowliage…(I say dreaded with tongue in cheek)

Leading up to this first image, I started the morning at New Hampshires Crawford Notch and it was pouring cats and dogs. My goal was to get from that notch to another notch in Vermont (Smuggler’s, is the one below). By the time I got to Danville Vermont (two hours later), there were breaks in the clouds and sun. BUT…by the time I got to Smuggler’s Notch, I had snow on the north side and mostly sunny on the south!!!

WELCOME TO NEW ENGLAND!

The Stowe Gondola's heading up to the top of Mount Mansfield — The Stowe Gondola’s heading up to the top of Mount Mansfield, you never know what kinds of weather you will get so it’s best to be PREPARED

I DO NOT predict the weather and I’m just like you, I’m at the mercy of what Mother Nature sends us in autumn. We rarely get perfect weather so as you can see in my story, In the space of 4 and a half hours, I had pouring rain, broken sunshine & clouds, and snow and back to sun again… Don’t like the weather, give it a few minutes!

Each year I comment on what the fall has the potential for. For the past few years, we have had the “potential” for slightly above average temps which means a slight delay in the full bright colors with the “potential” for equal chances of above, below, or average rainfall… What I feel we may see this on this day WILL change between now and October. ^{_{(doesn’t matter when you read this)}}

Weather Preparation and comfort are linked to what clothing you bring

As part of the Weather preparation, you need to think about what to wear. I don’t address this too often but bringing the right clothing is just as important as picking the right dates. If you bring clothing that layers well, you will be more comfortable. Never bring just ONE heavy coat that works well at -20 degrees but would leave you sweltering at 50 degrees. Lots of light layers are more effective. In the image below, I was with the CBS Sunday morning crew.

You will note that I have a rain shell on (in black), a mid-weight fleece 3/4 zip shirt, and a cotton t-shirt under that. This is my standard go-out-the-door clothing in Sept – November. This morning it was overcast to start, and by mid-day was raining off and on (Mother Nature had to audacity to rain while I was out with CBS Sunday Morning recording what I do)…

If I was expecting really cold temps then I usually have a silk-weight underwear layer as well but thank god I rarely need it. I’ve included some links to Amazon clothing below, they are affiliate links so clicking them pays me something and doesn’t cost you anything extra.

I’ve gone through several rainshells over the years. They help keep me dry and that contributes to keeping you warm. In itself, a shell coat is not warm but if you have a fleece jacket/sweatshirt with the rain shell over it, you stay warm in the cool temps, and if it rains, you are set. Here is an affiliate link for men’s and women’s jackets that fold up small, are waterproof/resistant, and make a great outer layer. In past years, I’ve worn Marmot, Columbia, or my current jacket, The North Face.

Also, your light to mid-weight layers of fleece can be any style you like. This affiliate link will show you men’s and women’s fleece wear from various manufacturers. Most will not break the bank when teamed with a light waterproof jacket. As the temps rise and fall you can shed or add layers to keep you toasty in almost everything Mother Nature will throw at us in October.

Also, I will usually have a ball cap or a fleece hat (lightweight) and fleece fingerless gloves. These just stay in the car in case I need them but on a chilly dawn awaiting the sun to rise (5:30AM and 32 degrees) at the Jenne Farm, you will be glad you have them.

What about footwear?

Now I’m not a hiker so I don’t have to worry about bringing “real” hiking boots but I have crossed many fields of wet grass for iconic views like the “Peacham View” and soggy shoes are never fun. So I now wear my Bean boots from mid-September to Spring. I don’t have an affiliate link for L.L. Bean boots but these shoes on Amazon should give you ideas. For lightweight comfort, I wear Merril’s (seen in black and they give decent support and traction.

Merrell walking shoes — L.L. Bean Boots made in Maine.

Another factor with your shoes is your choice of socks. Lisa and I bought one pair each of the Vermont-made Darn Tough socks. Lisa got the lifestyle socks which she feels were good (they do have a lifetime guarantee) but they don’t have any extra cushioning. I got the lightweight hike/trek socks which have a cushioned bottom and a lighter-weight upper portioned. I give these socks 2 thumbs up.

I’m wearing them now after a day in the office and my feet feel like they are floating on clouds. Lisa likes hers but wishes she had gotten my Hike/Trek socks, but she loves the maple leaf pattern. All the socks are Merino wool and super comfortable.

Underestimating your equipment needs…

You could be showing up with just your iPhone or Samsung cell phones as your primary camera and you won’t hear me say anything bad about them because I also shoot with my Samsung Ulta phone. But I also have my Canon camera and my Mavic 3 Pro drone. I know a cell phone can produce wonderful pictures. In many cases and under the right circumstances they can rival my Canon DSLR (although the DSLR has better depth and resolution, hands down).

If this is the case then you are probably safe as long as you don’t drop your phone in the lake or ravine, etc…

Bring a Backup Camera

Maybe this isn’t your career but even though I don’t have to survive off my artwork, It IS MY PASSION. So when I go out I bring my Canon 80D, My Mavic 3 Pro, and my Samsung 22 Ultra (depending on when you read this the numbers on the phone will change). So when I head out the door, I’m carrying 3 cameras as I go in search of the fall colors. (or Lighthouses, Covered Bridges, Etc…) You can be sure I will get it captured by one of the cameras. (assuming I don’t stand there googly-eyed and face-to-face with a Moose, don’t laugh it HAS happened)

Memory cards or lack there-of

I don’t think I’ve forgotten a memory card more than 4-5 times since I started shooting digital (in 1995) So is this a critical factor? Maybe not if you are a casual shooter. But nothing stops me in my tracks faster than, I turn on my camera and it says NO SD CARD!!!

My solution is to carry several extra memory cards in my camera bag (see below). I can remember a few embarrassing occasions where I’ve gone out for casual shooting with only my camera slung over my shoulder and maybe my cell phone in my pocket. A situation presents itself and I’m stopped dead and I have to rely on my cell phone (not my best option)

What if the card fails

I’ve never had a card fail (knock on wood) and I have a spare 64GB card as a backup but you just never know what will happen. I usually go for cards that are rated very highly for their durability.

My Canon camera uses an SD card and my favorite brand is Sandisk Extreme. These are long-lasting with few failures (I’ve never had one fail in the past 20 years. I currently use the SanDisk 128GB Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-I Memory Card and I chose the Extreme Pro for its transfer speed to write to the card and ruggedness.

My other camera (Mavic 3 Pro drone) uses a Micro SD card. and I have a 1TB Extreme SanDisk Micro SD card. I have been using this card since Nov 2020 When I got my first drone (mini2). I have one in the camera and one in the drone controller (64GB Extreme SanDisk Micro SD card).

I’ve also found that I have left my charging cable at home so I will have an extra charging cable like this one. JSAUX USB-C to USB A Cable 3.1A Fast Charging cables. They are very inexpensive and you just need a charger to go with it like this, USB Wall Charger Block, Aioneus 40W 4-Port Charging Block. This one is also inexpensive and will charge Android and iPhones (for families that are mixed)

Reservations

If you plan to visit in September, you might be able to find accommodation between Monday to Thursday during the Columbus Day week (Tuesday to Thursday). However, it’s important to note that this excludes Friday through Sunday (and Monday for Columbus Day). If you’re flexible with your accommodation requirements, you may be able to make it work.

upgrade your camping by living out of your Jeep

I have discussed this topic extensively, and many people have asked me questions about it. A common query is whether it is possible to “wing it” without making any reservations. Well, it is possible, but there is a risk that upon your arrival, you may find that everything is fully booked or the prices are exorbitant. This is not an ideal situation to be in.

If you are like my friend Tom, he travels till he’s tired and he jumps into the back of his truck with a shell on the back. My sister showed me that they hook this to their Jeep and I’m thinking of trying it. Pictured on the left is a Napier Sportz SUV Tent 9’x9′ Waterproof Tent with Universal Vehicle Sleeve and Awning. What do you think?

“I want to make reservations for Fridays and Saturdays in October. I don’t want to risk having to sleep in the back of my car. Your tolerance for this might allow you to do it, as long as you can stay in an inn, hotel, or motel a few times a week to take a shower.” If you check my Thrifty Lodging links through Hotels.com. You can check by town or city for any listings. Note* turn off your AD blocker or it might not work.

So depending on your personality and tolerance for not getting a room for the night, preparations ahead of time may or may not work for you.

If you have a story to tell, leave a comment below in the comments and tell us the issues you had and what you did to fix them.

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.