Scenic Autumn in New England
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7What is your favorite part of…
Discovering a Scenic Autumn in New England
One of the most exciting parts of finding and capturing scenic autumns in New England is never knowing what we will get. To me, it’s like Christmas arriving in October and I can’t wait to unwrap it. (As a kid, I had trouble with the waiting as well) You may have heard me say this during my interview with CBS Sunday Morning. But it’s true!
What are we going to get this year?
Only Mother Nature knows for sure and while I make my forecasts (click here to view them) my guesses and opinions firm up as we move into September. But! even then she can throw a curveball at us like she does every few years.
Every year we get different results. A little extra rain, a little drought, a heatwave, and of course every once in a while we get a hurricane either running up the coast or right through the middle of New England.
Every year we get some combination of these weather occurrences and every single year these combinations will give us different results. This is why I tell you to make a plan but be flexible. You don’t need to worry when you make your reservations let’s say in Stowe Vermont and then not finding color within an hour’s drive, believe me, New England is not that big. Driving 30 to 60 miles to find the fall color is what I call being flexible.
Nothing puts me in a foul mood like unseasonably warm weather during MY fall foliage season. There is nothing we can do about it so having a “Plan B” is always a best practice.
What do YOU enjoy about Scenic Autumn in New England?
If you have been reading my blog for any length of time you know pretty much what I like to shoot in autumn, EVERYTHING! 🙂
Maybe because I grew up in the burbs and didn’t experience farm life or hills, meadows, and mountains, that is why I love to explore them now.
Just getting out and exploring is half the fun. The other half is finding something that I didn’t know was there and then sharing that find with all of you. If you have a hidden favorite or just a location that you enjoy coming back to each year, tell us about it in the comments. (or not, if you want to keep it a secret!!)
Where are the Early Fall Picturesque Autumn Scenes
In mid to late September, I will hit the road to gauge the arrival of early color. I will head for the White Mountains and the higher elevations. Invariably, I will stop at Polly’s Pancake Parlor in Sugar Hill as my yearly pilgrimage. If you are not yet acquainted with Polly’s visit this link to Polly’s Pancake Parlor or this one but only visit Polly’s if you like good food! Can you tell I love this place?
Autumn scenes are always out there but remember that the earlier the dates 15-25 September means that you will most likely see early fall colors in northern New England (VT, NH, ME). Places like Newport in Vermont (VT) and Pittsburg in New Hampshire (NH), and North Of Rangeley Maine (ME).
During the 2021 autumn (26/27 Sept) I saw nice fall colors and just a little evidence of peak fall colors (Route 27 near the Canadian border). Late September is driving time because the new week or two are much more productive for finding the fall colors. WILL THERE BE FALL COLORS… YES! But the peak fall colors are much more elusive!
Peak fall foliage by 1 Oct, (fingers crossed)
Usually, I will see good or really good, if not peak color by traveling through Sugar Hill and around the area of Franconia Notch. I may have to head up through Crawford Notch or even further North to Route 26 and Dixville Notch. Any of these areas will be showing varying degrees of autumn color (maybe even “Peak”) around the 1st of October.
Some years you can stay on Route 18 in Sugar Hill and cross over to Route 302 to Bethlehem and then follow it East by South. As you pass through Bethlehem, it might be coffee fill-up time? Further, along Route 302, look on the right for Trudeau Road and head south to the Five Corners where Trudeau Road meets Route 3 and you are in the middle of the Beaver Brook Recreation area. Yes, it’s time to get out of the car and explore.
Options- Route 302 or continue on Route 3?
Remember what I’ve said so many times before, “You can drive across New England in a day but you won’t get out of the car”! Well, I bet this little detour could take you the better part of a day to explore. Either way, you do it (302 or Route 3 to 302) could delay you in wonderful ways if the colors are nice. Here is another article with a dozen other stops to check out!
If you stay on Route 3 (Daniel Webster Hwy) you will pass through a valley with hills to the north and the Twin Mountains to the south. There are also roads that lead to the foot of Twin Mountain and trailheads like Nubble and Gale River Trailhead. Eventually, you will meet back up with Route 302 in the town of Carroll. (more coffee, gas, or lunch?)
Bretton Woods and the Mountains
If we are blessed with average weather and temps (if cooler than normal, great but average temps will still deliver outstanding colors given enough time). If it’s turning like I hope it will, then this next part of Route 302 can cause heart attacks. First, there will be a turnout on the right which allows for a potty break and an elevated view of the Mount Washington Hotel. (also, the hotel sits at the foot of… wait for it... Mount Washington, but you knew that) 🙂
As an alternative, you could take a ride on the Cog rail to the top of Mount Washington. It’s just down Route 302 and a left on the Base Station Road which can be very scenic in its own right (seen here) and you haven’t even gotten to the Cog Rail Station. When you are on the Cog on the way up or down you can see the red roof and white buildings of the Mount Washington Hotel (click this link).
When the weather is nice and the colors are turning full shades of Autumn reds, golds, and oranges, then there are not enough places to pull over, so be careful, the guy behind you may not notice if you slow down to “leaf peep”.
Crawford Notch State Park
From this point South, you will find many photo opportunities on either side of Route 302. There are rivers, brooks, and hiking/biking trails so you just need to choose your diversion.
The Conway Scenic Train follows its way up to Crawford Notch to turn around at Fabyan’s Station. If trains are your thing, make your reservations as early as possible (for either the Cog Rail or the Conway Scenic Train) as they fill up quickly. Click this link for train rides to check out.
Either way, you will find pleasing scenic autumnal views most days by following Route 302 and Crawford Notch south (or North) You’ll find the Flume Cascade and then the Silver Cascade waterfalls come into view. Don’t panic, there is a good-sized parking lot on the right just across from the Silver Cascade waterfall. Just be careful crossing the road because people drive down this hill rather quickly.
Almost every time I pass this way I see tour buses and people pulled over. This is another of those easy-to-find and photograph waterfalls because it’s roadside and easy for everyone to get to and you don’t have to hike a mile in and back out again, just to see it. (The same reason Moss Glen Falls in VT is the easiest waterfall, click the link)
Next, you’ll pass Attitash Mountain with Route 16 coming up on the left. Now you have to ask yourself a question. Is it time to quit because you and the day are spent? Or do you continue up Route 16 to see the other side of Mount Washington? If you decide to continue on then check out this article that takes you from North Conway to Gorham NH.
I hope this little travelogue gives you some ideas of why I say you really need to take your time and really explore because while you can cover all of this article in a few hours (not getting out of the car) really, where is the fun in that?
Happy foliage travels and more articles are always forthcoming as the season progresses!
Jeff Foliage Folger
Autumn is a state of mind more than a time of year – Jeff Foliage
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Hi Jeff, Similar to the route I take… but you offer some interesting variations. I’ll have to print this one out in the fall and try it. Ron
Gorgeous, simply spectacular shots! I agree with your commentary wholeheartedly on all. This year will be our 5th Anniversary of making it back East in the Fall. Booked early in hopes nothing (including Mother Nature this year!) prevents us from a beautiful Fall Foliage season. And, yes, Polly’s Pancakes are already on our list of locations to stop at. We’ve just relocated from Austin back to Leawood, KS (Kansas City) and already excited about the fact that we will not return to mid-80s after enjoying the Fall crisp air at that time of the year. (Granted y’all don’t experience another warmer than usual preseason to that magical time of year! Always can count on your educated & enlightened knowledge to help us find all nooks and crannies to explore! Appreciate you!
We have traveled New England for almost 40 years now, with the last 30+ years in the fall in Vermont. We have traveled many of the main scenic roads like 7, 7A, 100, 4, 25, 9 and have seen some great sights. However, over the past 5-10 years, our focus has shifted to taking the dirt roads off some of these main highways only to find the most awesome farms, inns, barns and scenes with remarkable foilage. We have met some of the greatest people who gave us directions and even invited us into their homes to chat, when we asked if we could take pictures of their property. I would encourage leaf peepers to try this approach sometime. I don’t think we have ever been disappointed.
Jeff,
Exactly where was the photo with the bicycle marker in Vermont on route 17.
I flew to Burlington on Oct. 1 St and cycled for 10 days in Vermont. The weather was great for bicycling but not so much for viewing the fall foliage. I waited 50 years to do that because I had to wait until I retired. I was paying attention to your forecasts. Mother Nature can be deceptive.
Peace,
Jay
It was about a mile before the big pond where you climb up the big hill where the parking lot was at the top that overlooks the pond
I lovvved my first visit to New England (Stowe, VT) last Fall and now look forward to visiting annually. I just put Pollys Pancake Parlor and Bretton Woods and the mountains my list!! Thanks!!
Love Fall as much as you do .Would photograph every tree if I could. A couple of places I haven’t visited here so will do so this year .Great article and will look forward to the next