October Foliage Report: Top New England Destinations for Vibrant Colors (and Areas to Maybe Skip)
Well, everyone we are in October and there is no more wondering if or where the fall colors will be showing up, THEY ARE HERE!!!
Lisa and I drove up Route 16 in New Hampshire, NO great color along Route 16 up till jumping on Route 112 (the Kancamagus). The colors started slow but as we climbed it got to where we would call it peak or near peak. We drove up 93 through Franconia Notch and while most of all the trees had started to turn, there were few bright spots on the hillsides in the Notch.
As we left the northern end of the Notch the colors did NOT get better and driving into St Johnsbury it was mostly dull rusty color. We started to head up to Lake Willoughby and I Made a snap decision to veer off at Lyndonville to his Burke. The colors at the roadside are dry along Darling Hill Rd. We stopped at the Wildflower Inn and they think the colors will be coming in good but it has not happened yet. (see images below)
We drove over the Granby Rd (catch the Victory Rd off Route 114) and much of the way the color did brighten but was not “peak”. We cut over to Route 3 in New Hampshire and as we entered Carroll NH the colors were more pronounced but not bright. We took Route 302 through Crawford Notch and as you can see Bretton Woods (see above) is very pretty but there are no bright colors as of yet…
The North end of Crawford Notch was really pretty but mostly yellows. I stopped at the small parking lot at the top snapped some cellphone shots and continued south on 302 through the Notch. The colors weakened the further south we went. By the time we reached Bartlett, we were back to decent roadside color but not anywhere near peak. More at the bottom in Jeff’s thoughts (below)
New Hampshire
Chris Whiton of White Mountain Images.
Chris has been hiking over hill and dale to find the fall colors. In this shot, he hiked to the top of The Devil’s Slide in Stark NH.
A lot of the colors Chris has been finding, is this mono-pallet of color in the orangy color the last few days. There are many areas that show great fall colors in certain areas but you will have to look for them
Jeff “Foliage” Folger
Lisa and I on October 2nd drove over the Kanc…
The Kanc was some of the best colors seen this week. Maybe not as good as in past years, but it was still stunning.
Franconia is still dull as of Tuesday this week, The view from Artist Bluff or a ride up the Cannon Mountain gondola will still provide stunning views of the Notch.
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Joann Vitali Photography
Joann has been on the road in more southern areas of New Hampshire this week Such as Eaton New Hampshire, and Lake Chocorua…
Joann can be found on Facebook at Joann Photography and on Instagram at… Cobblestone and Birch
Vermont
John Rowe Photos
John has been flying his drone around the lakes/Ponds
Newark Pond (off Route 114 in the NEK of Vermont) had the brighter color this week. The other image of Lake Willoughby while peak is this dull orange compared to past years where more bright yellows and reds would be evident. On Facebook John can be found here and on Instagram here.
Jeff “Foliage” Folger
While most of our driving on Tuesday (2 Oct) was fruitless, we saw promising colors (depending on where you look around Burke Vermont).
Jeff can be found on Facebook at New England Fall Foliage and on Instagram here.
Maine
Scenes of Maine Photography
Stephen Beckwith traveled up Mount Baldpate and then over to Screw Auger Falls.
Stephen feels that there are bright colors along the road in Groton State Park around Screw Auger Falls.
Jeff’s Thoughts
Well if you are up here for this weekend (5/6 October) then you will have your work cut out for you. Northern New Hampshire from the Kancamagus north to Start and Dixville Notch should be explored. I would also look at North Western Maine (Rangeley, Greenville and up to Baxter State Park) These are long drives to be sure but that is were the colors are so far.
In Vermont I have a feeling Groton State Park in Vermont, Orleans and up to Jay peak are your best bets. I saw a picture of Holbrook State Park in the NEK (Northeast Kingdom) as looking really colorful.
I wish I had some better news at this point, but I’m going to share this out and hit the road
Jeff Foliage Folger
Autumn is a state of mind more than a time of year – Jeff Foliage
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Was waiting for this update all week! Thanks Jeff!
I plan on visiting places like Franconia Notch State Park(Artists Bluff),Crawford Notch State Park(Mt. Willard), Flume Gorge and Kangamongus.
Should I be going this weekend or would the next weekend be suitable? I did notice that the weather is a bit harsh next week.