So Mother Nature Has Thrown Us A Curve Ball...

[ctyanky]

Just checked the weather (again) (ugh obsessive ) and the lows will be in the 30's beginning Friday morning for a LONG stretch! Rejoice!

[pwt54]

I went on a ride up around the NEK early this week. Colors on Rt 100 from Hyde Park to Lowell were early but nice. The stressed out trees had bright color.
I drove from Lowell to Lake Willoughby and then down to Lyndonville. Color change was just starting.
I then took the South Wheelock/Stannard Mountain Road to Greensboro. Colors were early in the lowlands, but the colors on top of the mountain were great.
From what I saw, I would not change any plans.
As to the brown leafs, there are some types of trees ( I call them junk trees ) whose leaves just turn brown and drop. These are NOT the maple trees with the bright red and orange leaves.

[ctyanky]

Hi Phil! Thanks for the report! Early seems to be the theme of the week! See you in 10 days at 9:30 at my inn! So excited! I even got the foodie/snack goodie bag for you ready.

The color will come, we just have to be patient. If it comes all it once, that would be a bonus for everyone! It was 92 here today but I didn't think it was all that humid so I was outside most of the day. Very unusual for this time in September, but once it gets cold, it's going to stay. My mums totally wimped out today. So strange seeing pumpkins and Halloween stuff out when it is so freakin' hot!

[ctyanky]

There were a lot of geese flying around tonight. They must think they have arrived down south already... the heat wave continues.............

[pwt54]

Tent caterpillar damage has been spotty in Lamoille County. Elmore Mountain on the Morrisville side took a hit, but the Elmore side was untouched. I drove route 12 from Montpelier to Morrisville on Sunday. The colors were still early but widespread.
I haven't been able to get out much because my 97 year old mother had a bad spell in June. She has bounced back and today my brother and I are taking her out for a big ride in the NEK. I'll have a report for you foliage fanatics later.

[courtmel]

Happy as always to read your posts PWT. You are a very good son.

[courtmel]

Happy as always to read your posts PWT. You are a very good son.

[courtmel]

Happy as always to read your posts PWT. You are a very good son.

[minnesotaman]

Today I repeated the route I took a week ago, from Woodstock up to Wells River, to Lincoln NH, out the Kanc, around Bear Notch through Crawford Notch and Franconia Notch, west into Vermont and then south through Vermont, generally within 10 miles of 91, back to Woodstock. There was not much change from a week ago. Still relatively little color in most places, with foliage looking a bit cooked. Trees that had changed some were losing foliage, especially as the wind increased during the day. But in almost all areas most of the trees, generally over half, are still green, so, one hopes, the onset of cool weather will restart the process in those trees.

Some specific areas: the upper and western Kanc is in a few spots more than 50% changed, and looks like it will ripen fully within five to six days, assuming no significant wind. The eastern Kanc is still pretty green. Beaver Pond is just starting to turn--the typical yellow striations across the mountain are just beginning to show; again, assuming favorable weather, this place looks to be about five to eight days to peak; most leaves are intact. Vermont areas on my path were all still mostly green, some yellow, but the yellows appear to have been well cooked by the heat. I spent a bit more time in the Barnet area; it is still quite green. Killington area is early with some color beginning to show, but the foliage looks healthy. My area, Woodstock/Pomfret, remains mostly green, but also has pockets in which trees are prematurely leafless, a combination of whatever is affecting them, and the heat, I suspect.

[ctyanky]

Minnesotaman: good thorough report. So we are in a holding pattern. Mother Nature may surprise us. I had a talk with her today to speak directly with the Foliage Gods (she already had a stern talking with the Weather Gods as we can see with the cool weather arriving).

See you Monday for our road scramble and luncheon!

[loafer89]

The heatwave really cooked the foliage and it honestly just looks confused by the extreme temperature change over the last week. Local opinion (in the Mt Snow area) is that there will not be a last minute miracle on trees, but just a leaf loss from what we have now. It's disappointing to say the least, but I have hope for good fall color in SNE where most of the foliage is healthy, lush and green. I'm hoping to get back up to Vermont this Saturday, but the forecast looks iffy with rain showers and cloudy weather. I'm hearing chatter from friends that the fall color is not great in Maine or the Whites as well.

[ctyanky]

Hi Loafer: I think Phil reiterated your sentiments exactly today on the way up to Lewis Pond and a different route coming back. The strange thing is that so many trees were still full but yes, looked frazzled or "cooked" as you have stated. We saw a lot of areas that looked like they had "potential" but Phil thought it was too late. I try to remain optimistic.

Will be doing Connecticut and the Berkshires the remaining weekends in October and perhaps down to the CT shoreline early November unless rain and wind dictate otherwise.

I'll be in Middlebury starting Friday for four days, not sure what that side of the state will have to offer, but I was wondering if anyone has been on the Lincoln back roads????

[Utah Baker]

Discouraging reports for sure. Drove into Albany, NY tonight, some areas of the Empire State still very green, but look promising. Will drive up through Vermont tomorrow on our way to Littleton NH, will let you know what we find. Sure hope the best foliage we see on this trip doesn't end up being in the state of OHIO!!!!!

[ctyanky]

Hi Janice! Have a super time with your family! You must be very happy to finally see them. Sorry about the foliage here, it is so opposite of last season, it's hard to fathom. But trees are resilient and next year will be another autumn to look forward to. I had so many outdoor activities on the schedule this year, more than ever really, that I am actually having the time of my life up here. The weather has been outstanding for outdoor enthusiasts. Every day when I get home, I sit out on the inn deck and soak in the sun, knowing winter is not far behind. This is better than rain for sure and I would not have been able to do all my fun events. For that I am grateful! There is so much to do in Vermont and having a backup plan to leaf-peeping is a life saver. All in all, I'm just happy to be up here on vacation and am enjoying each and every day immensely! Have a great trip!!!! Sorry I missed you this year, maybe 2018!

[Utah Baker]

Hi CT! Yep, just happy to be here! We will be here till the 17th so we'll see what unfolds. My daughter and grandkids are very excited to see their husband and Dad today for the first time in a month. It's been quite the journey traveling across this beautiful country of ours with four littles. Plus getting to visit with another son and his family in Illinois. Lucky for us we get to look forward to many visits in the future! I've always wanted a vacation home in New England and now I have one!