NEK Report 10/3

edmcguirk · Post: # 21782Post **edmcguirk** Wed Oct 03, 2018 4:25 pm

Arrived in NEK today, 10/3. Absolute peak color from Lyndonville north to Norton along Rt. 114. Jobs / Newark pond area is peak. Colors are strong and vibrant, trees look healthy. Reds are very prominent. Overcast and drizzle today, bur minimal wind, no appreciable leaf drop seen. St. Johnsbury is 80% peak or so. The whole NEK from St. J and north should be peak this weekend. The beaver pond south of the underpass thats between Island Pond and Norton was absolutely gorgeous today. Heading out in tomorrow's rain to go west on RT. 2 towards Marshfield, will report tomorrow on that area. The NEK looks just great right now, should hold for awhile if tomorrows rain and wind is not too bad.

ctyanky · Post: # 21783Post **ctyanky** Wed Oct 03, 2018 5:37 pm

Hi Ed! I just got back from the NEK in those areas and it was stellar! I will put in another post the roads we drove and the highlight of my day! I was with Phil and Tim and we had a wonderful day!

Speaking of Marshfield, the color on route 2 from Onion Fields Campground through Marshfield on the right side heading north is near peak but still coming on strong. With the cold snap this weekend, expect it to burst open. There were incredible mountainsides of color heading up the hill into Danville as well. I think Marshfield/Plainfield will be peak by early this weekend. Let me know what you think!

We had a lot of low clouds and fog but didn't hit any drizzle. It is totally peak up on 114 up to Island Pond.

Wow, just WOW.

CT

ctyanky · Post: # 21784Post **ctyanky** Wed Oct 03, 2018 5:44 pm

Ed: why not take route 232 into the Groton State Forest! It's just up the road a piece and quite a beautiful drive! Phil said it should be the same as Marshfield. Minnesotaman was in Peacham today. Maybe he'll come in here and let us know how it was!

edmcguirk · Post: # 21785Post **edmcguirk** Wed Oct 03, 2018 5:47 pm

ctyanky, I agree, Wow just wow !!!!

The NEK is just a color explosion. I was not in Vermont in 2012 or 2016 which everyone raves about, how does 2018 compare to that so far?

ctyanky · Post: # 21786Post **ctyanky** Wed Oct 03, 2018 6:04 pm

Hi Ed, I think 2016 was my "peak" of all seasons but this one is not done yet so I am reluctant to answer as I am still on the fence. This one started later but it's still fiercely hanging on and the color is coming on like gangbusters. If you factor in weather conditions, I would have loved to have some blue skies and white puffy clouds and less rain and low clouds. So 2016 was my 10 combining all factors!

If forced to answer

I would say a close second on par with 2012! Does that answer your question?

ctyanky · Post: # 21787Post **ctyanky** Wed Oct 03, 2018 6:29 pm

Ed, just remembered to ask. Are you going to be around Cabot tomorrow, Cabot Plains and the lakes around Woodbury? Phil thinks the area might be worth a look. Danville Hill Road looked good to me. Try Ducharme Road!

In Woodbury take Dog Pond Road to Tebbetts. There is a barn that is built over the dirt road! Cute photo op!

minnesotaman · Post: # 21794Post **minnesotaman** Wed Oct 03, 2018 9:10 pm

that barn is a crazy thing. there must be a story why it was built that way, but i cant imagine what it is.

peacham still early, esp by comparison to the colors now in NEK, but everything seems to be changing fast so maybe by sat or sunday peacham will be ready. the "classic" peacham shot from the field will be good this year--the field between the church and the hill was planted with corn, which has been harvested, and the stubs and stuff that remain make an interesting foreground. that view must be on a lot of lists this year. while i was there there were six or seven other cars there. and it was mid-week. most of the times i have gone i am in and out without seeing anyone.

i was in barnet today, hillside acres farm. also still early. four or five days more.

kcflanders · Post: # 21795Post **kcflanders** Wed Oct 03, 2018 9:39 pm

edmcguirk wrote: Heading out in tomorrow's rain to go west on RT. 2 towards Marshfield, will report tomorrow on that area. The NEK looks just great right now, should hold for awhile if tomorrows rain and wind is not too bad.

If you're going thru Marshfield, the falls on Lower Depot Rd should be great with all the rain. Take School St 1/4 mile South of RT 2. Only a couple hudred feet after Lower Depot Rd splits off to the right. You'll see the falls on the left side of the rd.

standupphotog · Post: # 21796Post **standupphotog** Thu Oct 04, 2018 6:39 am

Thank you for the update!

We’re headed to NEK tomorrow for a couple days. Sounds like that’s the place to be this weekend.

From_the_NEK · Post: # 21801Post **From_the_NEK** Thu Oct 04, 2018 3:00 pm

Yesterday from the Burke/Kirby area. Some real firecracker trees out there. As mentioned by others, Rt 114 north of Lyndonville is really coming in. There is still some green. This weekend should be excellent.

Colorful Hillside-4013 by Tim_NEK, on Flickr

Chapel and Red Tree-3585 by Tim_NEK, on Flickr

Abandoned Sugarhouse-3766 by Tim_NEK, on Flickr

Pinkham Fall Barn-Road-3825 by Tim_NEK, on Flickr