South/Central Massachusetts - Quabbin Reservoir

[loafer89]

My original intent was to go to the Oxbow and Sugarloaf Mountain along the Connecticut River. I visited the Oxbow with peak foliage along I-91 from Enfield to the Oxbow. I drove to Mount Sugarloaf with mostly bare trees along I-91 after Northampton, but it was closed. After that I decided to go to the Quabbin Reservoir. I know this is one place in New England that ctyanky likes for Fall foliage.

The foliage from the Connecticut River to the Quabbin along Route 9 varied from past peak and bare to colorful. Around the Quabbin Reservoir it's mostly Oak foliage, which isn't everyone's favorite. I happen to like it. I got lucky and the sun came out briefly. The area around the Reservoir is peak, even still a bit green. Beyond that it's mostly past peak. The Monson area had nice foliage color. Leaf drop is starting to pick up as we get into late October. Thankfully the weather ahead looks fairly stable.


Routes traveled today are I-91, local roads around the Oxbow, Route 10, I-91, Route 116, Route 9, Quabbin Hill Road, Route 9, Route 181, Route 32 and Route 190 to home.

[loafer89]

Quabbin Hill Road, mostly Oak foliage color:

[ctyanky]

Hi Kevin, thanks for these photos. I don't know anything about the Oxbow so had to google the location. Why have I never heard of this? Can you tell me alittle more about your experience there and the best time to see it? Summer ok too. I traveled ALL around the Quabbin with Ed McGuirk from this forum two years ago. It was early. One of my relatives said it is hard to pin down, each year is different, and she lives close enough to walk there every day. I loved the towns surrounding it though, so historic and sooooooo New England. There are so many pullouts to enter the Quabbin. Ed and I did quite a few. The Quabbin is one of the most magnificent reservoirs I have ever come across. All the little islands! And the ranger station (when it was open) was great and the park rangers so nice and helpful. I think I got maps there too. I hope to go another time. I'm up to my ears with places to visit and am very glad I got there at least once!

Keep the pics coming, you are everywhere! Are you really done tooling about the countryside? I sure hope not!!!!

[loafer89]

The Oxbow is a cutoff part of the Connecticut River formed by a flood in 1840. I like the area for it's late season foliage. The background of the Oxbow includes the backside of Mount Tom, which is mostly Oak trees. Unfortunately the marina that I used to take this picture is now roped off and marked no trespassing. There are fishing spots that offer picture taking opportunities, just not this view. I haven't been there in Summer, but I see it all the time coming home from N.New England on I-91S. IIt's a popular ice fishing destination and a large marina on the Connecticut River.

I am getting a bit worn out from all of this driving around this foliage season. I've been doing it for almost a month, but it's over pretty soon. I probably have about 10 days left this year.

This picture is from 10/26/19

[loafer89]

The backside of Mount Tom yesterday, not the best picture with low lighting levels. This is close to the Oxbow. The green trees are Oaks.