Brattleboro vs. White River Junction for base camp

[Nancy]

Hello,

I made a tentative reservation at a motel in Brattleboro and one at White River Junction for Oct. 9 & 10th. Which of these two would make a better base camp for hunting down fall foliage? Or is it better to base myself somewhere south of Vermont? Thank you again. Nancy

[snowboarder]

I'm not sure I can help you Nancy as things change quickly, but I'm pretty sure
between those two Brattleboro is a much better choice now. I would check all the cool side
roads in MA, we loved old tree tunnel roads around Pittsfield and N. Adams. I honestly
prefer those to the roads in Vermont, as most trees are older and bigger, more photogenic
and your timing should be good unless some heavy rains come. I saw tons of great frames
to photograph there and I kind if regretted I didn't spend more time around there.
Take Taconic Pkwy and take any side small roads. White River for sure is way past peak now.

[Nancy]

Thank you so much, Snowboarder. That is exactly the help I needed! Nancy

[Nancy]

One other thing, Snowboarder. I'll actually be staying with a relative on Long Island. Do you think using that as my base camp and doing day trips to see the folliage and scenery is doable or is it better to spend a couple nights somewhere else?

[snowboarder]

too far for a daily commute I think...

[jcmaxwell37]

I stayed at Motel 6 for 55$+tax
The room is ok, clean however no breakfast and wifi is not free.

[Fallleafechidna]

One other thing, Snowboarder. I'll actually be staying with a relative on Long Island. Do you think using that as my base camp and doing day trips to see the folliage and scenery is doable or is it better to spend a couple nights somewhere else?

Somewhere else! It's a nightmare and a half just to cross into and out of L.I.

Central Park in NYC turns SUPER LATE, on the odd chance everything else is gone, that would certainly not be past peak, not even this year.

Northwestern NJ is anywhere from very near to at peak right now.

Bear Mtn/Harriman tends to have good color. It is possible it might be past peak in some nice areas already. I haven't gotten a report from anyone yet. All I know is on Oct 1st speading up I87 it looked way farther turned for normal for OCt 1st from teh outer edge. Normally it peaks around the 10-12th though, so....

Moowhawk State Forest in MA has some old-growth sections. EDIT: haha oops not sure where Moo W Hawk State Forest came from make that Mohawk State Forest.

From what I saw on the 5th in VT, the west side of the southern Green Mtns seemed to have more green and more peak (above Bennington to Manchester and a bit above, especially once you got a couple miles north of Bennington area) and the eastern side towards Brattleboro seemed a lot more dried out and/or past peak.