State Foliage Report No 4

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GUILDHALL, Vt. – Almost every area of the state will be displaying multiple stages of colorful foliage within a drive of a few miles during the coming week.

Near peak to full color is reported in much of the northern third of the state and along the higher elevations down the spine of the Green Mountains, while early stage foliage predominates in the lower Lake Champlain and Connecticut River valleys. Those who enjoy the mid-stage patchwork of brightening yellows and reds in a mix of still green foliage will find much to enjoy along the way.

Foresters report scattered areas of leaf spot and insect damage, apparently due to the persistently wet conditions early in the summer. Colors are expected to emerge normally in most areas, but some trees will have early leaf drop.

It’s the height of the pick-your-own apple season throughout the state with many orchards reporting plentiful fruit for the picking despite earlier concerns about the size of the crop. A list of pick-your-own orchards is available at www.vermontapples.org

Best Bets: The mountain valleys in northwestern Vermont and the Northeast Kingdom are showing near peak color throughout. Forester Jim Tessmann suggests driving Rte. 108 north from the Cambridge area through Bakersfield and Enosburg, then taking Rte. 105 to Montgomery or Richford. “You will have the change in elevation so you will see some areas just turning, some mid-stage and some peak, so you can enjoy all the stages,” he said.

In the Northeast Kingdom both highways and backroads will provide good viewing with the upper Connecticut River Valley and the Peacham Four Corners areas noted for scenic views. Foliage change ranges from mid-stage to near peak.

Most higher elevations through Central Vermont are at 50 – 75 percent color change, with Rtes. 12 between Montpelier and Morrisville, the Roxbury/Warren Gap and Rtes. 14 and 100 suggested. In the west central areas the gap roads (Rtes. 17, 125, 73 and 4) have the greatest foliage change with the broad Lake Champlain Valley in earlier stages. To the east the Thetford area is at mid-stage.

In southern Vermont the higher elevations along Rtes. 9, 103 and 100 will have the most advanced color change during the coming week.


Here are some reports from Vermont State Foresters on the emerging color:

Matt Langlais, Caledonia/Essex County Forester (Northeast Kingdom): Foliage season is on track. Essex County will be at peak this coming weekend. For a beautiful drive, head on up Vermont Rte. 102 and the Connecticut River Valley. Make sure to stop into the Guildhall Store across from the Village Green for the best cup of coffee and slice of apple pie in the Kingdom. Caledonia County is at near peak foliage. There are hundreds of miles of beckoning backroads winding through Barnet, Danville, and Peacham that offer the finest of Vermont. Fall scenes of Peacham Four-Corners so often grace the cover of Vermont Life magazine for good reason. You’ll want to see for yourself.

James Tessmann, Franklin/Grand Isle County Forester (Northwestern Vermont): For Franklin County the colors are varying from peak to still green. In the Montgomery and Richford areas some have lost their leaves, peak in some spots and some still haven't begun to change.

I suggest driving Rte. 108 from Cambridge area, north through Bakersfield and Enosburg, then taking Rte. 105 to Montgomery or Richford. You will have the change in elevation so you will see some areas just turning some mid some peak and you can enjoy all the stages.

George Buzzell, Orleans County Forester (Northeast Kingdom): Monet would be in his pigtail glory along about now, were he to travel the roads and trails of Vermont's North East Kingdom. Despite fairly high winds the past few days, and nights, most of the Area is displaying full colors. At this stage, many colors appear "washed," blending together to create the largest "Monet" ever displayed. What a week to soak up beauty! The little fall flowers along roadsides, rail and stone fences, blazing Sumac, traveling the yellow brick road through hammered gold(en) Maple leaves.. We "old" kids love to walk through the leaves, scuffling our way along and stirring up memories, compliments of Ms. Nature's unforgettable "scratch and sniff."

Park safely off the road, (don't forget the camera -- or the paint and palette!) and scuffle through a pile of leaves. Don't overlook the fun of gathering up a few leaves for pressing!

Susan Roy, Mad River Valley/Sugarbush Area Spotter (Central Vermont): This lifelong Vermonter is very pleased with how the foliage season is shaping up in regard to color. Look for open meadow vistas dotted with cows or corn stubble and beyond you may see hillsides boasting a fine palette of soft autumn colors. Some individual trees vie for your attention- but take in the overall view- breath deeply, enjoy the crisp, fresh air. The overall brilliance of Autumn has not hit our area of Central Vermont yet. Foliage changing is like riding a Ferris wheel- wonderful views both going up and coming down- as breathtaking on the descent as in the ascent. Enjoy the ride.

Russ Barrett, Washington County Forester (Central Vermont): It is still kind of a mixed bag in Washington County. Some areas turning about normal and some brownish -yellow and dropping leaves rapidly.

Best bets would still be Roxbury and Roxbury Gap, Rte.12 between Worcester and Elmore, Rte. 2 south side between Plainfield and Marshfield.

David Paganelli, Orange County Forester (Eastern Central Vermont): Color change is advancing in Orange County with lots of yellow and a few brighter splashes of color here and there. Leaf diseases on maple leaves may reduce intensity of peak color, as many leaves may have fallen by then. Still very nice. Thetford area is pretty now.

Barbara Harding, Middlebury Area Spotter (West Central Vermont): The Mid Vermont Region is experiencing wonderful color particularly in the Green Mountains along Route 125 through the Middlebury Gap to Route 100 and Route 17 to the McCullough Gap.

The village of Bristol has good viewing opportunities. Spots of color can be found in the Champlain Valley which gives a hint of what is to be expected in Vergennes and Middlebury areas.

Tom Olson, Vermont Maple Museum, Lower Addison and Rutland Counties Spotter (West Central Vermont): Generally lower elevations are in the early stages but there are wonderful splashes of red in the low wet areas on Rtes. 22A and 30 north to Rte. 73 in Sudbury. Also the burnt red Sumacs, gold and brown marsh grass and green fields make a wonderful back drop for the early fall colors along these two routes.

Take Rte. 73 East to Brandon and you will see a colorful display of crimson and dark orange along Otter Creek and marsh land (the Indian Road). The Soft Maples are at their best. The higher elevations around Killington, Mt Holly (Ludlow), Rochester and gap roads from Rte 100 to Rte. 7 are moving into mid-color. Rte. 103 from Ludlow to Rutland, Rte. 73 Brandon to Rochester, Rte. 100 south to Rte. 4 in Killington are suggested.

The Killington Access Rd. shows panoramic views of the mountain with splashes of orange and gold washing up Killington and adjacent hillsides. Rte. 4 west to Rutland is mid-color with bright oranges and golds.

Nate Fice, Rutland County Forester (West Central Vermont): The majority of Rutland County is in the middle stages of fall color development with the highest elevations along the spine of the Green Mountain range nearing peak conditions. Some leaf drop is occurring in localized areas, but overall the leaves are hanging tough despite the wind and insect damage.

A nice short loop drive from Rutland would be taking the Cold River road to North Shrewsbury, following the CCC Road through Coolidge State Forest, reaching Route 100 in Plymouth. Then turn north on Route 100 and continue to the next intersection, making a left hand turn onto Route 4 which will bring you back to Rutland. Many of the lakes and wetlands are ringed with brilliant red maples. The area around Star Lake in Belmont Village is also a nice day trip to see color.

Jon Boutin, Windsor County Forester (East Central Vermont): Drove up to Waterbury today. I'd say the hillsides in the central green mountains are close to peak. The brightest colors I have seen have been near wetlands where the swamp red maples are bright red.

This weekend is the Vermont Fine Furniture and Woodworking Festival at the Arena in Woodstock with free shuttle busses connecting to Forest Festival Weekend at Marsh Billings Rockefeller National Historical Park.

[iconnian]

Hi PB, can you please tell me where Peacham four corners is/...Thank You so much!