New England Foliage Blog →
Fall Color Update! #1
Early color can be seen in northern areas!
by Jeff "Foliage" Folger
A shot of the Peacham store in the NEK.
Old rustic barn that has a bit of color...
The start of the turning
I wasn't expecting to put a color report out until Late September but this morning I was talking with two of my foliage network color spotters and they say the same thing. Early color is being seen in both the North East Kingdom (NEK) in VT and the Moosehead lake area in Maine.
Karen who runs a B&B and the Peacham store told me this morning that she has a tree in her yard that has never shown color before early Sept and it has some branches near the top that are reddish.
Heather from The Cozy Moose who runs Moosehead Cabins at Moosehead Lake says that some of the trees in her area are obviously stressed trees but she also has a healthy tree outside her office and much of the tree is starting to show color.
I know that you are going to say, that these are stressed trees that are nearly dead or they have their feet in the pond. But according to Karen and Heather, these are healthy trees who are not normally "stressed" trees.
Please don't panic and start changing your reservations! Things can change over the next month and we are keeping an eye on all things fall...
So take this for what it is and keep tuned to your foliage channel right here at Yankee! and I'll do my best to keep you informed on where to find the color in New England, when it happens and where it happens!
To contact the Peacham store (no website)
The Peacham Store Peacham VT
(802-592-3310)
I'd like to hear your thoughts on this and any other subjects in either the comments section or over in the foliage forum.
Jeff "Foliage" Folger
Reader Comments
Comment from Martha Rhoades on August 30, 2008
I sure hope there will still be fall foliage to see Oct 1-8 when we come to visit Brown University, Bates and Hampshire colleges with our son! We have from Friday afternoon in Lewiston ME to Monday morning in Amherst MA to plan. None of us have been east much and we want to see lots of color. We do NOT want to see/be around the Fryeburg Fair. My son is a rock climber, and I love trees. None of us are much interested in antiques, but my photographer husband would probably enjoy a scenic covered bridge. Where should we go?
Comment from Jeff Folger on September 1, 2008
First I would hit the forum and post the same question there as we can throw questions back and forth easier:-) At first glance you have a bit of distance to travel but I think if you leave on the 3rd and head north towards route 2 via route 121 to Norway (Maine) you will miss much of the (Fryeburg) traffic. [note stay tuned for updates in the forum] This route takes you past several lakes where photographic possibilities are endless. You'll pass through Gorham and Randolph which are pretty areas now you could proceed west to 93 and head south (again depending on where the color is) or head south into Jackson NH which is north of North Conway... The downside is when coming south out of Conway you are on 16 which meets 113 which is the main thoroughfare out of the Fryeburg fair. There are several pretty covered bridges in the area of Jackson/Conway which are pictured in map books and on the local maps that you can pick up in the area that show where points of interest area. If color is early you can head south west to 93 to catch up to it or head up route 112 to the Kancamagus highway which is a very scenic drive. depending on your rate of travel you can meander your way south or hit route 93 to speed things up. you have the lakes region ahead (Squam lake is THE On Golden Pond shooting location) and also a good place to bed down for the night is Concord NH. Again depending on rate of travel I might come down 93 to 495 and get off on route 2/2A and travel this west to route 91. Route 2 turns into the Mohawk trail which is picturesque all the time... and then down into the Amherst area. From here you are just a few miles from the Quabbin reservoir (route 202) which is a beautiful area for pictures... Again check the forum for updates and if the color is slow spend more time north and if the season is early then travel faster on the highway and get to the south... I hope this helps.. somewhat.. check the forum for everyones opinion there. Jeff "Foliage" Folger
Comment from William Pead on September 1, 2008
A more direct way from Route 2 in Massachusetts to Amherst is to take the Route 202 exit south to Belchertown, and Route 9 West to Amherst. It passes by New Salem, a charming little town off 202 and through Pelham, with its historic old church and cemetery. Route 202 follows the Western side of the Quabbin Reservoir. From Belchertown, a short drive on Route 9 east takes you to the Quabbin entrance. A further gate brings to to the drive to the summit and the Enfield Overlook, and striking views. I think fall color at the Quabbin is much more appealing than bumper to bumper traffic on the Mohawk Trail.
Comment from Jeff Folger on September 1, 2008
You're right any day I can avoid traffic is a good day.. :-) I haven't explored the Quabbin in the fall and this will be the first fall to do so... Thanks to Will P.
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