2017 New England Fall Foliage Recap | Where We Saw the Best Color
How did this year’s foliage season stack up? Where was the best color? Read on for our 2017 fall foliage recap in our final post of the season.
By Jim Salge|Nov 03 2017|
Warm Temperatures Allowed For Many Unorthodox Leaf Peeping Opportunities This Year.
Credit: Robert J. Kozlow
A large number of trees were brought down in New England’s forests with this October Storm.
Credit: John ComptonCredit: John Compton Now, for the third time in six years, my final foliage report of the season recounts an epic storm that paralyzed the region. There was Snowtober in 2011. Sandy in 2012. And now, the remnants of Philippe, which brought flooding, wind, and the fourth-largest power outage in the region’s history. Damage to trees, forests, and trail systems from this latest storm was significant — and the weather during this year’s fall foliage season shares in the blame. Simply put, autumn’s unparalleled, unabating heat and humidity caused leaves to stay on the trees longer, which led to greater damage to the landscape in this storm. It was another unlucky break after a foliage season that was full of them.
2017 FALL FOLIAGE RECAP
In a region renowned worldwide for the consistency of its color display, the season ended on a somewhat frustrating note for foliage fans. While our autumn outlook raised anticipation for what could have been the best season in years, our final recap falls more into the what-could-have-been category. It’s not that 2017 was a bad year for New England fall foliage, though. In fact, the fall colors were brilliant in some places and at certain times. Yes, it was late, it was short-lived, and there were some areas where, for a variety of reasons, it was muted. But for the casual observer, it was largely beautiful — and there was a lot of exceptional weather in which to explore it.
Beautiful colors emerged late this year, but in many places, the colors were still vibrant.
Credit: Jim SalgeCredit: Jim Salge It seems like a lifetime ago that this year’s fall colors began coming in early. Cool weather and an early frost over Labor Day weekend brought out early color in the hills of the far north, and swamp maples set the wetlands aglow.
Vibrant Red Maples in Wetlands Emerged Early in September This Year
Credit: Jim SalgeCredit: Jim Salge Temperatures failed to stay cool, though. Parts of northern New England recorded their first-ever true heat wave this autumn, with temperatures above 90 for three consecutive days. Traditional seasonal activities like apple picking and hayrides were postponed in favor of extra beach days, and there was little flannel to be seen at the agricultural fairs.
Warm Temperatures Allowed For Many Unorthodox Leaf Peeping Opportunities This Year.
Credit: Robert J. Kozlow
Thought the colors last year were much more brilliant and consistent throughout all areas and all types of trees.
Hi Kathleen …Iam from Wales ,UK …was in New England in the Fall 2016. Although the weather was mild the colours were very good . Hope to go back there one day .
I luckily came to Queeche Vt October 16 , usually late but found what appeared to be either the beginning or end of the season . Colors were there but not as in previous years , it was unusually warm in 70s , which made for some nice fly fishing ! I drove the Kankamangus pass in NH which had more variety . All in all a good experience . Try again next year , thx for help ! Dr G
Warm October or not these colors are beautiful.I always say this is God’s paint brush.New Englanders are lucky people.
Definitely not great north of Boston during the endless summer. Just as we finally hit peak, so did the storm with its howling winds. But despite all that, it is still beautiful. If we had not known other years, we would be thrilled with what we did get.
Worst year in awhile, frustrating trying to pictures when the foliage is so inconsistent. Reds were weak as well this year.
I finally got to see New England and I was not at all disappointed. I didn’t have leaf color as the primary goal of our trip, but we enjoyed our drive across Kankamagus the second weekend of October. We found the towns around Lake Winnepesaukee and Lake Squam delightful. Walking along The Marginal Way in Maine was breathtaking. We have to go back next year.
Thank you for your wrap up. It’s always when explaining to guests why the colors weren’t as vibrant.
I ranged pretty widely across mid-New England 10/10-14, and found the color underwhelming this year compared to past years. It was an odd combination of trees either still being green, already bare, or showing muted and dull color as the leaves just dried up. Little of the fresh, vibrant color I’ve seen in years past. Oh, well, can’t win ’em all. Still enjoyed my visit.
We visited New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine from Oct. 9 to Oct 16. We were worried that we were going to miss the color. To our amazement the trees were beautiful. Yes, in some areas we missed the color, while in other areas we were ahead of the color and in some we hit it about right. We are from New Mexico and don’t see the reds and oranges that we saw in New England. We especially enjoyed a drive from Portland, ME to North Conway, NH. And the drive along the Kankamangus Highway was beautiful. Some people told us that the color was just not as good this year, but for us it was amazing. We are thankful we had a chance to visit the area and completely enjoyed the “leaf peeping” experience.
No matter when you go, New England is always s good idea. As a 21-year-old I did an internship on a Vermont newspaper and have loved it since. And more than a half-century later we visit there every year, mostly in October. It’s a good trip even if the colors are not as brilliant as usual. And my Ohio- born wife claims New Hampshire as her favorite place. The scenery, food, culture and people are a yearly must for us—regardless of whether the colors are at their best.