Peak Fall Foliage Awaits For Columbus Day Weekend

Three day weekends are a cherished American tradition, as the extra day affords many the time to get away, gather with family, or both. In New England, there are few busier travel times all year than Columbus Day weekend, as peak visitation usually corresponds to the most widespread peak in the acclaimed autumn colors. Visitors the world over join locals in leaf peeping routes throughout region, and at local fairs and festivals that celebrate the beauty and bounty of the season. And the fall color rarely disappoints. This year, the foliage has been boosted by a late spring, a mild summer growing season, and a bright sunny and dry autumn. The leaves are turning a bit early, and their colors have been bold and in many areas, overwhelmingly red. While traveling around the country-side the last few weekends, I’ve heard many regular leaf peepers remarking that this has already been one of the best foliage seasons in recent memory.

Peak fall foliage conditions can last in a location for over a week in ideal conditions, but this year, the brightest colors are lasting but a few days. Because the foliage has come on early, and especially because of the recent dry conditions, it’s also been one of the most fleeting, and many areas traditionally peaking during the holiday weekend are already a bit faded. Leaf drop was already high in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom, New Hampshire’s Great North Woods and Maine’s Western Mountains before a cold front barrelled through last Saturday, and the associated winds only accelerated their removal.

These far northern regions have now lost most of their brightest oranges and reds, but they are not without color. The landscape features distinct layers of rusts and golds, delineated by different elevations above valley floors. It is now perhaps the most beautiful time to hike in these regions, as the young beech understory is always the last to turn, yielding corridors of colors along the trails themselves.

As one area slowly fades, others emerge. The peak foliage moves as a wave from the far north southward, down slope and towards the coast. This coming weekend may offer some challenges for those looking for scenes as bold and bright as the last two though, as the band of peak foliage seems especially thin right now. These peak regions lie between what’s been windstripped and what’s still to come, and honestly, the current color is quite patchy and rather inconsistent right now. If finding true peak color is your goal this weekend, it would be best to leave yourself open to leaf peeping through a wide region.

A drive westward on the Mohawk Trail in Massachusetts will surely provide many colorful scenes before reaching the highest points, which are all passing peak. Northwestern Connecticut also has some moderate color right now, and more color coming in. In Vermont, drive from the Connecticut River Valley into the mountains will likely yield the same varied experience with moderate color a strong bet in the popular Woodstock/Quechee Region, past peak along the spine of the Greens and peak found somewhere in between. Another great driving option might be the trip from Bennington east to Brattleboro along the Molly Stark Trail.

New Hampshire is a bit more complicated, but the western highlands from Keene north through Sunapee, up to Newfound Lake and then over to Waterville Valley should offer a color patchwork that includes many areas of peak. Much of the White Mountains region is passing or past peak now, but plenty of color remains. However, the southern and eastern portions of the Whites, especially around Conway, Chocorua and Eaton have yet to see peak, with more and more color coming in by the day. The broad landscape in the Lakes Region down to the Seacoast has some moderate color, but also a lot of green yet to turn.

Northern Maine seems to be having the most consistent colors right now, while coastal and southern areas are seeing only moderate changes. Many of the Western Mountains are fading, but good color can be found on the hills that surround them. It’s still early for peak color in Acadia, but there are plenty of patches of color around the park with its incredibly variable terrain. For those less picky about finding the brightest of colors, this should be a spectacular weekend to be out and about just about anywhere in New England. Even if the color isn’t at the primest of peak, there is lots of good color, and lots of activities to enjoy while taking it in. If you picked a place on the map, and take the opportunity to go on a hike, travel to a covered bridge, visit a farm, go apple picking, take a scenic train ride, or going to a fair amidst a colorful backdrop of leaves at any stage of the color continuum, you won’t be disappointed.

When planning your route, be sure to visit our interactive foliage map, where you can view recent pictures and reports, as well as submit your own. This feature is also portable, with our foliage app for Android or iPhone!  We also have many descriptions of popular driving routes, and great hikes throughout the region. In summary, the fall color in New England is a bit more patchy than we would usually see over the Columbus Day Weekend. In the far north, the color is in layers, but has lost the brightest leaves. In the south, the color is yet to peak, with a patchwork of strong color mixed with greens. And in between, you will find areas of the fantastic peak that we’ve been treated to this year. Happy hunting, and enjoy the weekend!