2012-10-16 — /travelprnews.com/ — The most abundant foliage is found in the rolling hills of the Champlain Valley, including the Lake Champlain Islands and the Burlington area, and in the valleys of southern Vermont. In the higher elevations of central Vermont, town and village centers have some trees hanging on to their foliage, contrasting with the dark green of evergreens and the soft gray of hillsides where the leaves have fallen.
Best Bets for Late Stage (80-50%) Foliage include:
Route 2: South Hero to Alburg
Route 30: Manchester to Castleton Corners
Route 140: Wallingford to Middletown Springs
Route 133: Rutland to Tinmouth
Route 153 to Rupert, Wells and Pawlet
Route 22A: Fair Haven to Bridport
Route 30: Sudbury to Middlebury
Route 7: Middlebury to Danby
Route 5: Springfield to Norwich
Southern Vermont’s Byways: the Shires of Vermont, Molly Stark Trail and the Connecticut River Byway, from Bellows Falls southward
“Although I reported late stage color, much of these regions are early in the late stage color process….just past peak to 80%. My favorite area for late season color is the weather-protected Mettowee Valley between Poultney, Pawlet and Danby Four Corners,” notes New England Maple
Museum’s Tom Olson.
“We’re now past peak and losing leaves daily. Protected valleys are still pretty good in spots,” Washington County, Forester Russ Barrett adds. “Urban areas, parks, golf courses and school campuses might be a good bet over the next week or two.” He suggests Norwich University campus, downtown Montpelier’s Hubbard Park and the famous Hope Cemetery in Barre.
“We have lots of green here where the oaks dominate the hills by the Connecticut River,” Windsor County Forester Jon Bouton reports. “With the recent frost, they will soon be shifting through maroon to burgundy to brick red. It’s still a great time to be here. No bugs, crisp air, eggs over easy on homemade toast with this year’s raspberry jam, fresh coffee and a newspaper.”
Up north in the Northeast Kingdom, Forester Jason Nerenberg jokingly notes, “There is still plenty of color on the trees, but most of the action is on the forest floor. Who says foliage needs to be on the trees for you to appreciate it? Enjoy the leaves that are already down by walking through them loudly, even rolling in them!”
Recommended Hikes and Walks:
Emerald Lake State Park
Niquette Bay State Park
Grand Isle State Park
Fort Dummer State Park
Visit www.vermontvacation.com/fall to plan Vermont Fall Foliage travel. Helpful tools include:
• Lodging Availability & Midweek Packages…including Haunted Highways Lodging Packages
• Fall Foliage Forecaster
• Scenic Drives & Byways
• Fall Travel Tips
Leaf-peepers can also easily stay up-to-date on the color progression of Vermont’s foliage by calling the Fall Foliage Hotline at 1-800-VERMONT.
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Vermont Foliage Report: Remaining Foliage Moves South and along Vermont’s Valleys