|
Foliage
Report #12
|
October 12, 2002
This year's foliage season continues to be an unsolved mystery. Many areas throughout the Northeast have noticed a vast difference in color change in trees of the same species. While some trees are showing a great deal of color, some are still maintaining their green hue. This will make if very difficult to quantify "peak" conditions. We at The Foliage Network continue to encourage leaf peepers to not get too caught up in the "peak madness". There is much more to the foliage season than just peak. The mix of yellows, oranges, reds, browns and greens offers a fantastic contrast.
Now is a great time to enjoy the foliage in much of northern New England and the mountains of New York State. Peak color can be found along western Maine, northern New Hampshire, much of northern Vermont, and the higher elevations of the Catskill Mountains in southeastern New York. High color (61 to 80 percent) extends to central Maine, the midsection of New Hampshire, much of Vermont and the Adirondack and Catskill Mountains in New York State. Other locations in the region are reporting a mix of low (11 to 30 percent) and moderate (31 to 60 percent) color change.
If you are looking for some scenic drives, the following should not disappoint. In Maine: Route 16 from the New Hampshire border east to Route 27 and then Route 27 north to the Canadian border; Route 201 from West Forks, ME north to the Canadian border. In New Hampshire: Route 26 in Colebrook, NH east to Errol, NH; the Kancamagus Highway (Route 112) from Lincoln, NH, east to Conway, NH; Route 2 from Lancaster, NH, east to Shelburne, NH; Route 302 from Littleton, NH east to Conway, NH. In Vermont: Route 2 from the New Hampshire border west to Montpelier, VT. Route 16 from Barton, VT south to Route 15; Route 100 from Troy, VT south to Waitsfield, VT. In New York: Route 28 from Old Forge, NY to Blue Mountain Lake, NY; Route 73 from Route 87 to Saranac Lake, NY; Route 28 from Route 357 to Phoenicia, NY.
Leaf drop is low in much of the region with moderate levels where the foliage has progressed. The leaf drop is not yet a detriment to foliage viewing with an abundance of leaves remaining on the trees.
This information provided by Marek D. Rzonca, The Foliage Network.
