October 1 , 2003

October makes a colorful debut in much of northern New England and in the mountains of New York and northeast Pennsylvania as Mother Nature's brush strokes brighten the hillsides and valleys. Now is a great time to head to the northern reaches of Maine and New Hampshire, north-central and northeast Vermont, the Catskill and Adirondack Mountains in New York, the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, portions of the Berkshire Mountains in Massachusetts and the Quiet Corner (northeast corner) of Connecticut. The color change in these areas is moderate (31 to 60 percent) to high (61 to 80 percent).

Here are some colorful driving routes. In Maine: State Route 161 from Allagash through Fort Kent and on to Madawaska; State Route 11 from Fort Kent to Eagle Lake; State Route 6 from Jackman to Rockwood; U.S. Route 201 from Jackman to West Forks; and State Route 16 from Rangeley to Stratton. In Vermont: Route 2 from Danville to St. Johnsbury; and Route 5 from Barton to East Burke. In New York: Route 73 from Keene/Keene Valley to Lake Placid; Route 86 from Lake Placid to Saranac Lake; and Route 30 from Tupper Lake to Paul Smiths.

Elsewhere in the Northeast, color change is mostly low (11 to 30 percent), with some coastal regions reporting very low color (10 percent or less).

Leaf drop remains minimal throughout the Northeast.

If you have not yet made reservations for your leaf-peeping trip(s), now is the time! Check out our Places to Stay and Foliage Spotters sections to find great accommodations!

This information provided by Marek D. Rzonca, The Foliage Network. The next report will be released on Saturday, October 4, 2003.

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