The Golden Age of Vermont Foliage

10-24-2007

MONTPELIER, Vt. – Areas of good color can still be found throughout Vermont at a time when we are usually heading into ‘Stick Season’ in most parts of the state. Stick Season refers to the period after foliage has finally left most of the trees and before the first snowfall covers the branches. This year, however, many of the ‘sticks’ are still brightly adorned with oranges, yellows and reds.

 

According to state foresters, river and lake valleys and lower elevations will offer the best remaining color statewide. Clusters of lingering, bright maples are still to be found in lower elevation valleys, especially in town and village centers.  Hillsides with stands of oak are showing russet to burnt umber in the last stage of fall color.

 

While this will be the last formal report of the year, we hope you will take advantage of this year’s wonderful weather and come see the closing act of the 2007 foliage season.

 

Best Bets: While many areas in Rutland County are slightly past peak, there is still much color to be seen, especially along Route 133 between Pawlet and West Rutland, as well as Route 100 in Pittsfield, and along the back roads of East Pittsford and Chittenden off Route 4. Rutland County Forester Eric Hansen says with the exception of higher elevations, you’ll find vestiges of color anywhere you go.

 

Route 30 south from Sudbury to Poultney is outstanding for this time of the year, and Route 4 east near Castleton has plenty of golds and oranges from the late changing sugar maples.

 

Peak color is evident along many areas of Route 7 from Bennington to Rutland to Middlebury. Colorful autumn reds and yellows can be found along Route 125 from Middlebury east to Bridport, Route 22A from Fair Haven to Bridport, and Route 73 from Sudbury to Lake Champlain. Also recommended is Route 53 around Lake Dunmore to Salisbury and back to Brandon on Route 7.

 

In Orange, Windsor and Windham Counties, Route 5 along the Connecticut River offers some very nice foliage viewing opportunities, as does Route 14 along the White River between East Bethel and Hartford. Suggested are Routes 30, 103, and 44 as well as any town roads from Brattleboro north to Springfield. Windsor County Forester Jon Bouton says the sumac is especially colorful with blends of yellow and red.  Sugar maples in the Connecticut River Valley are in the mid stage of change and leaf drop. Oaks will soon be turning red-brown in unison, while many saplings are now bright red.

 

In northern Vermont along Interstate 89 from the Canadian border south to Burlington, beautiful color can be seen along the western slope of the Green Mountains. You’ll also find plenty of color on Route 116 from Williston to Hinesburg to East Middlebury.

 

There is also an abundance of gold, copper and burnt gold in central and northern Vermont, including Route 15 between Jericho and Cambridge, Route 108 between Jeffersonville and Stowe, Route 100 between Warren and  Moretown, and Route 12 between Montpelier and Northfield.

 

Dozens of continuing and special fall events are listed in the Events Calendar of the Vermont Travel Planner at www.VermontVacation.com/fall.

Also available on the website are several tools for planning a Vermont Fall Foliage tour:

• Fall Foliage Forecaster
• Lodging Availability Forecaster
• 20 Scenic Drives
• Fall Travel Tips

 

 

Look for the first report on next year’s foliage season in September 2008.

 

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