Leaf-peeping
1So, for the last few years, my wife and I have been exploring the Northeast at this time of year for fall color. We live in Central Alabama where it’s predominantly pines, so color change is minimal.
We did the Poconos a few years back, Berkshires last year, and this year we’re in the Green mountains in Vermont.
We are staying near Smugglers Notch for a week, then headed to the area east of Montreal for several days. Even though it’s been cloudy since we’ve arrived, the color is still pretty spectacular. Plus, this area has multiple waterfalls and a ton of covered bridges.
So, my question for you, the meh community, is this:
Is the autumn color in the area you live in spectacular enough that we need to plan a trip there in one of the upcoming falls?
If that’s the case, what time of year is your peak color? What other outdoor hiking/driving/visiting activities would you recommend.
Thanks for your input.
- 3 comments, 3 replies
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I got to go to a pretty little cabin in upstate VT over the weekend. Here was my view from the front porch:
So northern VT is right now. Upstate NY isn’t there yet.
@Thumperchick
Nice. What lake? We’ve been exploring the area around Smugglers Notch down to Stowe. Went looking for moose at dusk on Belvidere pond yesterday
Jeffersonville area today, then headed to Montpelier/Barre tomorrow and Friday probably go to Shelburne since it’s supposed to be raining.
@Thumperchick
Yep, area around us has really good color at the moment. I was afraid we might be a little bit early because it’s been so warm. Evidently west of here is a couple of weeks behind. That being said, the local color is very nice even on cloudy days…
Lots of trees here in NW Oregon. Unfortunately (for leaf-peeping) most are either evergreens (that don’t change) or maples and alders (which turn dirty yellow, then brown). So - not so spectacular.
@macromeh
For us in Central Alabama the best color we got was from the (trash) “popcorn” trees (Chinese tallow) in our yard which are invasive and a PITA but very pretty (scarlet to bright yellow) none the less. We cut a big one (that was just outside our back bedroom window) down when we put the pool in. Used to love having the windows open in the fall and hearing the birds in it in the morning eating the popcorns. We still have some that pop up every now and then around the acre we own.
Like you, most of our deciduous trees go from green to brown to bare.
Mrs. & I went on a tour of NY last year. From Buffalo to the Finger Lakes, & from Schenectady up to Plattsburgh in the northeast side. We did this all over 11 days, so it was a little rushed. Unfortunately, it was a bad year for the colors they are known for, but the areas we experienced were still pretty special, to the point that we absolutely would return!
As far as colors around our area (Fargo, ND), not really so much…but we aren’t far from it…We make several leaf peeping journeys every year into the state parks of Minnesota (several close enough to be easy day/weekend trips) & Wisconsin & would highly recommend anything about & around Lake Superior/Arrowhead & northern Wisconsin. Great views & Great hikes to be had.