State Report for September 22nd, 2007

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Accelerating Color

The color change is accelerating rapidly at the higher elevations along the spine of the Green Mountains, with mid-stage color in the north and colors brightening to early and mid-stage in central and southern Vermont.

The mountains and hillsides of the Northeast Kingdom are making a timely change this year, a pattern that flows down the length of Vermont as spotters report brightening changes at higher elevations. The higher mountain valleys in more southern areas like Weston, Stratton and Mount Snow expect a good early to mid-stage color display for the weekend.

Best Bets: The hardwood ridges and low lying swamps along VT RT 114 from Island Pond through Norton to Canaan are already at mid-stage, while southern Essex County and Caledonia County are just showing signs of early color. Higher elevations, as well as low, wet areas along Route 105 in North Troy, Newport and West Charleston in Orleans County are also showing what promises to be a spectacular foliage season.

Route 12 between Worcester and Middlesex is showing magnificent bursts of color. Red is also emerging in scattered parts of Washington County around beaver ponds and swampy areas, and some nice early color can be seen near Exit 5 in Northfield on Interstate 89.

In southern Vermont, early fall colors can be found around wetlands and bodies of water at higher elevations. Along Route 7 between Danby and Wallingford, color is beginning to emerge, especially along the western slope of the Green Mountains. In Bennington County, roads through the Green Mountain and Taconic Mountain Ranges are showing some reds and yellows in individual trees and small pockets.

In general, higher elevations will offer the most panoramic views of emerging color across the valleys, and many swamp or marsh areas will offer some of the most vivid and varied early season change.