State Report for September 25th, 2007

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Vermont Foliage Report - Foliage Display Opens Wide

ROXBURY, Vt. – Almost every area of the state will be displaying multiple stages of colorful foliage during the coming week.

Vermont Foliage Map for Sept. 25, 2007Full color is reported in much of the northern third of the state and along the higher elevation down the spine of the Green Mountains, while early stage foliage predominates in the lower Champlain and Connecticut River valleys. Those who enjoy the mid-stage patchwork of brightening yellows and reds in a mix of still green foliage will find much to enjoy along the way.

Best Bets: Route 118 to Route 105 into Richford is showing strong early color, with great contrasts between the trees and green fields around Montgomery. Route 114 between Island Pond and Canaan is also showing strong color.

Color is also coming on around Craftsbury and Greensboro with great views near Hosmer Pond and Lake Caspian. Leaf peepers who also enjoy wildlife should also keep an eye on the fences and wires for migrating hawks, and the ponds and rivers for geese. Young wildlife watchers can see lots of busy squirrels right now.

Route 15 between Underhill, Cambridge and Johnson is showing brightening shades of red, yellow and orange. Continue east on Route 15 toward Green River Reservoir in Morrisville or tour Route 108 over Smugglers’ Notch and Route 12 along the shoreline of Lake Elmore. Moose sightings are also a good possibility in the area.

Central areas of the state have early to mid-stage color, including Route 12A in Roxbury and along Route 100 in the Mad River Valley. Individual trees are nice and bright - mostly red maple on wetter soils. I-89 around the Northfield exit is also showing some nice mid-stage color. Route 12 from Montpelier to Worcester is showing lots of roadside color, especially in the wet areas and where there are clumps of staghorn sumac. Views from the highway of higher elevations are showing early changes as well. Also, the foliage is turning nicely along Route 14 between North Montpelier and Woodbury.

In southern Vermont, some of the best roads for foliage viewing include Route 9 west of Brattleboro and Route 7 between Danby and Wallingford along the western slope of the Green Mountains.