Need suggestions about timing and scenic drives in NEK

[snowglobe]

Hi,

I will be driving from central NH through the Northeast Kingdom to Quebec city on this Thursday 24th September and I will possibly have another chance to visit NEK on Sunday 27th September, I have the following questions:

1. Based on the current state of foliage, do you think it's worth taking a side trip on my way to Quebec city on 24th to visit places close to I-91 like Lake Willoughby, Crystal lake and etc. ?


2. On Sunday 27th September, we will have the whole day for a scenic drive. I am thinking about driving from Glen, NH (where we will be staying on Saturday's and Sunday's night) through Crawford Notch, Lyndonville, Island pond, Rt 105 to North Stratford, Rt 105/ Rt 3 / Rt 110 to Gorham, NH and then back to Glen, NH.
Does this sound like a good route? (Is it worth going further from Island pond on Rt 114 to Canaan and Colebrook, NH?)

We are planning to use Monday (28th) to explore Kancamagus highway and Franconia Notch. It seem like the NEK will reach peak during late September while the White Mountain region will be a bit behind -- that's why we are currently planning to drive through NEK on 27th instead of staying around the white mountain.

Any recommendations is appreciate!

[wentworth]

well, since we are doing almost the exact same thing at almost the exact same time, I'd say that it sounds good to me

[snowglobe]

Wentworth: What a coincidence! I should also say that since we are doing almost the exact same thing at almost the exact same time, it sounds fabulous!

Abby: I was in Lake Willoughby and East Burke area two years ago during the first weekend of October and it keeps calling me back since then! Such a beautiful area.

I actually saw your photos taken near Pittsburgh linked from this forum (probably including the two photos you posted here) that 's why I plan to drive down to Glen passing through Pittsburgh, Colebrook and Dixville Notch on Saturday 26th September! What I would like to know is if there is anything interesting north of Island pond to Canaan, VT?

[wentworth]

Great pics abby!

[faxmachineanthem]

Agreed, I love that shot of that waterfall.

[ctyanky]

Carol: this picture of the cows against this blazing autumn scene takes my breath away!

Is it for purchase? Would you please autograph it?

You are quite the photographer!!!

[pwt54]

I drove the Kancamagus Highway at the same time last year and the colors were good on the bottom and great on top. Your trip looks good, but keep checking in. Some of us will be wandering around northeast VT in the next few days.

[snowglobe]

pwt54: You must be the famous Phil then! (sorry I am a newbie here!), thanks for encouraging info. I was driving on Kancamagus Hwy on the first week of October in 2007 and it was too late for the foliage! Though, the other parts of the white mountain are still gorgeous.

[pwt54]

I’ve had a chance to review your tours. There is early color in the Barton/Glover area. I can’t get up there to check out before you leave so I can’t vouch for the color around there now. I do like route 114 between Island Pond and Norton and between Wallace Pond and Canaan, but the area between Norton and Wallace Pond is only so-so for color. I would, however, pick that route over the route 105 and route 3 drive to Colebrook. Because I’m a really big fan of route 145 between Pittsburg and Colebrook, what I would do is drive route 114 to Cannan and to route 3 in NH. Turn right and drive route 3 north to Pittsburg village and look for route 145 on the right side,. Drive that to Colebrook and then route 26 from Colebrook to Errol. ( I should probably warn you about the “whoop-de-doo” in the road in Clarksville. Don’t eat anything heavy in Pittsburg before you start route 145. I will not tell you exactly where it is so I won’t spoil your fun. ) Route 16 from Errol to Milan is good, but below there is all built up. If you have the time and are feeling frisky, you could continue route 26 to route US 2 in Bethel Maine, and then take route US 2 back to Gorham. Your plan for the 28th is a good one so stick with it. The colors in that highland area is about the same as the NEK.

[pwt54]

When you get to route 3 in New Hampshire, you turn LEFT to get to Pittsburg.

[snowglobe]

Thanks Phil! will definitely do Route 145, I would like to visit the Beaver Brook falls on that route too.

I was actually planning to drive down Rt 16 from Error per suggestion in this forum (They believe that there are a dense population of mooses over there)

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g2 ... shire.html

Now I have a dilemma! What's interesting about Rt 26 and Rt 2 into Bethel, Maine?

[pwt54]

There are lots of moose on both 16 and 26. The only reason I mentioned routes 26 and US 2 is for an alternative and because route 16 through berlin and into Gorham is a bit boring. Route 16 is a great drive until you get to Berlin, so it will be worth the drive.

[rk]

Hi snowglobe

If you do drive Kancamagus please share your trip experience on this thread

I am planning to drive kanc on October 3rd

Thanks,
rK.