Flash Foliage Map

[admin]

As you may be aware, the progression of fall color has been a bit behind schedule this year. At the moment it seems to be about 5 to 7 days off the norm. We have reprogrammed our flash foliage meter to more closely reflect the progression. Does anyone have any comment on the accuracy of its depiction since the change?

[stansisskin]

If I'm not mistaken, your new flash map seems to indicate that the Mt. Snow area had peak color this past weekend. We stayed in that area and can report that it is nowhere near peak. We drove Rt. 100 from Wilmington north past Ludlow and it was still barely mid range and not very brilliant.

[msantora]

I looked at the foliage map around 11:00 a.m. and it still showed peak in southern VT. We took a 400 mi. ride from CT yesterday. At the advice of the VT Information people on 91N, we headed in at Brattleboro, 30 to 100 to 4 to 91 south and home. Because of your beautifully done flash map I was sure we were in for a treat. We saw many beautiful green trees, brooks and lakes. Quechee Gorge was great, but green. Maybe you need to update it to show that there is no color in mid to southern VT.

[admin]

If you look at the map now and place the slider on October 7th, you will see that Woodstock is not in the area of peak foliage. The map displays peak only at high elevation, which from reports and my own experience, would seem to be about right. We could set the timing back further, but to me it looks just about right. Remember, there is a big difference between low lying areas and high altitude areas. I bet Killington is coming close to peak but the Gorge is still mostly green.

[stansisskin]

So where is high elevation in Southern Vermont? I assume it would be the Mt. Snow area. As I said in my previous post, that area was nowhere near peak as late as Monday morning, the 6th. We also took the skyline drive to the top of Mt. Equinox yesterday morning (Monday). Can you get higher than that in Southern Vermont? It was beautiful but mostly green.

[dmsr]

We will be in Windsor from this Wed to Sun and from what we read here it seems that all is still green then huh? We were given great suggestions on where to drive to see peak colors. Does anyone know about how far that would be from the Windsor area by the end of this week?

[admin]

Stan:
The VT State foliage color map and our map clearly showed a peak color indication for the Mount Snow area on October 2nd.We use the state information as do other news outlets to assemble our own reports and maps
The indication was obviously wrong. But, having said this, I must remind you that all such indicators are approximate and we do state in several places that the indicators are approximate. I am sorry that you have been misled and we'll strive for greater accuracy in the future.

Originally posted by stan:
So where is high elevation in Southern Vermont? I assume it would be the Mt. Snow area. As I said in my previous post, that area was nowhere near peak as late as Monday morning, the 6th. We also took the skyline drive to the top of Mt. Equinox yesterday morning (Monday). Can you get higher than that in Southern Vermont? It was beautiful but mostly green.

[ixl]

The color around here this year has been... strange. There are pockets that are beautiful, and other areas that are rather dull. It is actually the higher valleys in the area that are most colorful; the mountains seem drab. This may be due to the weather. I am having a hard time figuring out if we are still not yet at peak on the mountains or if it is just not going to really happen this year. I am starting to think it is the latter.

I was down at the back side of Mt. Snow today and there are areas that if anything are nearly past peak (depending on one's definitions.. I like my foliage with some green mixed in so "past peak" for me may be peak for others.)

Here's a shot near the back side of Mt. Snow, taken back on September 30th...
<img src="http://www.pcguide.com/pers/mtsnow030930.jpg" alt=" - " />

However, the color on the mountain itself is much more subdued, the higher you go.

Charles

[senthil]

We got really confused here. Stan said Mt. Snow is no were near peak and ixl posted a picture with lots of color taken on Sep 30th. We will travel from NJ to Southern VT and Green Mountain Flyer rail road. Could any one tell which week-end(10/11 or 10/18) will be good to visit? Thanks a lot for your help.

[ixl]

Sen: Sorry for creating confusion. I should have specified that this shot was taken from the back side of Mt. Snow. I was trying to illustrate that the color has been highly variable this year.

I was in the Mt. Snow valley over the weekend and the color is still not at all near peak there yet. If you are planning to spend most of your time at elevation, I would think this weekend might be better. The lower valleys such as the Bennington area are still very far from peak and the 18th would be better. --c

[pwt54]

They don't call Vermont the "Contrary State" for nothing, by the Jeezum !