Oct 13-15.....please help, freaking out

[Snookman2]

So I originally planned our trip for these dates thinking they would be good based on looking at archived foliage map reports at The Foliage Network. Since I've been reading archived posts on this board and the consensus seems to be that those dates are late. I can't change the trip at this late juncture.....so I'm freaking out. Somebody help calm my nerves and tell me it's going to be ok. I'm staying in Woodstock.

[Andy]

No sense freaking out. Your lot is cast. Nothing you can do about it. So make the best of it. I have made several trips to Vermont under those circumstances. You simply cannot predict the foliage progression that closely. The Vermonters will tell you that that is "late" for the Northern part of the state. My Uncle, an 85 year old native who has never lived anywhere else has told me the first week in October is the best bet for the Northern part of the state. I was there the first week in 2005 and the second week in 2006. Neither was prime. You just cannot predict

What we can say is that there is a foliage progression. It comes in two flavors: North to South and Higher Elevations to Lower Elevations. I am pretty confident that you will find some of Vermont's foliage in the Woodstock area, or south of that. What you will also find is that even if you don't hit that "peak" foliage, you will find many wonderfully beautiful scenes in Vermont.

Best is to watch this forum closely, starting in late September. You will get first hand updates on an almost daily basis about where things are happening.

[ixl]

Since I've been reading archived posts on this board and the consensus seems to be that those dates are late.

That's because most of the people on this board try to go to the Northeast Kingdom, the northeastern corner of the state, which is the second fastest* large area to change color. They usually peak at the start of October.

Peak foliage in the state varies from around the last few days of September to later than October 20th, depending on the year. You are in the latter part of that range, and unless we have a freakishly early year, you will find good color somewhere. You may have to do a bit of driving, but you aren't too late.

So relax.

This image was taken on October 25th, 2007:



* The route 9 corridor in southern Vermont is usually faster; ironic since so many people south of the state drive right past it without looking, in their hurry to get to the NEK...

[pwt54]

Woodstock is a good place to be at that time. Route 106 south to route 11 should be nice. Take route 11 from route 106 west to Chester and then take route 35 south from Chester through Grafton to the end at route 30 in Townshend. You may want to stop in Grafton and walk around. Take route 30 west all the way to route US 4 in Castleton, and then take route US 4 east back to Woodstock. OR as an alternative ride; take route 30 west to Pawlet and then take route 133 north to route US 4 in West Rutland and then route US 4 east to Woodstock. Route 133 has a more "country" feel to it. The route 100 corridor may be gone by because it's in the heart of the Green Mountains.

[ixl]

Route 100 will almost certainly be long over with by then.

SE Vermont and SW Vermont should be good, as well as the immediate Lake Champlain area.

[Snookman2]

Thanks for the replies. I'm feeling a little better about this. I don't really care whether it's the NEK or the southern part of the state, I just want to see some good foliage. So it seems that I should have pretty good odds of finding it somewhere during that time frame. I'm based in Woodstock which I chose for it's central location and I'm prepared to drive wherever from there.

One thing I can do is rearrange my itinerary so that I'm in Vermont 12-14 instead of 13-15. We're spending one day in Maine and right now it's on the 12th. I can instead move that Maine day to the back end of the trip. It's a little less convenient for travel reasons but it's doable. So is it worth it to try to move everything up a day? Does the foliage potentially change that fast during this time period that it will really increase my odds by moving things up by just one day?

My other question is: If during that time period, the higher elevations are finished, but the lower elevations are good, can you go up to the higher elevations and look back down at the valleys for spectacular long range foliage views?

[ixl]

So is it worth it to try to move everything up a day? Does the foliage potentially change that fast during this time period that it will really increase my odds by moving things up by just one day?

Generally it makes no difference; it's possible that weather could make a particular day better or worse but obviously we are too far out for that.

On the other hand, shifting your day in Maine by over a week would be noticeable. Where in Maine will you be?

My other question is: If during that time period, the higher elevations are finished, but the lower elevations are good, can you go up to the higher elevations and look back down at the valleys for spectacular long range foliage views?

Certainly.

IMO, if you have a choice between catching peak in the valleys and mid elevations or catching it up high, you're better off in the valleys. There's more to see and do, and just more real estate down low in general. The times I've rushed up north super early, I've usually ended up wishing I'd waited.

[Snookman2]

On the other hand, shifting your day in Maine by over a week would be noticeable. Where in Maine will you be?

Well, we're not going to Maine for foliage. We're going to the White Barn Inn in Kennebunkport for dinner to celebrate our anniversary. We may have part of an afternoon over there. I figured I just look around the Kennebunkport area.

[pwt54]

Stick with your original plan. You should have some colorful foliage traveling east from Kennebunkport to VT.

[pwt54]

[/quote]My other question is: If during that time period, the higher elevations are finished, but the lower elevations are good, can you go up to the higher elevations and look back down at the valleys for spectacular long range foliage views?

Yes, you can. Route 30 from Townshend west to Manchester goes through the highlands near Bromley Mountain. You could also take the toll road up Ascutney Mountain or the chair lift to the top of Killington Mountain for an even better view.

[Snookman2]

Thanks pwt54, ixl, and others! You have succeeded in calming my nerves! I'm feeling pretty good about my trip now. MMVT, great point about avoiding the crowds, I'm also a fan of that. I'm sure it'll make getting around a lot easier.

pwt54 or anyone else, is there a particular route that you would recommend coming from Kennebunkport? Should I hit Lake Winnipesaukee? I basically have from first thing in the morning till mid to late afternoon when I can check into my B&B in Woodstock to explore and sightsee.

[ixl]

Ask again when we get closer and have an idea of what's up foliage wise.

[wentworth]

If we have a late fall, like 2007, then you should be fine

[ixl]

He'll be fine even if we don't have a late fall.