Planning around my fixed reservations @ Stowe & Lyndon :-(

[abhi]

Hi all,
I have been reading all the posts/updates here: thank you for sharing!
I am travelling with my wife and 2.5 yr old and have a reservation @ Boston tonight, 2 nights @ Lyndon starting tomorrow and another two nights @ Stowe after that before we go back to Boston .

(Edit: We are outside the window of being able to change these reservations, so these are mostly fixed !
Oh well)

Looking at the updates here, it looks like NEK is past peak and Stowe is looking somewhat ok?
I saw Waitsfield is looking good. Plus there is the rain tomorrow to make things even more interesting!

We were in Vermont way past peak 3rd week of October (2010) and we still had a blast. And we are trying to show our little one why her Dad & Mom love Vermont so much !!! So although we may have missed the peak viewing by a week or so, we are looking for ways to manage with what we have low. (in other words, staying in Vermont for this trip!)

Per the advise here, the key is to now focus on the southern locations and lower elevations and or even maybe the western regions closer to lake chamberlain. Any specific spots/drives you recommend within a 2 hour driving distance (one way) of Stowe or Lyndon?

should I eliminate all northern spots completely?

I am not looking for large swathes of color. Small patches work fine for us Mother nature does what she wants to and we wouldn't want it any other way!

Finally, How is Darling Hill Rd specifically?
(I have a soft spot for Tree tunnels!)

Thank you once again,
rgds,
Abhi

[From_the_NEK]

The tree tunnel on Darling Hill near the Wildflower Inn may still be good since those trees turn so late. It would be worth a drive there to check it out. Sunday morning may give you better light in that area. Maybe I'll give it a peep after work today and let you know .

Right now with the upcoming rainy/windy weather tomorrow and tomorrow night, it is hard to tell where there will be decent leaves left. Southern areas and Champlain Valley may be the best bet but you may also find some pockets of color in the Connecticut River valley. While you are in the Lyndon area, I would look around the NEK East drive since it covers the CT river valley.
Save the Champlain Valley for a trip out of your Stowe location.

[pwt54]

I was down in the Peacham area today. The color is still good. The tailend of peak color. If the storm tomorrow isn't too bad the color should hold up for a few days. Color gets better farther south of Peacham. I drove route 25 from Bradford, VT to route 302 in Topsham. Better color. Route 302 west to Barre still good.
Stowe was peak last Tuesday. It may be past peak when you get there. South of there in Waitsfield the color was prepeak. Should be good for early next week. I'd drive route 100 south to route 125 west in Hancock and drive route 125 to route 116 north in East Middlebury. Then drive route 116 north to route 2A north of Hinesburg. Drive route 2A to I-89 and take I-89 south back to exit 10 to get back to Stowe.

[From_the_NEK]

The tree tunnel on Darling Hill is still fairly green. The outer/upper leaves have changed but the interior leaves have a few more days to go. Note that the trees there are silver maples and they never get very brightly colored. Most of the time they turn a yellowish color. It can be good if caught near sunrise and sunset.

[abhi]

Thank you all so much! I will definitely keep you all posted.

Appreciate the detailed and specific answers !!
I think I will wait till Monday morning to do darling hill road.

Will read through the other threads mentioned here and also
The tree tunnel thread to find other tunnels that may be in
Good condition !

Thanks once again!
Abhi