[austin_mommy]

Hi everyone, will be coming to Vermont on the 18th just to see the wonderful Fall colors. Will it be a tad too late? I keep reading stuff about how fall color is unpredictable. And read posts on this forum that say this year it is early.

Any suggestions on which parts of Vermont and New Hampshire have vivid fall colors that late?

[vter]

You'll want to be in Southern Vermont, or perhaps the Champlain Valley. I was just in Stowe this past weekend and the color is at it's peak now. Where will you be staying?

[flu189]

Better hope between now and the 18th we don't get rain and windy weather, otherwise you will have look at the leaves on the forest floor to see the colors. By the 18th central Vt along the Green Mountains will be past peak. As mentioned, the valleys in the south and up in the Champlain Valley should still have some decent spots if the weather cooperates.

[austin_mommy]

Would you recommend we drive further south to another place/state if the fall color is past its peak in Vermont? What might be some good spots?

[quickdraw]

I think we're having a very early foliage even in the Champlain Valley. Ten days, I'm not sure we won't be done.

I might look into the Berkshires area in Massachusetts. Lenox, Stockbridge, very beautiful rolling hills. Really quaint towns.

[nhrocky]

Here in SW NH right across the CT River from VT it was quite windy this afternoon, tons of leaves blowing off the trees, it hasn't reached peak, but I would say it should be by this weekend or early next week. Of course, rain is predicted for this week-end

[Verseau]

The foliage this year is earlier than usual, although the timing is similar to 2006, when the foliage also started abnormally early.

It's very difficult to predict whether it will be exactly the same this year, but here is a map of foliage conditions in the Northeast on October 18th, 2006:

The Foliage Network - Foliage Reports - Northeast United States

[MRVphotog]

I agree with Vter, southern Vt for sure, maybe the Champlain Valley. Me and a friend drove thru today and noticed there were some color in spots but overall it is just starting in the CV.

I have photographed the Vermont foliage for many years. I start in northern Vt, Hazen Notch is a fav, Stowe, then work my way south. I usually end around the Putney area around the second to third week in October.

This year, so far, has been one of the best in years.

[AZ4NE]

After 18 years of summer vacationing in New England, my wife and I wanted to experience fall foliage in vermont for first time. So we scheduled short 5-day vacation beginning 10/15 in Bennington and moving northward to Northeast Kingdom by 10/18. Judging from responses on these threads, however, it appears we are going to be too late to see colors. Just our luck. Would we have best luck driving north on Rt 100? We're willing to take any back roads. Thanks from two Arizonans for any suggestions.

[vter]

The Northeast Kingdom is always the first area of Vermont to "peak", usually the last few days of Sept/first days of October. You should still see some color in the Bennington area, especially in the valleys (upper elevations will probably be gone) and the NEK will be past by then. You'll still have a great time!