Leafpile #2 - Sept. 23rd, 2009

The second round of weekly foliage reports (for northern New England) are in and things are beginning to happen. Expect more updates within five days.

Maine - colors in the northernmost counties (zones 6 & 7 on the Maine Foliage color map) have shifted from "low" to "high" within five days. It almost always happens quickly!
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New Hampshire - Colors are changing in the northernmost counties of the state but are not at their peak just yet. Frosts contributed to some fairly rapid changes, however. Color is estimated to be at about 30% over a larger area, up from the "small pockets of color" of last week.
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Vermont - See my other post about being in a holding pattern, but: "...foliage is moving into mid-stage color in the higher elevations with varying shades of orange, russet, yellow and red. Red maples located in moist low-lying areas are close to peak color, and ash trees are beginning to turn purple-yellow."
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Raking it all in: I'm planning to head up to Aroostook County in a few days to do the St. John River Valley loop drive, something I've always wanted to do. I'll drive north on Route 1 (out of Houlton) to Caribou, Van Buren, Madawaska and Fort Kent before pointing my Toyota south on Rt. 11 to head back to Brewer. And I'll stop at Baxter State Park on the way back, naturally! The colors in Baxter aren't at their prime yet but I can't pass Millinocket and not turn west for a detour. Moose watching is something I like to do whether the leaves have turned or not.

PS - Speaking of moose, The Cozy Moose has posted some fall color tips for the Moosehead Lake region, which is nice at any time of the year. Also, some of these Aroostook-based webcams give you at least a small preview of what's happening up there.

Leafpile #1 - Sept. 17, 2009

The first round of weekly foliage reports (for northern New England) are in! Expect updates within five days.

Maine - 20% or less color change in the northernmost counties (zones 6 & 7 on the Maine Foliage color map). Other areas are showing 10% or less color change. Cooler temperatures and shorter days mean that we'll see changes soon, however.
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New Hampshire - Still pretty green overall, even in the higher elevations, with some small pockets in the north showing a 25% or less color change, "...but with a frost forecast for this weekend, that could change as early as next week."
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Vermont - Pretty much the same story as NH, with some areas of change evident in the northernmost parts of the state, also in pockets along streams and ridges in the higher elevations. However, it is described as "early color".
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Raking it all in: With little to no color change (except for a few nooks and crannies), my day trips won't be centered around fall color photography just yet. But I really like what I'm hearing. It's heartening to note that several forest rangers in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont all seem to agree that we could be in for a really nice show this year. Woo-hoo!