Fall Foliage
2009 Foliage Season Comes to a Close
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"Clusters of bright maples can still be found in lower elevations around the state as Vermont's spectacular foliage season comes to a close. |
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REPORTS FROM AROUND THE STATE:
Northern Vermont:
October 13, 2009
"We still have foliage in Northern Vermont, tho past peak. Colors mostly oranges, yellows and browns, with some reds in the lower elevations. A wonderful time to visit if you want to escape the crowds yet still enjoy all the outdoor activities we are famous for!! Below freezing temps forcasted for evenings, with highs in the 30's and 40's during the day. Come and enjoy it before the snow covers it all in November!!"
Jay Kerch, Owner
The Phineas Swann Country Inn, Montgomery Center, Vermont
October 15, 2009
"Here is a morning look at the lake with a little fog remaining and the mountain colors in the distance taken Monday morning, 10/12/09 with one of our cottages.
The colors continue. Our guests have enjoyed the contrast between the remaining foliage colors and the white that still remains on some of the nearby mountain tops. Jay Peak Ski Area has a wonderful look with the remaining colors and the ski trails highlighted in white.
The strength of the colors is declining. Our weather conditons will control how quickly the colors fall to the ground.
Have a great week."
Roy Clark, Innkeeper
WilloughVale Inn on Lake Willoughby, Westmore, Vermont
Central Vermont:
October 21, 2009
"Spots of brilliant color are still evident throughout the lower elevations of Addison and Rutland Counties. Particularly bright colors can be seen on the westerly facing slopes of the Green Mountains just north of Brandon. Yesterday as I was driving along Foote Street in Middlebury I notice beautiful colors in the valley behind the Foster Farm. For all you leaf lovers this may be the last weekend to catch a glimpse of this years spectacle of Color. Hope to see you all soon."
Guy Rossi, Director of Marketing
Middlebury Inn, Middlebury, Vermont
October 14, 2009
"The true meaning of fall when you live in the mountains. As I arrived at work this morning the sun was shining and I had a great view of Killington. As I hear the snow guns in the distance I know that our winter is just days away. We have gone past peak here but the mountains have plenty of orange left in them. Did I mention some of the white snow that makes this time of the year special. I feel so lucky to be able to see such beauty. If you are in the area Killington Peak is should not be missed."
Brian Halligan, Director of Marketing
The Inn of the Six Mountains, Killington, Vermont
Southern Vermont:
October 22, 2009
"Although most of the color has muted on the mountains, there are pockets of beautiful yellows and golds in the more secluded areas of Rupert (Merck Forest) and Old Bennington. I spotted a gorgeous array of color on one of the backroads near Pawlet. A protected knoll was still in full bloom and it was enhanced by a row of white hay bales."
Sharon O'Connor, Owner/Guide
Backroad Discovery Tours, Manchester, Vermont
October 8, 2009
"The colors are of a magnificent gold. The rains and wind took away some of the leaves in the area, but there is still plenty of foliage to be seen in the region. Yesterdays mix of rain and sun brought us many glorious rainbows, adding to the delight of the fall foliage. Here you see one of the rainbows towering over the alpacas at the Bromley View Inn."
Kami & Kevin Golembeski, Innkeepers
Bromley View Inn, Bondville, Vermont
Best Bets: During the earliest part of foliage season, viewing is more about elevation than location. Your best chances for spotting color are to 'get high' or 'get low.' Higher elevations with panoramic views will allow you to spot smatterings of color in the valleys below. Alternatively, you can 'get low' - marshy areas near bodies of water typically offer the first areas of foliage change and also offer a wide variety of tree species which enlarges the palette of early season colors.
Helpful Tip: Plan Ahead!
Foliage season is a very popular time to visit Vermont, so if you want to stay in a particular place on a particular weekend, call in advance to make sure rooms are available. Having your lodging plans made in advance will avoid unnecessary stress and allow you to enjoy your foliage season odyssey. Also too, it is a good idea to make dining reservations as early as possible in the day or even the night before.
When To Come For 'Peak' Foliage:
There is no one 'perfect' time to visit Vermont to see peak foliage. Color change begins in mid-September and runs through the first two to three weeks in October and varies by elevation, progressing from north to south and higher to lower elevations during the course of the season. As such, there are many 'peaks' so that you can make your plans based on the timing and location that works for you.
Science Behind the Leaves Changing Colors:
During the short summer months, broad-leafed trees such as maples, oaks and birches produce food to nourish themselves for growth. They do this through a process known as photosynthesis, using the energy of the sun to produce food. As the days grow shorter in early fall, the increasing periods of darkness trigger leafy plants to slow down photosynthesis and stop growing. A pigment in the leaves called chlorophyll (which gives leaves their green color) is used in photosynthesis, so the slowing of this process means there is less green pigment. But leaves contain pigments other than green, called carotenoids and anthocyanins. Once the greens fade, carotenoids are revealed (yellow, orange, and brown colors), anthocyanins and are produced (red and purple colors).
Certain colors are characteristic of particular plant species. Red maples live up to their name by turning scarlet, while most sugar maples glow a warm orange. Aspen and birches display sunny yellows, while oak and beech leaves turn bronze and gold. Most of Vermont's fall foliage color is provided by red and sugar maples, two resilient tree species that constitute more than 50 percent of our forest's trees. You can find even more details on leaves and their changing colors, courtesy of the US Forest Service: How Leaves Change Colors
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