Fall foliage

We have planned a trip to New England starting in Boston in mid Sept and driving for the following fortnight. From some of the forums, I am worried that we will be too early for the fall foliage! We will be in Jackson NH around 26 September having come from Rutland area of Vermont and will be moving on to Bar Harbor Maine. We will see some of the famous foliage colors, won%26#39;t we?

Fall foliage

The foliage in New England is just like the stroke of a paint brush! It also depends on the weather conditions! I would think you%26#39;d see some gorgeous colors in through Vermont at the end of September because it all starts there first! Then the beautiful foliage gradually heads down through New Hampshire, Mass and in through Maine. I live in southern NH and we have trees right out on the road that start to change to the most spectacular colors right in late August believe it or not. So you never know!

I%26#39;m sure you%26#39;ll get a lot of different opinions on this from people that live right in the areas you%26#39;re going to be in!

No matter what? You%26#39;ll really enjoy your visit I guarantee it! Late September is SUCH a beautiful time to tour through New England and you%26#39;ve certainly picked beautiful areas!

Have a wonderful time!

Fall foliage

Thanks very much for your reply - I feel happier about it now, although I realise it can change from year to year. So looking forward to our trip - but don%26#39;t want to wish the summer away!

Historically you will be doing well. The foliage seems to peak around the last weekend in September in the Bar Harbor area, it might still be a bit dull in Rutland. Rutland usually doesn%26#39;t hit peak till the second week in October. Either way it is a beautiful time of year the New England autumn air has a smell that can%26#39;t be discribed or duplicated. You will never forget it.

Actually, the foliage tends to start in northern Maine and moves south. Your best bet to hit peak in Bar Harbor is October 15-20.

For historical data (when foliage has peaked in prior years) see maine.gov/doc/foliage/whenandwhere/index.html

On this chart Bar Harbor is Zone 2.