Vermont has erupted in color. Where to find the best fall foliage this week.
Much of Vermont's landscape turned as colorful as it will get all year in the past couple of weeks. It's far from over, though — there are still some regions just now hitting peak fall foliage season.
The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation tracks the color progression across the state and shares their findings in the weekly Fall Foliage Report published on the Vermont Tourism website, vermontvacation.com.
In the report, the department said that while fall colors may have come on gradually this season, "outrageous peak conditions" had the northern two-thirds of the state exploding in color the first weeks of October.
There is still color to come in particular parts of the state and among certain species of tree.
"Vermont’s late-blooming foliage species are now taking center stage. Aspen, beech, and tamaracks are turning brilliant shades of yellow, while oaks and maples in the western and southern tiers should deliver prominent reds for a few more weeks, especially in the Champlain Valley and southern regions," the report from Oct. 17 said. "Standout color is holding strong, particularly in lower elevations, along the western flank of the state in Franklin, Chittenden, Addison, Rutland, and Bennington counties, as well as southern Windham County."
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Best destinations for Vermont fall color this week
The forest department recommends heading to southern and western Vermont for the best fall foliage viewing this week. Suggestions for driving routes and scenic hikes were included.
Take a drive:
Vermont 11 near Bromley Mountain
U.S. 7 and Vermont 7A from Wallingford and Dorset to Manchester
Vermont 9 from Brattleboro to Bennington
Roads traveling along the Taconic Mountains
Hike:
Explore trails at the Merck Forest & Farmland Center in Rupert.
Reflect at the Japanese garden in Taconic Mountains Ramble State Park in Hubbardton.
View lake-reflected color at Emerald Lake State Park in East Dorset. (Note: park at the gate for off-season access.)
Hike Mt. Philo State Park in Charlotte.
Contact reporter April Barton at abarton@freepressmedia.com or 802-660-1854. Follow her on Twitter @aprildbarton.
This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Vermont fall foliage update: Where leaves hit peak color this week
