Vermont's fall foliage starts to catch up: What to know as peak approaches in some areas.

April Barton, Burlington Free Press
·3 min read

The Vermont fall foliage season has begun in earnest with color reaching all corners of the state.

In the third weekly fall foliage report (of seven), the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation shares that some of the muted early changing leaves have fallen making way for vibrant reds, and that changing colors extend to even the southernmost parts of the state now.

The report said muted yellow leaves that changed early this season due to fungal infection from a wet summer have been falling.

"The extremely wet summer caused leaf fungi on some trees, resulting in early drop of affected leaves," said Forester Ethan Tapper in a supplemental foliage article shared by Vermont Tourism. "This happens every year in varying degrees, but once the affected leaves drop, what is left gets to shine, especially given the good weather we’ve been having."

Where the leaves are changing in Vermont

The southernmost parts of the state are just starting to get pops of color, but the season is progressing more quickly elsewhere across the state.

"Sugar maples in Rutland and Washington counties are displaying nice golds and oranges across the landscape, with red maples providing their classic bright reds," the report reads. "Lots of candy-apple reds are dominating the landscape in northwestern Vermont as well, especially in low-lying areas near waterways. In the Northeast Kingdom, the red maples are really putting on a show." The report added the Northeast Kingdom could reach peak in the next week.

In Lamoille County: "Red maples have started to show off their flashy reds and sugar maples and ash trees are hinting at their golden and purplish hues, respectively," said Emily Potter, a forester for the county and the towns of Hardwick and Walden.

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Peak foliage season is drawing near. "We are right on schedule for peak foliage as we move from September to October in far northern locations, and early October for the rest of the state," the report said. The changes were delayed by warm, wet weather but in the last couple weeks, Vermont returned to seasonable temperatures with cool evenings and sunny days, putting fall foliage season back on track.

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A yellow-leaved tree stands brilliantly against the blue sky, green grass and distant mountains. Fall as seen on Sunset Hill Rd. in Williston on Sep. 27, 2023.
A yellow-leaved tree stands brilliantly against the blue sky, green grass and distant mountains. Fall as seen on Sunset Hill Rd. in Williston on Sep. 27, 2023.

See Vermont's fall foliage forecaster which predicts much of the state peaking Oct. 12 to 14.

Where and how to view the best foliage in Vermont this week

Foresters suggest getting a higher elevation vantage point to view the changing leaves now as you'll see more trees at once and because trees tend to begin their change at the tops first. Another way to maximize the experience is traversing Vermont's winding roads and recreational paths.

Recommendations this week include:

  • Up high: Mt. Pisgah and Wheeler Mountain summits in northern Vermont or central Vermont mountain towns of Warren, Fayston and the hills around Killington.

  • Drive: Backroads between Craftsbury and Glover, the 51-mile Northeast Kingdom Byway which travels through St. Johnsbury, Lyndon and Burke; the scenic Rte. 100 byway through central and southern Vermont.

  • See: Wetlands near Swanton and the Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge.

  • Walk/bike/wheelchair: Lamoille Valley Rail Trail near Swanton.

Chittenden County Forester Tapper shared his best-loved ways to view the changing leaves. "My favorite places to see foliage are driving down Nashville Road in Jericho towards West Bolton, on Honey Hollow Road in Bolton, and from the top of Camels Hump!"

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Lamoille County Forester Potter offered some best bets. "Heading toward Eden and Belvidere is usually a good bet for early color, as is traveling around Mount Mansfield from Cambridge and Stowe," she said. "Route 12 between Worcester and Elmore is another area worthy of a drive because of the expansive forest."

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's leaf changing season: Fall foliage report as September ends