2017 appears to be an unusual foliage year. Color is very late in coming with different tree species responding differently. Must be related to the warm temperatures we've had this fall. In the last week, we have seen color accelerate and it's now looking quite beautiful.
The weather has been a wonderful plus for getting outside and enjoying Vermont at this time of year. The days have been perfect for hiking through the fields or in the mountains. But the nights have been cool enough to ensure a great night's sleep. In addition, every weekend brings wonderful Fall Festivals throughout the state. Whatever your passion - arts, food, craft beer, country fairs - there's a festival just right for you. Come visit and see how much Vermont has to offer during fall.
NORTHERN VERMONT
With cool weather at the beginning of the week, the leaves in Stowe are well on the way to prime foliage colors. The majority of green leaves are making their way to a golden yellow hue, and the patches of orange and red are expanding. With a few more cool days coming up, we anticipate the colors advancing nicely, leading to vibrant foliage next week.
-- Sharon Harper, GoStowe, Stowe, VT
Still a lot of green on the UVM campus!
-- Emet Koffman, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT
Leaves are starting to fall around the Sterling Ridge cabins! (Photo by Laura Gibson)
-- Laura Gibson, Sterling Ridge Resort, Jeffersonville, VT
CENTRAL VERMONT
Foliage season has arrived in Central Vermont! The colors on Route 100 in Weston are demanding attention now while just over the hill in Ludlow the trees still show as much green as reds and yellows. It's ALL a wonderful sight!
-- Julie Wood, Golden Stage Inn Bed & Breakfast, Proctorsville, VT
We're still mostly green and brown at the harbor, but we're starting to see flames of red and orange burst out of the tops of trees. We've harvested a few of our apple trees, and occasionally some clingers add to the crunch underfoot. Across the lake some of the trees have made quick turns to rusty reds, still battling the evergreens above the Palisades.
-- Katie Ratcliffe-Lee, Basin Harbor, Vergennes, VT
SOUTHERN VERMONT
So....It's really starting! Color is popping out all around us, and the days are beautiful and clear. There is a Fireman's Sale on Saturday here in town to benefit the Grafton Fire Department. Lots of furniture, bric-a-brac, garden tools....you name it! It's a once a year event, so it is well worth a look. Hope to see you in Grafton!
-- Steven Griffiths, Assistant Innkeeper, The Grafton Inn, Grafton, VT
We still are not seeing much color here on "the Hill" at Marlboro College. Maybe when the fall weather arrives, the color will too.
-- Sarah Warner, Marlboro College, Marlboro, VT
While we await the full blast of fall's brilliant colors to continue spreading (which will come when the fall temps do), we are appreciating the beautiful pockets of foliage scattered across the mountain and surrounding areas.
Stratton's annual Columbus Day Weekend celebration will engulf the resort with festive fall fun for the whole family October 7-9. Come partake in our popular chili cook-off, craft brewfest, hay rides, pumpkin painting and live music by the Lustre Kings, Stratton Mountain Boys and Keller Williams' Grateful Grass.
-- Tom Vayianos, Stratton Mountain Resort, Stratton, VT
We have had significant addition of color in the last week, but the color is somewhat more subdued than expected at this time of year. On the ride to Manchester today, I saw some more vibrant color along Route 7. The forecast looks wonderful for the long weekend and we're planning on taking in a couple Fall Festivals - a favorite pastime at this time of year.
-- Linda Warner, Vermont.com
Here at the Manchester View, we're seeing a little color on the mountains, and the evening chill is a sign of the season of autumn to come. Winding through the village down towards Bennington there are just enough leaves turning to make it a lovely ride. Our guests always look forward to cozying up by our in-room gas and wood-burning fireplaces. We decorate for the fall with autumn plants and scarecrows. Soon the leaves will put on quite a show, and local apples and pumpkins are ripe for the picking!
-- Robin, The Manchester View, Manchester, VT