MONTPELIER, VT – Clusters of bright maples can still be found in lower elevations around the state as Vermont’s spectacular foliage season comes to a close.
Colorful foliage remains evident in lower elevation valleys, especially in town and village centers. Meanwhile, hillsides with stands of oak are showing russet to burnt umber in the last stage of fall color.
According to state foresters, river and lake valleys and lower elevations will offer the best remaining color statewide. While this will be the last formal report of the year, we hope you will take advantage of this year’s spectacular fall colors and see the closing act of the 2009 foliage season.
Best Bets: The Connecticut River Valley along the eastern border of Vermont continues to display colorful foliage. Suggested routes include Interstate 91 and Routes 5, 103, 30, and 11 along the tributary river valleys.
In Grand Isle County, Route 2 and shoreline town roads offer some beautiful late season viewing through the Champlain Islands. To the west of the Green Mountains, there’s still plenty of nice color to be seen on Route 7, especially between Middlebury and Wallingford.
In Addison County, suggestions for getting off the beaten track include Route 73 from Sudbury west to Mount Independence, Route 53 around Lake Dunmore, and Route 30 between Whiting and Poultney.
In Rutland County color continues in the valleys and lower slopes. Suggestions include Rte 7 from Middlebury down to Wallingford or Rte 4 west of Rutland to Fair Haven. Also offering good color are Rte 30 north from Pawlet to Cornwall, Rte 22A north from Fair Haven to Bridport, Rte 73 from Orwell west to Shoreham and Rte 74 north to Cornwall and Rte 140 from Wallingford west to Rte 133 from Middletown Springs south to Rupert. Also Rte 315 and Rte 153 to Wells.
At the southern end of Vermont, other still colorful routes include Routes 7A, 30, 31 and 133, and any of the town roads from Bennington north through Arlington, Manchester, and Dorset to the Poultney and Middletown Springs area.
Vermont Living encourages you to see all of Vermont. Visit our recommended inns, resorts, hotels, vacation rental lodging and campgrounds to make advance reservations.
