Leaf Peeping In New England is WICKED!
by Adrienne Columbia
New England is a beautiful place to visit all year long but arguably, the Autumn of the year is the best time. Visitors pour into New England from all over the world to join the locals in "Leaf Peeping" excursions. The climate, changes in altitude, and beautiful landscapes dotted with deciduous trees, come together to create beautiful 'canvases' of bold reds, oranges, golds and yellows.
The leaves start begin to turn from green to their glorious fall attire first in the northern most regions New England~ Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire. The changes may begin as early as the end of August with the PEAK being in mid September. The southern states of Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island and coastal New Hampshire and Maine begin to see hot autumn colors in mid to late September and reach the peak viewing experience no later than the last week in October.
Leaf Peeping in MAINE
Hiking Mt. Kineo in the Fall is a favorite among the more rugged among us. Situated on the shores of Moosehead Lake, in North and westerly Piscataquis County, there are miles of bicycle trails as well.
Acadia National Park, part of which lies on Mount Desert Island (home of Bar Harbor), is well known for it's breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean from the parking lot atop Cadillac Mountain as well as it's miles of hiking and and bicycling trails. Cadillac is 1,530 feet above sea level, the tallest mountain along the Eastern coast of the United States.
North of Bar Harbor, there is a different type of 'Leaf Peeping' awaiting you in the vast blueberry barrens where a good portion of Maine's wild blueberry crop is harvested. Long after the berries have been harvested, the low bush shrubs glossy green leaves turn to vivid shades of reds and burgundies. For additional information, the Boston Globe's article, A foliage alternative ,is a good read.
York County is the southern most county in Maine and well known for it's beaches and bustling tourist attractions in Kittery, Ogunquit, Wells, and the Kennebunks. Little known towns in the western reaches of York County offer some of the best Leaf Peeping opportunities in the state. Parsonsfield, Shapleigh and Limerick are quiet little towns nestled into the mountains and surrounded by beautiful lakes and forests. Parts of Parsonsfield offers breathtaking views of New Hampshire's Presidential Mountain Range, home to Mount Washington, the highest peak in the Northeastern United States at 6,288 feet above sea level. Autumn colors, near and far, make this little area of western York County a must for Leaf Peeping in Maine.
I have been to all the Maine locations mentioned in this post as well as many throughout New England. Here is a list of links that may be helpful in planning your LEAF PEEPING trip to New England next year.
Adrienne Columbia, aka, MsMaine: My ever changing Pinterest Board Autumn in New England
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