The foliage progression has intensified with near-peak to full color change throughout northeastern Vermont and along the spine of the Green Mountains from north to south. Vibrant colors are also emerging in the higher elevations of southern and central Vermont as well as blossoming in central Vermont valleys. Veteran foresters report an exceptional "hyper-vibrancy," calling the colors "practically neon," and note excellent viewing throughout much of the state at this time. As Addison County Forester, Chris Olson says, "Awesome colors are rolling down off the Green Mountains, into the western foothills and the Champlain Valley."
Forest, Parks and Recreation Commissioner Mike Snyder reports, “The favorable early fall weather we've been enjoying -- great sunshine and a whiff of frost -- bodes well for continued progression of outstanding color throughout Vermont over the next two weeks as the proportion of trees with color statewide continues to increase and the quality of color intensifies.”
Look to #VTFoliage on Twitter and Instragram for current photos shared by Vermonters and visitors alike.
Best Bets (North to South):
- Route 5A, from West Charleston through Westmore to West Burke
- Route 16 from Barton to Westmore
- Route 111 or 105 through Island Pond
- Route 5 south from Barton to Orleans, then Route 58 to Irasburg
- From Lowell, Route 100 south to Route 118 in Eden, then north to Montgomery
- Route 242 from Montgomery to Jay
- Roxbury Mountain Road and East Warren Road in the Mad River Valley.
- Route 125 from Hancock west over Middlebury Gap to East Middlebury.
- Route 73 west from Rochester over Brandon Gap to Sudbury.
- Route 4 from West Bridgewater to Killington over Sherburne Pass west to Rutland.
- Route 100 in south-central Vermont from Okemo Mountain to Stratton Mountain Resort.
- Route 9, the Molly Stark Byway between Brattleboro and Bennington.