Fall Foliage: Thoughts, Answers, and some more useful (or less) information

(Updated Oct. 20, 2012)

WHITE MOUNTAINS REGION 

If you’d like to see foliage in the White Mountains region, you need to get up there as soon as possible. Our leaf peepers here are reporting the last traces of peak color, with lots of falling leaves swirling around the landscape. With the bright reds and oranges gone, the majority of the remaining colors are rusts and yellows. Try viewing the colors during sunrise or sunset to boost up the glow a bit. Traveling the Kancamagus Highway along Route 112, Franconia Notch on Route 93, and Crawford Notch along Route 302 will reward the traveler with beautiful views no matter what the foliage is doing.

LAKES REGION

Look for peak fall color in the Lakes region right now! The vibrant reds, bold oranges and strong yellows are everywhere, and panoramic views will not disappoint those looking for the deepest colors of autumn. Lake Winnipesaukee is surrounded with stunning foliage, as are the other bodies of water in this area. Although you will see some bare trees, the majority of what is left are pastel oranges, yellows and bright greens sprinkled with hot pinks, all against a warm blue sky. You can’t go wrong no matter which road you take in your travels, but here are a few particularly scenic drives: Routes 3, 11 and 28 along the southern part of the region; Routes 25, 109 and 113 along the northern edge; and Route 171 from Ossipee to Moultonborough.

GREAT NORTH WOODS REGION

The fall foliage show is pretty much over in the Great North Woods region. Most of the colored leaves are scattered across lawns, fields and meadows, and what’s left on the trees is mainly burnished browns and shades of gold and amber. The good news is, the views are wide open and expanded with so many bare trees. Photographers will benefit from the cleared scenic vistas. Wildlife will be easier to spot as well. Increase your chances of seeing moose by traveling Route 3 from Colebrook to Pittsburg, and Route 26 through Dixville Notch. Use caution and keep your distance from these wild animals; they are very unpredictable during this rutting season. 

There are so many resources to find out when the leaves are changing.  I will attempt to list some of the ones that I find to be most useful.

Yankee Magazine has a tremendous website dedicated to Fall Foliage, not just for New Hampshire, but all of New England.  http://www.yankeefoliage.com/

The State of New Hampshire has a Fall Foliage report that can be found by clicking on the following link http://www.visitnh.gov/foliage/.

There are numerous scenic drives which one can choose.  I have been known prefer many of the back roads that the region has to offer.  My advice is that if you see a dirt road, take it.  You never know what you may find, it could be wildlife such as a Moose or a spectacular pond with the colors reflecting.  Here are some scenic choices for you:


A MULTI-NOTCH MOUNTAIN RIDE (approx. 142 miles)
This loop has several variations. From Conway, turn west on Rt. 112, the Kancamagus Highway (locals call it the Kanc), which offers 37 miles of stunning mountain scenery through the White Mountain National Forest.
In Lincoln, you can either turn north onto I-93 through Franconia Notch State Park and its soaring mountain peaks, then onto Rt. 3 to Twin Mountain and the junction with Rt. 302 OR you can continue west on Rt. 112 through Kinsman Notch to Rt. 302, which heads to Bath, Lisbon, Littleton, Bethlehem, Twin Mountain and Bretton Woods, home of the Mount Washington Hotel . Rt. 302 continues east through Crawford Notch and past some of the most spectacular scenery in the East. In Bartlett, you can turn south on Bear Notch Road, a seasonal road that connects to the Kancamagus Highway west of Conway ; or you can join Rt. 16 in Glen and follow it back to your starting point in Conway.
If you turn north on Rt. 16 in Glen , you'll go through Pinkham Notch , past the Mt. Washington Auto Road the Ride to the Sky to Gorham and the Great North Woods Ride.

Scenic Byways
Kancamagus Highway
Rte. 112, Conway to Lincoln. Part of the White Mountains Trail. Passes through the White Mountain National Forest. Colonial history and forest ecology experiences offered along the way at the Russell Colbath Historic Site and Forest Discovery Trail.
Presidential Range Tour
Rte. 116, Littleton to Whitefield, then Rte. 3 to Lancaster to Rte. 2 E to Gorham, then Rte. 16 S to Glen, Rte. 302 W to Littleton. Four state parks, numerous scenic vistas and historic villages.
River Heritage Tour
Rte. 3, North Woodstock to Rte. 175 to Waterville Valley, then Plymouth Rte. 25 and 25C to Warren and Piermont, then Rte. 10 to Haverhill to Rte. 135 and Woodsville to Rte. 112 to North Woodstock. Superb views, river recreation, agricultural heritage, period architecture. White Mountain Trail Make a loop along the Kancamagus Highway to Rte. 16N to Glen and Rte. 302 West to Rte. 3 South to I-93, the Franconia Notch Parkway to Kancamagus Highway. Views include Mount Washington, Mount Washington Resort, mountain cascades, wildlife and the Appalachian Trail.
White Mountain Trail
The White Mountain Trail is a 100-mile route offering rugged mountain scenery, three historic "notches,? 7 covered bridges, roadside waterfalls, 32 scenic outlooks and historic and interpretive sites. The trail loops from Rte. 302 to 16, 3, I-93 and 112.