I'm driving to WBB in a couple weeks for a month or so and I was thinking about watching the leaves turn colors north of New York.
Anyone know what it might be like the week after WBB? I know the weather and temperature has everything to do with it and I won't hold anyone to it happening or not. Just wanting to plan the second half of my trip before heading home.
I've been everywhere in the US except north of New York. Guess it's time to eat some Maine lobster.

Jeff- don't know about up north but in VA and WV the colors are usually bursting in mid to late October so would think that north would already be done. Hell I think it has already started snowing in Maine by October 1st:D
scott

Feyd lives in Central NH. Absolutely beautiful country up his way with the Presidential Mountains all around (Mt. Washington, etc.). There is enough elevation change around there that I suspect there'd be all sorts of variety at that point. I grew up in So. VT not far from there and that would be a nice time there too, again as you mentioned, weather, moisture, etc. dependent. I know it has been comparatively dry in New England this year which will affect the colors (more browns and goldens perhaps).

Sounds like a great trip Jeff!

Scott, it's snowing in Montana already. Thinking about taking the street tires off the truck and putting the monster truck mud/snow tires on for the trip. Wish they were a bit quieter going down the road.
If nothing else I can always make a decision after the bash. Maybe flip a coin, heads north-tails south. OBX is always nice. Might even stretch things out and make it to DBBB for some turkey. so many possibilities.......

flexible plans are always the best ones...so many possibilities on the right coast on the way to that lobster
i can help w/ all breweries

If it is autumn colors you are after, as well as a delicious lobster, then you may want to consider heading to Maine via the The Kancamagus Highway after WBB. It is a pretty stunning 35 miles of roadway in the White Mountains of northern New Hampshire, and this could be 'the year' for great colors. The views heading up, over, and down the pass are far and wide, and even if this is not 'the year', there would be plenty of color to see.

Kancamagus Highway is spectacular. Another nice loop is Rte 95 to 16 to 302 to 93 as you wrap your way around the Kanc and through the White Mountains via Conway, Franconia, and Lincoln.

come on up Jeff

The foliage this season is going to be pretty muted here in the Mt. Washington Valley. The drought conditions have really done a number and many of the leaves are simply curling up and dropping off. Areas of swamp maple that are usually in full affect right now are completely changed over but the red is so muted you don't notice them much.

The colors won't "pop" like usual but they should still be pretty nice. Especially north of the notches where it s cooler and they've had more rain.


Attached is a shot from last year.

Holy crap! You are way too high up that way too steep hill! To think I thought we were all crazy for power kiting. Is kiting your relaxing sport for when you can't ride the bikes? Lol

hill? A cliff.

Great shot.
Reminds me of Welch- Dickey Loop.

It's not just the leaves worth coming up for. It the whole terrain:

Lakes, rivers, cliffs, waterfalls, flumes, boulders, mountain road drives, possible snow ...

Hey Jeff,

I hope you can pull this off. You will be living my dream trip if you hang out and include Dead Bird on the way back.

Personally, I want to visit Boston and Nahant in between. Such a great crew there. I suspect if any of us from the Left Coast announced we would be visiting a few folks would join up to welcome us to their beach!

I have never liked the idea of a SCHEDULE, but we do need to have some structure in life.
This trip has been in the works for over 5 months with a couple of issues that have to be dealt with. It has changed a number of times with WBB being in the middle of the trip. The rest is up in the air.
Looks like the trip will start at a beach in Oregon for a day of buggy riding then off to Alvord for a day or two. Hope to see a bit of Zion, Arches, etc then off to New York. Might head north for a few days before WBB.
Not sure of the return trip as its open to flip a coin for direction.
You guys have some great ideas that will help the coin flip, good thing I have a 2 headed coin.
Might not decide until we check out of the Shalimar. Defiantly won't go were its raining.......

If your passing by Boston make sure to ride Nahant with us.

Nahant...


Free Parking(now-post season) -a kite lines length from car to the sand !! Restaurant on beach and Dunkin' Donuts.

Both onshore and offshore gives full beach length riding on a spit out to Island.

We gladly accept 'foreigners'.:D

Quote: Originally posted by kteguru

If your passing by Boston make sure to ride Nahant with us.

OMG, Dean is that you? When they hit WW, if you go out to Nahant, let me know and I'll join you. Its been way too long. Be well, my friend.

FWIW , I went riding north of the notches this weekend. Generally the colors are about 1-2 weeks ahead of us so I figured it would be a good indicator of what we will see this season foliage wise.

As expected, the colors are VERY muted. The colors are there, but super dark. Where we usually have blazing reds and oranges, we have burgundies and yellows. It's still pretty, in a different way than what most would come to see. Along rivers, better colors but still nothing like we usually see.

Usually we do a fair amount of guiding during foliage season. After what we saw Saturday, we've decided to take a road trip. Leaves are dropping here already. Haven't even changed yet, just dropping off. This lack of rain is taking a toll for sure
.

This all said, as SMW points out, it's still worth the trip to see the sights. Get a look at where those of us here in the mountains ride. The scenery, even without vibrant fall color, is worth the trip.

Update on Colors. The foliage forcasters were all saying that it was going to be a bad season. And in some places, it is. But by and large the colors are coming out. In fact some seem more vibrant than ever!

See the attached shot from yesterday as I was driving home. Had to stop just to shoot a sample. Wind is coming Monday so much of this will be gone but further south should be good for another week.

Pretty....pretty..pretty... good.







That looks like the 'Kanc' highway...

Coming Back Through Crawford. It's turning out to be one of the weirdest foliage seasons on record. The way the droughts have affected certain areas, they are turning earlier than normal. While areas that are north of us got some rain this summer and are turning on schedule. So for the first time in most folks memories, the entire region is changing at the same time. Not the normal North to South wave of change we're familiar with.

Town is a zoo. The highways, zoos. I can't even imagine what the drive over the Kank would be like. Beautiful, treacherous and frustrating. :evil:

I have to head up to the kingdom for clinics this weekend. Looking forward to the drive in the early AM.

Went through Tennessee today and parts of the road were rather spectacular with the reds and yellows while other spots were totally green or mostly brown.
Looks like the New England trip will be Saturday to Monday ending at the shalimar on Tuesday.
I know it will be spectacularly awesome.

Perfect timing Today some of the trees that were most vibrant lost many of their leaves. Our seasonal views of the mountains are showing through. The low sun keeps us in the shade this time of year. After I get back from work this weekend I suspect the leaves will be down and the house will get full sun again.

Won't be long till snow flies.

Quote: Originally posted by Feyd

Won't be long till snow flies.

BRING IT!

Mt. Washington was closed yesterday due to snow and ice. Not sure of the reasoning behind the rules. My truck is not allowed because it's to long a wheel base and it's to aggressive??????
I'm ready for the snow, one way or the other.

We got off the hiway and did a great job of "wondering aimlessly around the country side". It was like driving through a kaleidoscope tunnel of light green, dark green, yellow, brown, orange, red leaf trees with brown, white and black bark. QUITE SPECTACULAR!!!!
I was told by a guy in Arlington, Vermont that all good "leaf pickers" come and plug up the roads while the locals try to live a normal life. BOO HOO. You don't know what you have till it's gone....
If my trip ends today, it was worth the drive. I can die a happy big kid. :D

Quote: Originally posted by bigkid

If my trip ends today, it was worth the drive. I can die a happy big kid. :D

Lot of wisdom right there. Also, this mindset is probably one of the better ways to assure many more and very good days to come...

Mt Washington Auto Road will close at last minute due to their evaluation of road conditions at top, or bad weather- which can be remarkably different than whatever the weather at base. They sometimes will just open it to half way point.

But they also have rule on vehicle size and types to prevent road damage, make two vehicles going opposite travel directions passable, prevent vehicles getting disabled from stress of climb or...?

It is very narrow road in places with little room for even standard size cars to pass by opposing direction.

But you weren't allowed even if weather and road conditions allowed it to be open because of you vehicle size/type? yup...happens to bigger vehicles.

Too bad... as it is fairly spectacular on CLEAR weather day, which is not most of time.

Hard to believe they have individual timed car race to top of such a dangerous road. Record: 6 minutes 9 seconds.

But in consolation.....there are some mountain pass /notch drives that are quite nice...and free!

Big Kid. What make/model do you drive?

Quote: Originally posted by Feyd

Big Kid. What make/model do you drive?

2003 Dodge Ram 4door Diesel 4x4 p/u. It's my daily driver.
Maybe next time I'm in the area I can try again.

Is it blue?

if you drive past Pepes in New Haven and dont stop for a clam pizza...your doing it wrong