Maine Autum Maple Foliage. Copyright © 2003 Eric Holsinger
Foliage in Maine is difficult to predict, but usually reaches peak sometime around the last week of September through the first weeks of October. The difference between peak foliage in northern Maine and southern Maine can be weeks. And once the leaves turn, it may last only a few days before they’ve passed.
So how does a visiter to Maine plan a fall foliage tour?
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Acadia National Park is the only national park in New England and was the first one established east of the Mississippi. In the summer months it attracts visitors like a magnet. But by fall quiet space is easier to find especially if you’re prepared to camp and hike in the park.
This is my favorite Massachusetts scenic drive, but especially during the fall foliage season.
Stretching for 63 miles from the Massachusetts-New York border to Millers Falls on the Connecticut River is a stretch of road known as The Mohawk Trail. It offers one of Massachusetts most beloved and popular fall foliage scenic drives area.
Attractions in the region of the Mohawk Trail are Mount Greylock, The Bridge of Flowers, Glacial Potholes, a natural marble bridge formed by erosion, state forests, old Indian hiking trails, and a plethora of country inns, gift shops, and arts and craft attractions.
The trail more or less follows the footpath trade and travel route used by the peoples in this part of the northeast since postglacial age. The path was well trodden and used to move between the Hudson and Connecticut River valleys.
Anytime of the year traveling this same path by road through this part of the Berkshire Hills is relaxing and inspiring… but especially during fall foliage season when everything is cloaked and carpeted in vibrant autumn colors.
This fall foliage scenic drive covers most of the major attractions and plenty of time for stopping and admiring the view or picking up an antique or two. The drive is approximately 65 miles but you should allow all day for viewing in an unhurried and gentle manner.
Start on Route 7 in Lanesborough, just south of Route 2. Follow Lanesborough one mile north to Rockwell Road on the right. This road leads to the summit of Mount Greylock.
The trip to the summit offers splendid view of the valleys and other peaks in the area. A few miles on Rockwell Road is the Mount Greylock Visitor center. Here you can get trail maps and general information about the area.
At the summit is the War Memorial Tower. The climb to the top of a 92-foot-tall tower at the summit provides magnificent views of five states. Once your summit viewing is complete take the Notch Road down to meet the Mohawk Trail on Route 2 in North Adams.
North Adams celebrates the autumn season with the North Adams Fall Foliage Festival and Parade. This is usually the last weekend of September or the first weekend of October. In North Adams is the Western Gateway Heritage State Park, which features an exhibit on the building of the Hoosac Tunnel. Close by east of North Adams off Route 2 and 8 is Natural Bridge State Park.
Follow Route 2 east out of North Adams ascending the Hoosac Mountain Range until Hairpin Turn and then onto the Western Summit. Here you can stop and admire the vistas of Mount Greylock, Vermont’s Green Mountains, and the valley below.
How fast or slow you take the next part of the journey depends on time. Continuing on Route 2 east takes you though Charlemont where the famous “Hail to the Sunrise” statue stands in Memorial Park.
The eastern end of this scenic drive on the Mohawk Trail on Route 2 takes you out to Shelburne Falls where you can view The Bridge of Flowers – a transformed trolley bridge – and the Glacial Potholes below Salmon Falls, where time has produced interesting geological pools.
Scattered throughout this drive are state parks, hikes along ancient trails, scenic views, and of course specialty shopping and dinning opportunities. So as you wind your way around on this tour take time to enjoy this area of a window into the area’s heritage.
For more information and details on the Mohawk Trail region visit the trails official web site at www.mohawktrail.com.
Look for other articles in this series of fall foliage scenic drives. Or if you can’t wait you can pick up the complete scenic drive free report containing these and other New England scenic drives, along with detailed route coverage and attractions, at his New England vacation site.
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Maine is one of the most heavily forested states in the nation, containing over 17 million acres of natural beauty, hikes, and magnificent summer and fall foliage scenic drives.
This scenic drive is through Maine backcountry. A rugged environment of thick forests and impressive mountain terrain.
The drive is magnificent in summer but not-to-be-missed in fall foliage season.
The route follows a 218-mile loop through central west Maine along the lower western shore of Moosehead Lake, and then runs parallel with the tree-lined banks of the Kennebec River. It’s best experienced over a few days rather than a one-day excursion trip, and lodging reservations are recommended during the popular fall foliage season.
Let’s get you started…
In the first part of the tour you’ll wind your way towards the town of Greenville on the southern tip of Moosehead Lake. Begin the tour in the town of Skowhegan by taking Route 150 to Route 151 in Athens. Follow Route 151 west to Newport where you’ll pick up Route 7 to Dover-Foxcroft.
Take Route 6 to Guilford, and then follow Route 6/15 north to Greenville.
At Greenville stop and relax for a bit. Greenville is a center for those seeking the pastimes of hunting, fishing, hiking and boating in the area. It’s also home to a number of attractions in the area.
One such attraction is the 110-foot SS Katahdin, a popular steamship that cruises on Moosehead Lake during the summer and through fall foliage. It leaves from the center of Greenville.
A 20-mile excursion east of Greenville takes you to beautiful Gulf Hagas. This is a stunning 3-mile-long gorge, with waterfalls, water chutes, deep pools, and vertical walls 300 feet tall in places. The hike is especially scenic during fall foliage. For those spreading this scenic drive over multiple days this is a must-do side trip.
The Greenville area also boasts splendid hikes along the close-by Appalachian Trail.
If you’re intending to stay overnight then Greenville offers your best opportunity for lodging.
The scenic drive continues along Route 6/15 passing Big Squaw Mountain and Ski Area on the left, and winding along the Moosehead Lake shore to the village of Rockwood. Once at Rockwood you’ll see across the water the imposing Mount Kineo with its sheer cliff face rising over 700 feet from the deepest point in Moosehead Lake.
Stay on Route 6/15 and head west to Jackman. This 30-mile portion of the scenic drive is all about Maine wilderness. Look out for opportunities to stop and admire the summer or fall foliage views in the hills and on scenic lookouts across the lakes and ponds along the road.
Just south of Jackman Route 6/15 will connect with Route 201, and you’ll follow Route 201 south towards The Forks along the National Scenic Byway.
Jackman is a canoeing center, famous for the 42-mile Moose River Bow Trip. The canoe trip takes two or more days and is a favorite of outdoor enthusiasts. It’s one of the few remaining wilderness canoe trips in the Northeast, and organized tours are run by local operators.
Continue on Route 201 south to The Forks where the Kennebec and Dead Rivers meet. The Forks is base for popular and awe-inspiring whitewater rafting trips on the two rivers.
A few miles west of The Forks is Moxie Falls, at 90-feet one of the tallest waterfalls in New England.
The scenic drive continues south on Route 201 to Bingham. This stretch of the road follows the Kennebec River through Caratunk, offering magnificent views of the river and surrounding hills, and is one of the best fall foliage sections on this tour.
Follow Route 201 back to Skowhegan to complete the tour.
Look for other articles in this series of fall foliage scenic drives. Or if you can’t wait you can pick up the complete scenic drive free report containing these and other New England scenic drives, along with detailed route coverage and attractions, at his New England vacations guide site.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cliff_Calderwood
This Rhode Island scenic drive is delightful any season of the year, but with fall foliage the added splash of color deepens the experience and appreciation of the Rhode Island coastline and surrounding villages.
This is a one-way 61-mile scenic drive on Route 1A along Block Island Sound until turning North to follow the western shore of Narragansett Bay. The drive eventually hooks up with Route 138 east over to historic Newport and the scenic 10-mile Ocean Drive.
Along the way are plenty of detours for lighthouses, wildlife refuge trails, beach walking, and quiet village rambles in autumn splendor.
Let’s get going…
Start the drive by heading south on U.S. Highway 1A from Westerly. Look for the sign to Watch Hill Road, which takes you out to Watch Hill, a marvelously preserved Victorian seaside town.
Attractions in Watch Hill include The Flying Horse Carousel, the oldest continuously operating merry-go-round carousel in the U.S., and the Watch Hill Lighthouse, a granite and brick-lined 19th Century masterpiece. The Lighthouse has no parking so you’ll park in town and stroll out the 15-minutes it takes to get there.
Continue the scenic drive by retracing the road back to US 1A and then heading east. Route 1A merges with Route 1 as you drive towards Charlestown and the Point Judith Area. This part of the drive has numerous beaches, and turnoffs for salt ponds and wildlife refuges protected by the natural beach barriers on Block Island Sound.
Follow Route 1 until it intersects with Route 108 south and head down to Point Judith and the Junction of Route 1A. Drive the short distance to Point Judith Lighthouse, which was built in 1857. Here you’ll also get another great view of Block Island and its cliffs on the horizon.
Take Route 1A North to Narragansett Pier and on to farms and countryside surrounding the Pettaquamscutt River. This area of stonewalls and forests once housed many Rhode Island plantations that gave the state its formal name of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.
In the fall foliage season the forests are ablaze with autumn and add a satisfying splash of color to this coastline tour.
Continue the scenic drive north until it meets Route 138 and then head east on Route 138 over Jamestown Bridge to Conanicut Island, and then over the magnificent Newport Bridge into the city of Newport.
Newport is on the southern tip of Aquidneck Island, and the final leg of this fall foliage scenic drive. It is one of my favorite cities in New England – anytime of the year – but especially during autumn.
After the Newport Bridge follow the signs to the Transportation Center. Stay on the main road as it winds through the harbor area, and eventually becomes Memorial Boulevard until it meets Bellevue Avenue on the right.
Ocean Drive is a 10-mile route that starts on Bellevue Avenue and follows Ocean Avenue around a rocky peninsular with fishing coves, swimming beaches, and public parks.
The Ocean Avenue part of the drive is probably the most scenic with magnificent houses on rocky necks amidst the backdrop of full-force Atlantic Ocean. Brenton State Park is a halfway point on Ocean Drive, and is popular for picnics and flying kites.
As you head out of the park you’re heading back to Newport Harbor, and pass the Castle Hill Lighthouse, Hammersmith Farm, and Fort Adams Park.
The Fort Adams State Park is on Harrison Avenue, and you’ll turn left at the next intersection, and left again onto Halidon Avenue. Continue right onto Wellington Avenue and you’ll pass by King Park on your left, which is at the southern end of Newport Harbor, and leads you back into the city center where the tour ends.
Look for other articles in this series of fall foliage scenic drives. Or if you can’t wait you can pick up the complete scenic drive free report containing these and other New England scenic drives, along with detailed route coverage and attractions, at his New England vacations Guide site.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cliff_Calderwood
