foliage status

[LadyJane]

I'm coming up Monday for the week. How is the foliage now? October is the only month of the year that I have not been up there so I am really excited about seeing the foliage. Any favorite spots to go / walk this time of the year?

[Merrymeeting]

We spent the day driving around the big lake and in the Belnap Mtn range. It looks to me like there is another week or so to go before the colors really start to peak. There is still a lot of green and the colors are mostly muted.

Of course you will still see the occasional tree or small area that looks lovely. But the overall area has not popped yet.

[Rattlesnake Guy]

As long as I have been looking at leaves change color, I am still amazed by the actual variety in how an area passes through the peak of the bell curve. The ideal would probably be that every tree in your view was at peak at the same time. That does not often happen. And if it did then the period of time to look would be very short. On the other hand, when the trees spread out their timing, you see great tree color mixed with past and still green trees.

The strength of the color is another factor that is based on the weather patterns both temperature and moisture. Elevation plays a strong roll in the timing and strength.

Many of us near water face the additional factor that the water tempers the air temperature. The air does not get as hot or as cold near the water. This appears to slow down the foliage wave around the lakes. Which can be handy if you are in an area past peak.

The randomized wave travels down the state on average about 50 miles per week. So if it's too green go north, and too brown go south.

If it's a combination of green colorful bare and brown than you are int the right area. Then its a matter of finding the most flamboyant trees during my favorite time of the year.

One of our favorite times to look and photograph is when the leaves and trunk are still wet from the rain. The contrast can be natures version of photoshop.

[gf2020]

I was in the area from Meredith to Center Harbor and down to Alton today and I would say the leaves are still a week away from good color. There were some impressive sights, but in general I was a bit disappointed in the foliage.

[NoRegrets]

There are many trees that have changed but it is not peak yet. We were out around 3 this afternoon and went between Welsh and Timber to see Mount Washington. It was spectacular! Snow covered on the peak and the sun made it stand out. Have a great week!

[Belmont Resident]

A friend of mine and 2 boys were hiking Mt Washington yesterday. They do it every year on this weekend and have been turned back by snow at higher elevations when there was great weather at the base in past years.
As for foliage, I'll be glad when it is over. I worked all weekend trying to wrap up a job in Greens basin. Saturday evening traffic was backed up over a mile between Center Harbor and Meredith. Last night it was backed up almost to Moultonborough Neck road from Center harbor.
Thank god there are ways around it if you catch it early enough and detour in Center Harbor.

[LadyJane]

Thanks for the replies. Of course it's always beautiful there, no matter how much color. I skipped the weekend on purpose because of the traffic. I'll be coming when most people are going,and still be able to catch the end of the Sandwich Fair. Have a great week all.......the weather looks fabulous !

[no-engine]

As for foliage, I'll be glad when it is over. I worked all weekend trying to wrap up a job in Greens basin. Saturday evening traffic was backed up over a mile between Center Harbor and Meredith. Last night it was backed up almost to Moultonborough Neck road from Center harbor.
Thank god there are ways around it if you catch it early enough and detour in Center Harbor.

I was going to Moulton Far Stand from Meredith; traffic has been backed up all that 2 miles going to Meredith! I left Moulton's going to Center Harbor and returned to Meredith (really headed to Gilford) via 25B > 3.
Traffic all over lakes region has been "active" to say the least.

[Belmont Resident]

I took 25B yesterday then again today just in case.
There looked to be a fair amount of traffic going into Center Harbor so I took a chance. I believe the camper that was well ahead of me was in traffic as I went thru the light at the docks. I really do not look forward to working on this side of the lake because Meredith is a cluster almost any given day.

[Jonas Pilot]

Taken from a beautiful little park in Moultonborough over looking Berry Pond.

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/513/medium/IMG_2953.jpg
View image in gallery ('http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=17135')

[Nagigator]

Really nice stuff.thanks for posting that!

[Jonas Pilot]

... the Sandwich Fair on Columbus Day 2010. Note the trees that have shed their leaves already.

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/513/medium/IMG_2933.jpg ('http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/513/IMG_2933.jpg')

[Shore Driver]

I was at the fair, the colors around Center Sandwich were very disappointing. Maples were brown and dropping. Birches long gone. However, other areas looked just fine, like around Gilford, but still a bit pre-peak.

25 was backed up to Canoe going into Meredith at 4:30 on Sunday. No thanks! We banged a U-ey and took 25B.

[Argie's Wife]

Is the lack of colors due to the dry summer we've had?

Seems like acorns and pine cones dropped early this year...?

[Lucky1]

I drove up yesterday to close up a bit and tend to some plants. The colors on 93 were wonderful!!! There was no traffic going north and really not much going south until Meredith. Those were families going back for the school and work schedule. Doesn't apply to me. One of the few joys of advancing years.

Haven't hit the roads yet. Was planning on taking in the transfere station!

[hilltopper]

On my work commute yesterday there seems to be an imaginary line between exit 18 and 19 on I-93. South of that line is beautiful...definitely peak. North of that line was pretty much brown. It truly transitioned that quickly.

I felt bad for all the folks heading south on I-93 (and there were a LOT of them). Many had driven right through the peak foliage area to hit points north that were well beyond peak (although they didn't miss much when we hit peak in the Meredith area...very disappointing colors).

[Jonas Pilot]

... if you look hard enough.

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/513/medium/IMG_2952.jpg ('http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/513/IMG_2952.jpg')

[jkjoshuatree]

On my work commute yesterday there seems to be an imaginary line between exit 18 and 19 on I-93. South of that line is beautiful...definitely peak. North of that line was pretty much brown. It truly transitioned that quickly.

I felt bad for all the folks heading south on I-93 (and there were a LOT of them). Many had driven right through the peak foliage area to hit points north that were well beyond peak (although they didn't miss much when we hit peak in the Meredith area...very disappointing colors).

I've noticed that same exact imaginary line when it comes to temperature. When driving north with the windows down, I can suddenly notice at least a ten degree drop in temp on some nights.

Weird...

[NHKathy]

On my work commute yesterday there seems to be an imaginary line between exit 18 and 19 on I-93. South of that line is beautiful...definitely peak. North of that line was pretty much brown. It truly transitioned that quickly.

I felt bad for all the folks heading south on I-93 (and there were a LOT of them). Many had driven right through the peak foliage area to hit points north that were well beyond peak (although they didn't miss much when we hit peak in the Meredith area...very disappointing colors).

I agree! I found it to be a little muted around the Lake, where as it is usually peak on Columbus Day Wknd. Still very pretty though, don't get me wrong; but other years, it has been more vibrant. I did notice that after Saturday night's frost in some areas, it seemed to pop with more color on Sunday & Monday though...
I think peak may have passed unnoticed and too quickly; perhaps due to this years weather? I also noticed a lot more bare trees and bare spots that there usually is this weekend. This is probably muting the colors...
Hubby & I went for a long ride yesterday (Monday) and I must say that south and west of the Lakes Region, it was very vibrant! We headed over to Plymouth and went south & west from there, ending up down by Lake Sunapee -what a beautiful show it was down there!

[NHKathy]

Great picture, J.Pilot! I know that spot!!! :)

[Jonas Pilot]

... Do you know the name of that delightful little park?

[Greene's Basin Girl]

... Do you know the name of that delightful little park? The park near Berry Pond is Sutherland Park. The photo that was taken was beautiful.