Any places I must go in White Mountain, New Hampshire for fall foliage?

[rolpahof leikonblad]

I will go to White Mountain, New Hampshire this weekend for the fall

foliage. Any ideas where and when (morning or afternoon) one must go?

I will start my trip from New York City. Any particular routes which

in your own opinion are most scenic?

[robert_fisher]

Dave, wait a week.

[elf]

check the weather underground. It's raining and chilly up there. 25 degrees at night. Raining 'til at least Monday.

[doug_seigars]

If you go to the Whites anytime, go into the woods. Get out of the tourist areas and onto some trails. Most halfway decent areas which are easily accessible by car are going to crawling with people. By far, the best things to see are in the "backcountry". There are some spectacular areas in the Whites, but they may require some hiking. I would recomend that you buy the AMC guide, which is full of information and you could pick out exactly what you are most interested in. During foliage season, it may be a good idea to pick a more isolated area (if there is such thing), perhaps the Bond range or the Pilot range.

[nathan_cohen]

Great question.

 

First, Take 93N.

 

The real issue is whether you require road access or not. Some of the best shots are in the woods and peaks, and require good long hikes.

 

Assuming you are road-bound, here are some obvious spots:

 

* Rocky Gorge/Swift River--on the east of the Kancamagus (off Rt 93)(Our sponsor Phil Greenspun has a wonderful shot of this; not reproducible any more because of dead trees and limbs. Good timing,Dr. G.:-))

 

* Multiple overlooks on Bear Notch Road

 

* Lincoln Woods--in a word, spectacular

 

* Franconia Notch-- Go to top of Cannon, also wander around the overlooks into the Presidentials. The 'Old Man' is now an unattractive ledge,BTW, unlike the attached photo.

 

* Crawford Notch--Saco Lake; Silver Cascade; many others

 

* Jackson-- Many cascades, overlooks, covered bridges.

 

* The Flume-- Sentinel Bridge

 

This is only a partial list. There are many brooks and streams which are attractive on all road routes. Gale River is my favorite. Brake for water is often my motto.

 

The foliage will be at its peak in most places in the Whites in the next few days, so your timing is good. The nights are very cool and the display is changing dramatically on a daily basis. However, the weather is still unknown for the weekend...monitor www.intellicast.com for lincoln, nh (for example).

 

I will be there:-)<div></div>

[rolpahof leikonblad]

Thanks. Because of the weather, I may have to go there earlier or later. Any particular good sites for foliage report?

[babette_ross]

Nathan gave you a great answer -- but i want to add my two cents about Franconian Notch - What a great hike! Not sure if you're thinking of truly hiking with camera or just pulling off the road types but I was there for camping/hiking/foilage 2 years ago and we loved the Falling Water's Trail (we also hiked across the range and down the the Old Bridal Path Trail) it's a strenuos hike with lots of streams and waterfalls. If you go up to the peak you'll get some great artic grasses - its a remarkable landscape.

[scott s]

http://www.weirsonline.com/foliage.htm is a good site. They have webcams for Laconia - about 50 miles south of Kanacamagus so quite different.

 

And http://www.foliagenetwork.com/reports/northeast_us/ is kept current and accurate.

 

I would take Rt 91 up through Mass, and once into Vermont jump onto Rt 5 which parallels 91 but more closely (and leisurely) parallels the Connecticut River. The maples in Vt should be more colorful this weekend. Look out for the town of Wells River, and take Rt 302 east to Rt 112 east and stay there as it will eventually become the Kancamagus Highway.

 

For this weekend, though, you might want to head north once you hit Rt 93, as you might be too early for foliage on Kancamagus. In this case, stay on Rt 302 and you'll end up a little more north.

 

Check Mapquest for a route to make a circular trip waypointing the towns of Northumberland to Stark to Berlin to Bowman and then back to Rt 93.

[nathan_cohen]

I am amused by the few who believe my forecast is incorrect. Mine is based upon an archived database of 15 seasons over approximately 30 years, and recent data as of last weekend. Now life is not a Kalman Filter, but , if you have it, how about some data showing I am wrong?:-)

 

Again: Whites peak this weekend, approximately a week earlier than normal.

 

If you go there this weekend, the green you'll see will be dominated by needles:-)

 

Cheers!

[www.whitemountainphoto.com]

Nathan's pretty much on the mark. I've been everywhere from Bartlett to Lincoln to Twin Mt, to Gorham, to Conway, to Eaton and back in the last 24 hours. Nothing is really peak at this very moment, except maybe the very top of the Kanc, and the higher slopes of the mountains. This weekend should be good, but I think still just a little early for the lowlands...heck, you can't have everything perfect all at once. Middle of next week probably best all around. Best bets..Kancamaugus Highway, Base of Mount Washington was looking good on the Auto Road side, Crawford Notch, Pinkham Notch, hike or stay on the higher roads.

[nathan_cohen]

The White Mountains are at their peak, right now: 3 October, 2003.

[mandola]

How long will the peak last? (Usually)

I will be in White mountain around Oct 17.

Hope that it is not too late.

 

I will fly from Taiwan(Asia) to White mountain.

I hope I can enjoy the foliage at its peak.

 

If it is too late, is there any substitute place

for foliage around New England? Please advise.

[jay_goldbach]

Just hiked Black Mountain near Plymouth, NH last weekend (10/13), and the valleys

looked like huge bowls of fruit loops. Peaking? I'm no expert, but it looked pretty

awesome from bottom to summit. BTW, It's an intermediate and beautiful hike --

after doing it with a 45lb pack, I would recommend using a day pack instead.

 

Good hunting, fellow peepers!