All Points North - North Country Weather Makes for Spectacular Fall Foliage

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North Country Weather Makes for Spectacular Fall Foliage

As the leaves begin to turn rich shades of yellow, red, and orange, travelers flock to the North Country

Some autumn trees boast a bright orange hue

Places to go, things to see:

Every autumn, as Mother Nature puts on a fiery production of colored leaves, people take in the breathtaking views of the North Country's peaks. “It's absolutely an attraction,” said Jeff Krempa, director of sales at Lake Placid's Mirror Lake Inn. “People come from as far away as Europe to watch the leaves change.” The Mirror Lake Inn offers morning fitness outings; a perfect way to take in nature while burning off your calories from last night's dinner. “It's really just as busy here [in the fall] as during the summer time,” Krempa added.

The Olympic Ski Jump Complex in Lake Placid, New York, receives busloads of "leaf-peepers" each day. The attraction includes an elevator to the ski jump platform, soaring 26 stories in the air. This pinnacle offers a 360 degree view of the colorful Lake Placid peaks.

“People come from as far away as Europe to watch the leaves change.”

Dave Griffiths of Trail's End Inn in Keene Valley, New York, contends that most of the people who stay to view fall foliage are trail experts themselves. “We're located close to a lot of scenic trail heads, but the best view is in our own front yard.” Griffiths adds that many of his guests are “46ers,” meaning that they've hiked each of the 46 high peaks over 4,000 feet in the Adirondacks. Some of his guests have even done this each season of the year.

“Good places to observe fall foliage in the Adirondacks include the highway and hiking trails between Keene Valley and Lake Placid, and also between Saranac Lake and Lake Placid,” said Ken Adams, earth and environmental science professor at Plattsburgh State University. He added that Route 100 in Vermont is famous for its stunning views.

If hiking isn't your forte, impeccable views can also been reached by your vehicle. Griffiths says that Spruce Hill Road in Keene Valley is a prime area for viewing.

Take It From a Traveler:

Other trees have yet to fully change over

Lynn McKamey, an avid traveler and writer, took a fall foliage trip in 2003 throughout New York, Vermont, and Massachusetts. She swears by closely watching updates on fall foliage maps, and recommends the maps developed by the Foliage Network. “What we do is plan a trip, leaving the route open to change depending on where the best foliage is at the time. We check these maps during our trip and reroute as needed,” she added.

Diana Lavery, Plattsburgh resident and 46er, hiked many of the high peaks during the climax of the fall foliage. If you're an experienced climber who wants to tackle a high peak, she recommends checking out Rocky Ridge, near Elizabethtown, or Haystack, located deep in the high peak region. She says the intense climb of the Cascade Mountains in Keene is worth all the work, offering both a 360 degree view of tall oaks and the entire Champlain Valley. “It's definitely some major trudging,” warned Lavery.

“Evergreen species such as pines and spruces provide a nice backdrop for the colorful foliage of the deciduous trees.”

If your not quite a 46er, the Ampersand Mountain is a moderate climb that still has great views, and Mount Joe in Lake Placid is light enough for any beginner. “A four-year-old could literally climb Mount Joe,” says Lavery.

Ready, Set, Change!:

Contrary to what most people think, the process associated with the leaves' color change actually starts late in the summer, when the leaves are still green and the days are shorter. During the spring and summer, the most dominant pigment in the leaves is chlorophyll, which is responsible for the leaves green color. Adams explains that yellow-orange carotene and yellow xanthophylls pigments, are also present, but their color is masked by the dominant chlorophyll. “With the coming of autumn, the production of chlorophyll stops and these pigments become visible,” he explained. Extended periods of clear, sunny days and cool, but not freezing nighttime temperatures enhance the production of red pigments. This makes the North Country a perfect place for viewing leaves. “Evergreen species such as pines and spruces provide a nice backdrop for the colorful foliage of the deciduous trees,” Adams added.

On Route 9 in Plattsburgh, this tree starts to show its true colors.

Peak color occurs earlier at higher elevations than at lower elevations, such as the Champlain Valley lowlands. Not all trees change colors at the same rate. For example, sugar maple and red maple leaves start to change earlier than American beech and red oak. According to Adams, peak color in high elevations of the Adirondacks is usually the last week of September or the first week in October, and about ten days later in the valley. “This fall has been unusually mild, so peak color will be delayed a week or so,” Adams explained.

Hurry up and see the brilliant colors, because the leaves may begin to fall at any time. This accelerates two to three weeks after peak color, when the water vessels that are connected to the leaf begins to dry out. High winds and rain also speed up the process. The trees will lose most of their leaves by the end of October and early November.

So get out and take in the colors, because pretty soon those yellows, reds, and oranges, will be on top of the soil, covered by icy mounds of North Country snow!

What's your favorite spot to take in the North Country's fall foliage?

Which trees produce which colors?
Image by Sunshine D. Sheltray