| OCTOBER 3, 2010 -- As the leaves begin to change color and thoughts of apples and pumpkins remind us of the approach of autumn, the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announces their new Fall Foliage website is now available at www.ct.gov/dep/foliage. The website has all the information you need to make your foliage viewing a success over the next couple of months. Updated on Monday and Wednesday of each week, the Current Foliage Report site clearly illustrates the different levels of color change in foliage throughout the state.
In Yankee Magazine’s September-October 2010 issue, Kent, Connecticut, was named as the best town in New England for fall foliage. It beat out other popular locations in northern New England such as Stowe, Vermont, Camden, Maine, and Amherst, Massachusetts. The magazine’s editor, Mel Allen says, “It has one of the nicest scenic drives, Route 7; the Appalachian Trail cuts right through town; it has the Housatonic River and some of the best antiquing in New England.”
The DEP’s pick for leaf-peeping in Kent is the top of Cobble Mountain at Macedonia Brook State Park in Kent. There you will find views from the overlook across the Harlem Valley to the Taconic and Catskill Mountains.
Other great places statewide to view fall foliage are:
* Mohawk State Forest, Cornwall
* Pachaug State Forest, Voluntown – Mt. Misery Overlook
* Peoples State Forest, Barkhamsted – Chaugnam Lookout
* Shenipsit State Forest, Somers – Observation Tower
* Sleeping Giant State Park, Hamden – Stone Tower
* Talcott Mountain State Park, Simsbury – Heublein Tower
* Mt. Tom State Park, Litchfield
* Dennis Hill State Park, Norfolk
* Goodwin Conservation Center, Hampton
Christopher Martin, DEP Director of Forestry, said, “We are anticipating yet another spectacular fall showing of the maples, hickories, oaks, and other renowned fall foliage tree species. This will be true, despite a few locations experiencing sporadic early leaf fall on ledge outcroppings and thin soils due to this summer’s warmer than normal temperatures.”
“If the drier and warmer weather continues we may reach peak color slightly earlier this year. Typically fall foliage is most vivid starting Columbus Day weekend through early November. The waning days of summer will make that decision,” added Martin.
Also featured on the website:
* Where to View Fall Foliage in Connecticut
* The Colors of Fall
* Why Leaves Change Color
* Tips for All Leaf Peepers
* Scenic Views and Hiking Locations
* Connecticut’s Shoreline
* The Fall Colors of Connecticut’s Trees
* Fall Foliage Driving Routes in Connecticut |
