Fall Foliage in the Adirondacks

Though summer isn't officially over until September 22, summer is officially over... Kids have gone back to school, college is already in full swing, temperatures have slowly started to dip, and the leaves have already started to change. But have you had the privilege yet to see the majesty of a full North County Autumn?

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Thousands of foliage watchers, or leaf-peepers as they are lovingly known, come to New York from all over the world to see the vibrant reds, oranges and yellows as our broad-leaf trees shed their leaves. Why is New York foliage so awe-inspiring? According to I Love NY, "Unlike the rest of the country, the northeastern U.S. is particularly blessed with a great variety of broad-leaved trees, which help give the region’s foliage a spectacular color range. Also, New York State has almost as many acres of such trees as the rest of the Northeast combined" (source).  

Peeping season starts in the Adirondacks and slowly moves south into the Catskills. While the entire process lasts about 2 months for the lovely greens to turn to brilliant hues of warm colors, two weeks is usually the time frame for peak color changing, with peak brilliance lasting 3-4 days for any given area. So it's time to plan your trip to the North County to get a piece of this beauty!

Here are a few tips to ensure a spectacular view of the stunning Adirondack landscape in Autumn.

Prepare.

Looking out your window and seeing a few colors might strike the adventurer inside you to go out and see the foliage on a whim. But you aren't the only person who is thinking the same thing. To truly enjoy the foliage, you should have a set route and accommodations ready. Not only does this save you the hassle from getting lost and getting stuck in an area or stuck without lodging or both, it gives you the luxury of taking your time. Leaf-peeping is about the views, and it would negate the whole trip if you are forced to rush through the area. Now is the time, if you haven't already done so, to look up some great fall foliage packages, like the one at the Holiday Inn Express of Malone.

Take advantage of different perspectives.

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Driving is a pretty standard go-to when it comes to watching the foliage. But have you ever stopped to consider the myriad of other ways to capture a view? The North Country is well-known for it's outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, and boating. What about capturing some views from those perspectives? Most hiking trails and boat launches are easily accessible right off the roads in the Adirondacks, so you don't even have to plan on biking the whole way. Just take a pair of hiking shoes and stick them in your trunk, strap a kayak to your roof, or put a bike in the back and when the moment strikes you, get out into the thick of the trees and be awed.

Be Safe.

Drive slow. This goes hand-in-hand with taking your time. Want to make a last second stop at hiking trailheads or want to pull off to the side of the road to take a spectacular picture? This is only possible if you are driving slow enough to make the turn! This also allows other drivers to be aware of what you are doing and could prevent you from getting rear-ended, which would certainly put a damper on your vacation. Slow speeds also allows you to be aware of a Fall Foliage hazard: wet leaves. Leaves are beautiful on the trees, but when they make the road slick, especially on many back country roads where the foliage is the best.

Here are some resources to help you in your Fall Foliage Tour planning...so get to it!

VisitAdirondacks.com 
I Love NY Fall Foliage 
nyfallfoliage.com 
Holiday Inn Express Fall Foliage Package