Fall Foliage Begins to Peak This Weekend in the Adirondacks
See peak autumn colors in the Adirondacks this weekend; make plans now to see nature’s most brilliant show.
Photo courtesy New York Department of Economic Development.
The October 4 I Love New York Fall Foliage Report is out, and the news is excellent for those hoping to see the Adirondacks in full autumn splendor.
Need help planning your getaway? We’re your guide for where to go or what to do in the Adirondacks. In addition to providing insight on where to see the spectacular foliage, ADK Taste provides unbiased reviews of where to Stay, Shop, Eat, and Do things in the ADK based on our personal experience.
Foliage is near or at peak in Tri-Lakes and High Peaks towns and villages.
Tupper Lake and Mt. Arab Leaf Scouts expect peak to just-past peak foliage with more than 90% change this week. Leaf peepers can see cinnamon, copper, honey, dandelion, pumpkin, saffron, magenta, cranberry, and vermillion-colored leaves of above-average brilliance. The gorgeous autumn leaves are an excellent reason to visit Tupper Lake, and as long as you’re there, check out the Raquette River Brewing Oktoberfest, October 6-8.
Ski Jumping Complex in Lake Placid.
Spotters on leaf patrol in Saranac Lake report 75% or more leaf change with a bright mix of yellow, orange, red, green and even some purple leaves. The fall colors are now considerably more vivid compared to last week.
Further east, plan on peak foliage in Lake Placid and at Whiteface Mountain in Wilmington with 75% color change and vibrant red, yellow, orange, purple and green leaves, creating a spectacular display. The stunning foliage is sure to provide a dramatic backdrop to the FIS Ski Jumping Continental Cup and Flaming Leaves Festival in Lake Placid, October 6-8.
The always picturesque Lake Champlain Region and ADK coast are bursting with color.
At the northern end of the region, Jay, Upper Jay, and Au Sable Forks predict peak leaves this weekend with a nearly complete transition and a mix of average and bright red, yellow and orange shades augmented by deep oranges and golds.
Crown Point spotters at the Lake Champlain Visitors Center predict a 25-30% change, with patches of russets, yellow golds, and occasional oranges and reds continuing to emerge from the green.
Foliage change is picking up further south in the Ticonderoga area, with an expected 20% or more leaf transition and muted shades of orange and brown emerging from the mostly green backdrop. Only two more weeks to enjoy Fort Ticonderoga’s epic Corn Maze.
The Central Adirondacks show off their peak autumnal plumage.
Blue Mountain Lake scouts predict peak conditions with more than 90% change, muted burnt orange leaves, and some subdued shades of orange, soft red and mustard yellow.
Last weekend, we drove along Route 28N from Minerva to Blue Mountain Lake and can attest the color is spectacular.
The Leaf patrol in Lake Pleasant reports near- or at-peak foliage with 75-100% leaf change and bright shades of orange and red, while Long Lake should be at peak with 85% leaf transition and bright to brilliant shades of mustard, red and orange, with small pockets of green interspersed.
Lake George Region and Southern Foothills continue to transition.
Leaf Spotters in Queensbury predict near-peak conditions with up to 70% change and bright seasonal colors.
Reports from the Lake George area anticipate leaves at the midpoint of change with a 50% transition and broad stretches of golden yellows, burnt oranges, and crimson leaves. This should provide superb scenery for the weekend-long Lake George Village’s Oktoberfest festivities and the Fall Farm Tour in Thurman.
The Western Adirondacks.
Leaf Observers report the fall colors in the northwestern ADK are now considerably more vivid compared to last week. Malone is just past mid-way to peak conditions with 55% or more color change and bright red leaves dominating, along with plenty of orange and yellow leaves, just in time for Titus Mountain’s 42nd annual Oktoberfest or the Loon Festival at Paul Smith’s.
In the Western Foothills, Old Forge observers expect peak foliage with 85% change, bright shades of red and orange exploding, especially along lakes and waterways, and brilliant shades of gold and yellow illuminating the mountainsides.
Lowville’s Leaf Patrol notes that leaf change has accelerated over the past week and now expects 80% transition and near-peak to peak conditions, featuring brilliant and vivid red, orange and yellow leaves.
And while you’re out leaf-peeping, check out this weekend’s fantastic events. See our entire list of recommended things to do this weekend.
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