If you finish your projects early or you’re looking for a reason to put off those improvements, state tourism officials report northern Maine as the place to be if viewing fall foliage is your desire.
Lakes and rivers in the far north of Maine are the best locations to enjoy early fall color according to the second foliage report released today by the state Department of Conservation.
Currently, forest rangers are reporting moderate leaf color, or 30 to 50 percent toward peak, in the two foliage tracking zones (Zone 6 and 7) covering Aroostook County and northern portions of Piscataquis and Somerset counties. All other regions of Maine have low color change, or 10 to 30 percent toward peak. Recent mild weather has kept leaves on their branches, and leaf drop remains very low, or less than 10 percent, in all tracking zones.
Maine’s ultimate paddling adventure, the Allagash Wilderness Waterway, is lined with good early color. The 92-mile chain of lakes, ponds. The Aroostook River also offers good foliage scenes as it winds through Ashland, Washburn, Presque Isle, Caribou and Fort Fairfield in the northeast corner of the state. Covered bridge fans can view the changing colors at the Watson Settlement Bridge in the town of Littleton just off Route 1 north of Houlton.
Leaf peepers who can’t make it to Maine in October can head to the Moosehead Lake region and the Millinocket area during the next week to see the start of the foliage transformation south of Baxter State Park.
Updated foliage reports can also be obtained by calling the Maine foliage hotline at 1-888-MAINE-45. Learn more about Maine’s fall touring routes and outdoor activities at www.visitmaine.com.
