Experience Spectacular Fall Foliage This Weekend in the Adirondacks
The leaves will be stunning in Tupper Lake, Saranac Lake, Long Lake, Whiteface and other ADK destinations. Find the best spots to see the fall foliage at its most brilliant.
Photo courtesy New York Department of Economic Development.
Foliage Alert! The September 27 I Love New York Fall Foliage Report is out, and it’s official; we are entering peak season to see the leaves turn in the Adirondacks.
Starting now and for the next several weekends, it’s peak leaf-peeping season in the ADK. If you’re considering visiting, ADK Taste has the scoop on the best places to Stay, Shop, Eat, and things to Do in the ADK, including our hand-picked list of fall events.
Foliage is mid- to near total change in Tri-Lakes and High Peaks towns and villages.
Raquette River near Tupper Lake
Spotters near Tupper Lake and Mt. Arab predict 75-80% color change. In their typical eloquent style, they report seeing a bright display of maize, banana, daffodil, clementine, mustard, yam, burnt sienna, ginger, beet, rhubarb, raspberry, paprika and pimento-colored leaves of above-average brilliance.
Meanwhile, in Saranac Lake, leaf scouts anticipate midpoint to near-peak foliage with at least 50% color change and plenty of yellow, orange, red, green and even some purple leaves.
Foliage spotters at Whiteface Mountain Ski Area in Wilmington predict midpoint to near-peak leaves with more than 50% color change and very bright red, green, yellow, orange and purple shades, making it a perfect setting for this weekend’s Oktoberfest at Whiteface.
Lake Placid spotters predict that the leaves will be at the midpoint of change with a 45% change.
Some areas of the Lake Champlain region and ADK Coast are near their peak foliage display, while southern towns are still in early transformation.
In Essex County, spotters from Wilmington, Jay, Upper Jay, and Au Sable Forks all predict near-peak leaves with up to 85% color change and a mix of average and bright deep purples, reds, and golds providing the foliage base, along with splashes of cheerful reds, yellows, and oranges.
Crown Point spotters at the Lake Champlain Visitors Center predict up to 15% change with a few small, sparse areas of russet, yellows and golds, and some oranges and reds.
Ticonderoga area leaf spotters expect a little more than 5% foliage change with mostly green leaves and some muted orange and brown hues. Check it out while attending the Heritage, Harvest and Horse Festival at Fort Ticonderoga on Saturday, September 30.
Central Adirondacks continue to transform gradually.
Foliage inspectors report leaves approaching the midpoint of change in Newcomb, with 35% transition, bright reds and oranges, and some golden and yellow leaves.
Leaf peepers in Lake Pleasant predict foliage at the midpoint of change with a 50% transition highlighted by quickly emerging average to bright red and orange leaves, just in time for nearby Oak Mountain’s OAKtoberfest.
Spotters checking in from Long Lake predict a 50% change with primarily green and yellow shades, along with pockets of bright red.
Lake George Region and Southern Foothills still have a way to go until they reach peak foliage transformation.
In Warren County, reports from Queensbury predict more than 25% foliage change with a mix of muted fall colors, making it easier to spot any rogue beasts at the nearby Whitehall’s annual Sasquatch Festival and Calling Contest.
In comparison, Lake George area spotters anticipate a 20% change, small groupings of trees tinged with orange and yellow leaves, plus occasional pops of red, making a perfect setting for Amy’s Adventure Race for the Lake in Bolton or bargain- and treasure-hunting at the World’s Largest Garage Sale in Warrensburg, September 29 through October 1.
Arboreal transformation speeds up in parts of the Western Adirondacks.
Foliage will be approaching the midpoint of change in the northwestern Malone area, where spotters anticipate 40% transition and green, yellow, orange and red leaves.
The Lowville Leaf Patrol reports only a little more than 15% change, with touches of yellow and orange leaves appearing over the mostly green backdrop.
Foliage in Old Forge is at near-peak foliage with a 60% change. Red and orange leaves of above-average brilliance are starting to pop, with plenty of bright shades of yellow and gold emerging through the remaining green.
And while you’re out leaf-peeping, check out this weekend’s fantastic events. We’ve compiled a hand-picked list of recommended things to do this weekend.
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