“The somewhat-late-to-bloom foliage season of 2011 continues to dazzle as the color change sweeps to the lower elevation foothills and mountain valleys. The highest elevations are showing leaf drop, but brilliant foliage is on display throughout the state.

‘It’s awesome!’exclaimed Addison County Forester Chris Olson after driving through much of west central Vermont midweek. ‘I don’t know if Ben & Jerry’s have a flavor for foliage, but it would be worth it. This year has awesome, intense colors and pastels. Route 22A is absolute peak,’ Olson adds. He also suggests the gap roads, Route 17 and 125, or the Lincoln Gap between Bristol and Warren.

All areas west of the Green Mountains are showing bright foliage, particularly from Hinesburg and Bristol to Middlebury and Castleton and south down Route 7.

‘Great color everywhere,’ says spotter Tom Olson from the Maple Museum near Pittsford. ‘From roadside Sumacs to hillside hardwoods, we have high mid-stage to near peak foliage appearing in most of west central Vermont, from Middlebury south to Manchester and Bennington.’

Because the leaves are still anchored well to their branches and with temperatures above freezing, showers predicted for the next several days should not affect the leave drop. ‘We’re looking forward to a very colorful upcoming week,’ Tom Olson adds.

Colorful foliage is also approaching near-peak in southern Vermont and the Connecticut River Valley in Windsor, Windham and Bennington Counties. ‘Just took a ride down the valley this afternoon and it’s looking pretty peak-ish out there. The leaves have blown at the highest elevations but the lower and mid slopes are popping. This is the time,’ says Bennington County Forester Chris Stone.

Northern Vermont is still displaying good color through the mountain valleys and sheltered hillsides where viewing is expected to remain good at least through the coming weekend.”

The Fall Foliage season in Vermont is one of the busiest times of the year while visitors flock from all over the world to witness the beautiful changing colors. This year it will be more important than ever to call ahead for reservations and check on Road Conditions.

Parts of our updates are thanks to the USDA Forest Service, the Vermont Department of Tourism, and various “Leaf Peepers” around the state. If you’d like to be on Vermont.com’s “Leaf Squad” to help report the Foliage conditions in your area of Vermont, please contact us!

To view our first-hand reports throughout the state of Vermont, visit our Vermont Fall Foliage Reports.