Maine Fall Foliage Updates as of Oct. 8, 2008

With Columbus Day Weekend approaching fast, the chance to view some peak fall foliage is ample in the New England region. While New Hampshire and Vermont are famous -- and rightfully so -- for great leaf peeping, sometimes states like Maine fall under the foliage radar because many people think of this state for its coastal beauty. The reality is that so much of Maine offers spectacular inland fall foliage, as well as some truly impressive views of color changes by the coast. It's really like getting the best of both worlds -- a connection to the Maine sea and the options inland that, many times, offer fall foliage are as good as Vermont and New Hampshire.

Our friends at VisitMaine.com sent us an updated press release yesterday, breaking down each region of Maine in regards to current fall foliage conditions:

AUGUSTA, Maine - The Maine coast and the southern part of the state will have the best foliage viewing during the next week according to the Department of Conservation's fifth fall foliage report of the season.

Forest rangers are observing high foliage color near 75 percent toward peak along the coastline from Kittery to Penobscot Bay. Color is also high in southern and central locations from Fryeburg to Sebago Lake and the Belgrade Lake region. Color in all of these areas is expected to reach peak during the next seven days, and leaf drop is now moderate, or less than 50 percent.

Peak conditions remain in Millinocket, Houlton and the Lincoln Lake region of northern Penobscot County. Leaf drop is moderate in these areas. Grafton Notch State Park, Bethel, Rumford and the Rangeley Lake region also have peak color with high leaf drop between 50 and 70 percent. Foliage in Greenville, Jackman, The Forks and other locations in northern Somerset County and central Piscataquis County has begun to turn past peak and leaf drop is high.

Foliage is still turning along the northern coast between Belfast and Eastport where the color is now 50 percent toward peak and leaf drop is moderate. The season is winding down in Aroostook County beyond Baxter State Park where foliage color is now past peak and locations have high leaf drop.

Visit a family farm surrounded by spectacular foliage this weekend during Open Creamery Day (www.mainecheeseguild.org) on October 12. Or experience fun for the whole family at fall festivals at Sunday River and Sugarloaf ski resorts.

To provide the most accurate foliage information, Department of Conservation rangers will report statewide conditions every Wednesday through Oct. 15. The reports are posted online at http://www.mainefoliage.com, and visitors to the Web site can sign up to receive the weekly reports by email or RSS feed.

Foliage fans can also submit their best Maine foliage photographs to the site's Photo Gallery. One image is featured on the site each week, and all submissions are considered for the gallery archive.

For more information about events and activities happening in Maine this fall log onto http://www.visitmaine.com.