Maine Lakes, Mountains Displaying Peak Fall Foliage Colors

Maine foliage conditions for Oct. 7. Credit: Maine Department of Conservation, Press Release source: VisitMaine.com.

Just got word from the Maine Office of Tourism that fall foliage will be best this Columbus Day Weekend at the lakes and mountains of western Maine and the Mt. Katahdin Region.

For those unfamiliar with Maine fall foliage, you're in for a treat. Known to many for its coastal splendor, Maine is also a terrific autumn leaf peeping destination inland, especially around the majestic beauty of Mt. Katahdin (a challenging hike but worth it, as long as the weather is cooperative) and beautiful lake towns like Rangeley. Although Bethel is a famous ski town (Sunday River), the fall can be marvelous here, too, in this quaint, quintessential New England small town. Currently, rangers are reporting high color in the Bethel area with about 50 to 70 percent peak color and moderate leaf drop, according to the Maine Office of Tourism.

Without further delay, here is the Maine Office of Tourism Maine fall foliage updates press release:

AUGUSTA, Maine - The lakes and mountains region of western Maine, and the Mt. Katahdin region will have the best foliage color this weekend, according to the fourth fall foliage report from the state Department of Conservation.

Forest rangers from Moosehead Lake to Stratton, and Mt. Katahdin to Lincoln are observing peak foliage conditions, or at least 75 percent color change, and moderate leaf drop between 30 and 50 percent, the report states.

Rangers are reporting high color, or 50 to 70 percent toward peak, with moderate leaf drop in locations like Rangeley, Rumford, Bethel, Grand Lake Stream and Calais.

"The time is right to head for the western mountains, the Millinocket area, and the northern lakes of Washington County," said Gale Ross, spokesperson for the Maine Department of Conservation. "I have encouraged travelers to plan their Maine foliage trip for this time of the month, and I am happy that Mother Nature cooperated."

High color has also reached the central and eastern portion of the state from Dover-Foxcroft to Bangor, according to rangers. Leaf drop in the region is now moderate.

Rangers are reporting moderate color change along the Downeast coast from Bucksport to Lubec, in southern and central interior locations from Sebago Lake to Augusta, and along the southern coast from Kittery to Belfast. Leaf drop in these regions is moderate.

Foliage color is now past peak and leaf drop is 10 to 50 percent in all of Aroostook County, northern Piscataquis County and northern Somerset County, the report states.

The Department of Conservation also announced that Camden Hills State Park and Bradbury Mountain State Park will host the final state park guided foliage hikes on Sunday, Oct. 11. For information about each hike and to register,
visit http://take-it-outside.com/hike.shtml.

Maine's fall foliage conditions are updated each Wednesday through October 21 at www.mainefoliage.com. The Department of Conservation encourages visitors to post comments about their Maine foliage adventures on the Foliage Forum page, and submit Maine foliage photos on the Photo Gallery page.

Fun fall events happening this weekend include the Damariscotta Pumpkin Fest, Lobster Harvest Day in Port Clyde, and Sunday River's Fall Festival in Newry.

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