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Come fall, New Hampshire fall foliage tour gains great momentum. Millions of elite leaf-peepers throng New Hampshire to participate in capturing and viewing the fall foliage. New Hampshire, New England and Maine have many enthusiastic leaf-peepers roaming around vying for the best vantage point to photograph and film picturesque foliage shots. More specifically, to catch spectacular sights of the foliage's wonderful riot of colors. Brilliant yellow, golden hue, glowing orange, fiery red, rich brown - What causes green leaves to change colors? Is it sheer magic, the influence of nature or does it have a scientific answer?
Finding answers apart, plan a New Hampshire fall foliage vacation with the sole purpose of enjoying the fall foliage show. Appreciate the foliage colors and experience foliage ecstasy. Besides the brilliant colors of leaves, the clean, cool air, bright blue skies, the warm rays of sun, beautiful scenery and colorful mountain sights are sure to make you feel as if Heaven is there on Earth. Here is a complete guide to New Hampshire fall foliage tour. Find if Maine fall foliage and New England fall foliage tour are equally exiting and attractive.
New England fall foliage tour
Fall foliage season is the best time to see New England. Fall foliage occurs across the whole of USA. Yet, New England is a highly preferred fall foliage tour destination. This is due to abundant varieties of deciduous trees, pleasant weather, the terrain, its astonishing natural beauty comprising endless forests, the mountains, sandy beaches, rivers, lakes and valleys, events held to entertain tourists. Leaf-peppers plan fall foliage vacation during September or October and continue till November.
The peak fall foliage time still remains unpredictable. However, it usually begins down from the north region. To keep track, follow fall foliage report in newspaper or use the Internet. You will know the areas, which are starting to show colors, have past peak and those nearing peak.
New Hampshire fall foliage - Kaleidoscope of colors
New England is a heavily forested area. New Hampshire is a state in New England in northeastern USA. Other states that form part of New England are Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut. All the states in New England have fall foliage season. These areas have mainly Maple, Birch, Poplar and Oak trees. All these trees exhibit transformation in colors at the same time during the fall foliage season. Amongst these, New Hampshire is world-famous for spectacular fall foliage viewing. The combination in New Hampshire - the scenic landscape, mountain vistas and valley panoramas, the pleasant climate and varieties of trees promise pleasant memories that lasts a lifetime.
Weather, topography and geography influence the beginning and end of foliage season. As autumn bids adieu and lets fall step in, the months of September and October mark the celebration of foliage changing colors. Hitherto leaves that appeared green in color in the northern woods begin to change colors in mid-or late September. The transformation travels down south and continues into first, second or even the last week of October. The season wanes in late November and its time for leaf-peepers to go into hibernation and wait for the next season to unfold.
Secret of fall foliage
For the trees and plants, leaves are the powerhouse. Leaves are the food factory of plants and trees. Leaves come in varied sizes and shapes. The pigments in leaves namely, chlorophyll, carotenoids and anthocyanins give them their color. During spring and summer season, leaves are full of chlorophyll. So much, the green color hides other pigments always present in the leaf. The abundant presence of chlorophyll makes leaves appear green in color.
As fall advances in New Hampshire, the days get shorter and the nights become cooler. With reduced availability of sunlight chlorophyll production slows down and gradually stops. It is then that the carotenoids and anthocyanins in leaf become visible. If chlorophyll in leaf gives green color, carotenoids provide the yellow, orange, brown colors and the many hues in between. Anthocyanins in leaf provide the red, purple colors and their blended combinations. Different trees contain different pigments and that explains the color variation in trees.
New Hampshire Fall foliage tour
Starting September 1st, the fall foliage report provides accurate fall foliage information as to how the fall colors are progressing during the fall foliage season. Track the report and use it as a guide to plan fall foliage tour. Keep abreast of the changing foliage conditions. The foliage peaks at different times in different region. Use the report, check the weather and leaf color report and decide where to see the fall color. The fall foliage update continues till November.
You can walk, drive, take a train, boat or even aerial tram to witness the brilliant fall foliage colors. If you decide to stay over, it is best to make advance reservations at inns, hotels or motels. The entire state of New Hampshire is at its colorful best during the fall. Even trees in backyard gardens enthrall passers-by. Yet, there are specific places that enjoy tourists' accolade year after year.
Take a drive through any of the 145 officially designated scenic drives stretched over an area of 900 miles. Leaves on treetops or those strewn on the ground, the scenic view of stunning orange, different shades of yellow and fiery red hues would leave you mesmerized. Specific areas such as White Mountains region and the Kancamagus Highway, Franconia Notch region, Mount Washington and Lake Winnipesaukee are popular must-visit locations to view fall foliage in it's full beauty. To experience the difference in fall foliage colors, visit or drive during the starting or towards the end of the fall foliage season.
Maine fall foliage
Maine in New England is endowed with abundant natural beauty. More than 80% of Maine is forested. Maine has 17 acres of forest area. There are over 50 species of trees that adorn the entire state of Maine. For full fall foliage coverage, cover the Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park and travel up to the Canadian border. In tune with the fall foliage season, the birch, chestnut, maple and oak is awash with color from mid September to late October. Bethel, the ski town in Maine is a most-visited fall foliage tour destination. The peaks most sought for skiing undergo a transformation during the fall season. Enjoy the breath-taking views of the fall foliage- the reflection of leaf colors on the mountains, rivers and lakes. If you yearn to capture bird's eye view of Maine fall foliage, visit the Maine's Penobscot Narrows Observatory in the fall. The people of Maine in an attempt to entertain fall visitors organize plenty of recreational and cultural events every year. Thus, Maine offers much more than a fall foliage vacation.
The novice traveler can simply select the fall foliage destination and be there on time. The first fall foliage tour experience provides insight into what to look for during subsequent tours. Thus, every fall foliage tour becomes richer in color vivid with pleasant memories.
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