Lake Placid – We are approaching that most colorful time of the year. The northern reaches of Upstate New York have already started changing colors, so with that, let’s talk about the best ways to experience this palette of reds, yellows and oranges, and do it in a manner that stretches out the season for avid leaf peepers.
Given that the onset of autumn occurs earlier in the Adirondacks, we recommend that if you’re planning a foliage tour, you should make our region your first stop and then work your way south.
From the Mirror Lake Inn in Lake Placid, guests can drive in numerous directions to observe fall’s best. The color array actually begins on our property, thanks to our skilled landscapers and gardeners who bring our flowers alive each summer and fall.
For several weeks, we have been seeing some trees already changing colors. Our weather is still quite beautiful, and there will be no freezing temps anytime soon, but if you look closely and stare long enough, even now, you can see early signs of the metamorphosis.
We don’t mean to fast forward the season, but for your planning purposes you should know that our foliage season peaks by mid-October. Hikers, bikers, anglers and golfers all enjoy this time of the year as their experiences are greatly enhanced by the backdrop that surrounds them.
Thereafter, travelers should journey to the southern Adirondacks where the season begins and ends later, typically into late October and early November. Then check out the Capital Region outside Albany.
Your ensuing stop should be in the Catskill Mountains and Hudson Valley, as the colors will still be visible into November.
You get the idea – keep moving south to make this your longest foliage season ever!
We recommend bookmarking the I Love New York foliage report which is ready to re-launch on Sept. 14. The site calls on veteran leaf observers around the state sending in their weekly information. That data is reflected on a state map which acts as an easy guide and travel reference.
In the meantime, please keep an eye on our Facebook and Twitter pages. We’ll do our best to bring you current images of the 2022 season of colors around our homestead!