Foliage Reports: October 11, 2006
Maine’s coastal towns and villages nearing peak foliage color
This weekend will be the best time to catch the brightest and boldest foliage color along Maine’s coastline, according to the state Department of Conservation’s (DOC) fifth 2006 foliage report.
Forest rangers and state park rangers are reporting near peak to peak color change in the foliage tracking zones stretching from Kittery to Eastport. When a tree reaches peak color, its leaves are only 75 percent toward being fully transformed, according to the DOC foliage color key. Many coastal locations are currently showing color at the low end of peak and are expected to reach 100 percent color change by the weekend or early next week.
Downeast locations like Castine and Machias offer spectacular foliage with views of bays and harbors. Acadia National Park and other places on Mount Desert Island should offer great foliage on hiking and biking trails this weekend.
In the mid-coast region, leaf peepers can find great foliage color in towns like Wiscasset, Damariscotta, and Waldoboro. Fort Edgecomb, located just north of Wiscasset off Route 1, overlooks the Sheepscot River and is a beautiful spot for a fall picnic.
Foliage color throughout central and eastern Maine is being reported at peak. It’s a great time for a drive around the Belgrade Lakes north of Augusta, or to paddle a canoe or kayak in one of the hundreds of lakes or ponds of Washington County.
The final foliage report for the 2006 season will be posted here on Wednesday, Oct. 18. Updated conditions are also available on the state foliage hotline at 1-888-MAINE-45. Learn more about scenic driving routes and Maine’s fall fairs, festivals and outdoor activities at www.visitmaine.com.
Visitors to the site can sign up to receive weekly foliage reports by e-mail. The site also offers a Live Help feature with Department of Conservation staff on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. EST.
Press contact: Kevin Gove, Nancy Marshall Communications, Email: kgove@marshallpr.com, Phone: (207) 623-4177.
Current Conditions - The Foliage Conditions map on this page is the foliage zone map used by Maine Forest Service Rangers when reporting fall foliage conditions. See Also: Description of Zones
Week of October 11, 2006
| Zone Number |
Color Change |
Leaf Drop |
| 7 |
Past Peak |
High |
| 6 |
Past Peak |
High |
| 5 |
Past Peak |
High |
| 4 |
Peak |
Moderate |
| 3 |
Peak |
Moderate |
| 2 |
Peak |
Moderate |
| 1 |
Peak |
Moderate |
Foliage Zones
Zone 7: Northeastern Maine, including Fort Kent, Caribou, and Presque Isle
Zone 6: Northwestern Maine
Zone 5: Western Mid-Maine, including Greenville, Rangeley, Bethel
Zone 4: Eastern Mid-Maine, including Houlton, Millinocket, and Calais
Zone 3: Central and Southwestern Maine, including Bangor, Augusta, and Fryeburg
Zone 2: DowneastMaine, including Machias, Bar Harbor, and Penobscot Bay
Zone 1: Mid-Coast and South Coastal Maine, including Camden, Portland, Kennebunkport, and Kittery
