This has also been placed on the Canada Board (Quebec).

OK, so I know this is a tired old question, and impossible to answer, but all I'm really seeking is comments for my consideration. In the final analysis, I have to make the call.
Our original plan to do a fall foliage tour of New England has morphed into a pre-extend into Montreal and Quebec City, all of which is a first for us Californians. We are getting excited about seeing those lovely cities.
Our times are flexible: we are thinking more than 2 weeks, less than 4 weeks.
While our times are flexible, it is generally necessary, I understand, to secure reservations throughout the area for this time of year, which means we have to commit to the timing well in advance. Like now.
Ideally, of course, we will see magnificent colors in Montreal and Quebec areas, then kind of follow the colors south into northern and central Vermont and New Hampshire. At least that's the plan.
The usual response for most of New England is the first two weeks of October are usually (most of the time) peak leaf peeping times. But, of course, the farther north, the earlier the season.

Some of the books I read regarding peak leaf time in Montreal and Quebec say the last week of September, and stays strong most of October. Fodors says it can start as early as the first week of September in the Montreal and Quebec areas.

My current plan is to fly in and out of Burlington, head immediately to Montreal for about 3 nights, Quebec City 4 nights, thence south into northern Vermont for the rest of the time, looping back to Burlington for the trip home.

Should this trip start as early as mid-September; say around Sep 15 or 20? Earlier?

Subject of course to the vagaries of nature, any thoughts and comments on timing would be appreciated.

I've been in Stowe VT the third weekend in Sept and not seen any color at all so I don't think I would go to Canada any earlier than Sept 20. It's funny, I've lived in NH my whole life and, to me, color builds gradually and I'm never sure when peak is. However, a friend with a camp in northern NH (above the mountains) claims she has seen peak color develop overnight. I live just south of the lakes region.

There are amazing differences in climate just within a few miles. One year a town north of us had a horrible ice storm. We had more rain. On my commute home on a wintery night, I've gone from rain to snow in just a few miles. Color is affected by temperature and temps are different all over the place thanks to all our hills and valleys. Different trees/varieties also change at different times. I might see swamp maples turning red in early September but the sugar maples don't start to change until early October. For Concord NH, I always consider Columbus day weekend to be about the best color. Oaks and beeches don't change until a bit later. The sugar maples are the ones that show green/orange/yellow all on the same tree. Swamp maples go green to red. Color will probably have different timing in the Champlain Valley of VT compared to the Green Mountains area and also compared to along the CT River valley along the NH border.

Thank you dfrostnh. Your details are very interesting. We have made notes of the different types of maples. I know this is difficult to predict. What color we have here can vary by several weeks. Can last a long time, or a few days if a storm comes through. Thanks again.

I also got some interesting responses on the Canada board, so now I think get to Quebec Province say 25th or 26th or so. Should put us well into Vermont and NH by the 5th of Oct for couple of weeks

I live in Waterbury VT, in the mountains of the north central part of the state. The best time to be here in generally the first two weeks of October. The foliage change started early last year - a little before mid September if memory serves. There were predictions that it would therefore end early but they were wrong and we have good color in abundance through mid-October. Even after that, there are still areas where the foliage looks very good. It depends upon elevation and which direction the hillside is facing. In the Lake Champlain valley (the islands, Burlington, down Route 7 to Middlebury), the leaves are about a week behind us because the lake water is still warm and that in turn warms the air.

Here two URL's on the same website that I think you will find very helpful: http://www.vermontvacation.com/Vermo...geCentral.aspx

- look at old reports to see what happened last year
- suggested drives

A fun and educational animated map of how the colors progress from high elevations to lower, and from northern VT to southern VT http://www.vermontvacation.com/fallf...oliage2010.asp

Note the column of dates next to the map with a pointer corresponding the dates to the foliage progress on that map. You can click Pause to slow it down - the animation goes quickly but it also loops and you can watch it for a while to get the idea.

Northern NH is beautiful also and we recommend to our guests that they drive the Kancamagus highway, Route 112. Most people here just call it "the Kanc." It is not really a highway - it's a two lane road. If you have ever been on the Blue Ridge Parkway or Skyline Drive, this road will remind you of them with vistas that are truly magnificent. In my mind, it is one of the top drives anywhere in the country. Drive it going west in the morning and east in the afternoon if you can so that sun is not in your eyes.

I can't help you with Canada foliage but I have been to Mont Tremblant in summer and recommend that area. I think it is about 1.5 hours north of Montreal. The resort itself is very expensive but beautiful. You may find cheaper lodging including some B&B's nearby. Or just take a day trip while you are staying in Montreal.

One other tip: if you have not been to New England before, you will be amazed at how small it is, especially compared to western states. I think our NE states are about the same size as some counties out west! You don't have to change lodging places often. Just pick a few and make day trips. You will also want to have jacket, sweater, rain coat. Night time temps can be in the lower 30's. The first two weekends in October are very busy so I suggest making dinner reservations because the restaurants are full or have long waits.

You're smart to plan now but there is no rush. And you have the benefit of being here for a long enough time to see plenty of good color. Sometimes travelers try to grab the peak in one or two days but that's not always possible. I'm sure you will have a great trip.

Jeff, thanks so much for those links. Outstanding and I will study them a bit more. I think I have the right timing, or as close as you can call it at this time. We'll hit Montreal about Sep 27. That will have us coming into northeast Vermont about the 5th of Oct for about 10 days or so.

Yes, I have "the Kanc" on my list of must do. Near the top. Plenty has been written about that road, and I am looking forward to it. Good tip about driving with the sun at my back. Thanks.

Montreal and Quebec are very urban and there is not much foliage to see. Quebec is more interesting. East and north of Quebec along the St. Lawrence is where I would go for colours in a beautiful context. Canadian Thanksgiving is on the second Monday in October so it can be busy but that is past the peak. The Gaspesie Mountain Park and Tadousac with the Saguenay Fjord is worth the trouble. The Gaspe coast is also worth the trip. If that's too far, the lakes in the Eastern Townships are (see Mt Owls Head and Magog) where to be. The recent movie Barney's Version shows Lake Memprhamagog at that time of year. New England tends to be more crowded - you might want to try the Adirondacks at Lake Placid and drive up Whiteface. Ottawa is another destination and there are lovely hills with great colour on the Quebec side of the Ottawa River - and the Thousand Islands on a boat ride are worth a detour too.

As mentioned in the previous post, the Eastern Townships are lovely, especially in the fall. One of our favorite inns is Ripple Cove on Lake Massawippi. It is in the town of Ayers Cliff, only about 15 miles north of the Vermont crossing at Derby Line. It is near Lake Memphremagog and the town of Magog, which is a fun place to visit. Another great little town is Knowlton, also in the Eastern Townships, but west of Lake Memphremagog and closer to Owls Head.

The Abbey of St. Benoit du Lac is a beautiful spot on the western shore of Lake Memphemagog. There are orchards and apple picking in the fall.