Foliage smackdown, East v. West: Can Western gold rush really stand up to New England crimson?

ABC NEWS Travel September 8, 2009 (AP)

When it comes to autumn color, New England's reputation is five-star. So are Westerners blowing it out their cowboy hats when they claim their golden aspens and cottonwoods can go head to head with Northeastern maples and oaks in October?

"I have never heard any New Englander say, ever, 'I must go to the Rockies to see fall color.' No. We wait until winter to see the powder snow for that trip," said Yankee magazine editor Mel Allen.

Allen added that he loves the West's "mountains, the deserts, the incredible wind-carved rock formations. But no matter how much it wants to sell aspen as the defining color fall, it just doesn't fly."....

FALL FOLIAGE PICKS FOR NEW ENGLAND:...

MAINE: "Begin in Rangeley, Maine, forcing yourself to leave the lake-studded town, and head north on Route 16, then follow Route 27 through Kingfield, then along the Carrabassett River to Sugarloaf Mountain," suggested Allen, the Yankee editor. "In this 45-mile or so drive, your mouth will drop at least a dozen times, and no more so as you wind around what locals call 'Oh My Gosh Corner' and the mountain appears as if dropped from the sky."....

FMI

Jim's comment: "So now, we have to compete with the West for Fall foliage? Oh C'Mon... Do like the ABC coverage, however."