Upper Norton Reservoir (14 October 2020)
As of 14 October 2020, autumn colors were passing their peak to well past peak (with many bare trees) within highest elevations of the High Knob Massif, in peak at the elevation of Flag Rock Recreation Area (3200 feet), and yet to peak at lower elevations below 3000 feet and Flag Rock.
Visitors and those associated with the annual Cloudsplitter 100 may have been disappointed that conditions in highest elevations were looking more like winter than autumn, versus most media reports and projection maps that only consider elevation (which is merely a single factor of many impacting autumn color change, timing, quality, and its duration).
The nice aspect, the massif possesses a large vertical elevation range in combination with diverse terrain settings such that different stages of seasonal transition can always be found over a prolonged period of time.
NOTE: Flag Rock RA is approximately half-way up the massif, which means that the upper one-half of the mountain was past peak color as of 14 October (the peak being abruptly terminated by wind-driven rains associated with Delta).
Upper Norton Reservoir (3318 Feet)
Remnants of hurricane Delta and a subsequent cold front really did a number on leaves at highest elevations, with conditions beginning to look more like winter than autumn on peaks of High Knob, Eagle Knob and others above 3500 feet. Colors already developed were also dulled across the massif area at lower elevations.
Although color will remain good on individual trees and in more protected sites, the general peak has passed at elevations above 3200 to 3500 feet (depending upon the location and exposure) with Flag Rock Recreation Area (highlighted below) being used as the peak zone in this update (14 October 2020).
Color In Middle Portion of Benges Basin
These views generally show the best color, close to brightest extent, with degradation in days following the wind-driven remnants of Delta and subsequent cold frontal passages.
Water Reflections (Norton Reservoir)
The canvas of Mother Nature's autumn palette remained majestic and colorful on both City of Norton reservoirs, even with color somewhat subdued from the incredible beauty of a typical climax.
Water Reflections (Norton Reservoir)
Along main crestlines, one-half or more of trees were already bare or nearly bare as of 14 October, with the best color period being short in duration and mainly restricted to the first week to 10 days of October.
High Knob Lake Basin (Many Bare Trees)
6 October 2020
Autumn color is approaching peak in the high country and is expected to offer some of the best color at elevations above 3000 feet through next week into the weekend of 17-18 October 2020.
Upper Norton Reservoir (6 October 2020)
The most advanced colors, as of 6 October, were within high basins holding Big Cherry Lake, High Knob Lake and the Norton Reservoirs as expected and well documented over the past several decades.
Maples In High Knob Lake Recreation Area
Colors were at peak within high valleys upstream of Big Cherry Lake (not at the Lake) where cold air pools and air temperatures have been below freezing in both September and October, and were approaching peak in High Knob Lake Basin and Benges Basin (of the dual Norton Reservoirs).
Upper Norton Reservoir (6 October 2020)
It is hoped that color will brighten (as typical) into this weekend, and through next week, and that wind driven rains from Delta plus a following upper air trough will not be detrimental. Some trees are already bare at the summit level and locally within the cold air collecting basins (as noted in above photographs).
High Knob Lake Recreation Area
Yellow Birch, American Beech and various Maples and shrubs are showing the best color as of early October.
High Knob Lake Basin
A cold May and near average September, in combination with excessive 2020 wetness, generally worked to delay color changes this autumn.
High Knob Lake Recreation Area
These factors have been identified in a 2013 Harvard University Study on Autumn Color Changes amid a changing climate in New England.
High Knob Lake
Some leaf damage due to acidic clouds engulfing upper elevations appears to have been a factor as well, adding to the complexity already associated with changing autumn colors.
Upper Norton Reservoir & Reflections
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