Artists Bluff
Franconia Notch, New Hampshire · 2,337 ft
A bare rock knob above Echo Lake looks down the length of Franconia Notch, with Cannon Mountain's cliffs facing you across the gap. Both notch walls fill the frame, so the color reads as two opposing slopes rather than flat canopy.
Seasonal model estimate. Timing remains uncertain; check recent reports before traveling. Source: seasonal timing model. Calculated .
Typical peak
Sep 27 – Oct 5
A few weeks out. Expect this to move by several days.
Best light
Best at sunset
Classic view faces SSE (165°)
Crowds
extreme
Expect heavy peak-weekend traffic; consider a weekday or arrive before dawn.
Getting there
Park at the Echo Lake and Bald Mountain lot on NH Route 18 at the north end of Franconia Notch State Park and climb about 0.3 mile of steep, rooty trail.
What turns here
- red maple
- paper birch
- american beech
Color progression
Typical peak Oct 1Typical color progression for Artists Bluff. No change from Aug 24 to Sep 10. First color from Sep 10 to Sep 19. Approaching peak from Sep 19 to Sep 27. Peak from Sep 27 to Oct 5. Past peak from Oct 5 to Oct 15. Bare from Oct 15 to Oct 29.
Artists Bluff is typically at first color on this date.
Light at peak
Artists Bluff on October 1, the center of its typical peak window.
| Event | Time |
|---|---|
| First light (blue hour) Sun 6° below horizon | 6:15 AM |
| Sunrise Rises E · 94° | 6:44 AM |
| Morning golden hour ends 38 min of low, warm light | 7:22 AM |
| Solar noon Highest sun, flattest light | 12:36 PM |
| Evening golden hour starts 38 min before sunset | 5:50 PM |
| Sunset Sets W · 266° | 6:28 PM |
| Last light (blue hour) Sun 6° below horizon | 6:57 PM |
Times in America/New York · day length 11h 44m · computed from NOAA solar equations
Which way to point the camera
Both ends of the day: side-lit
Side light. Best for texture and depth across a ridge, and the safest bet for contrast.
Based on the classic composition here facing SSE (165°).
Shooting conditions
Glassy water, wind blur, and what the cloud will do to your light.
Recent reports
What people actually saw here. Been recently? Add yours.