Hikers around the Granite State are enjoying what’s left of the fall colors. One favorite viewing spot: North America’s most frequently hiked mountain.
On October’s peak foliage weekends, up to 7,000 people visit Monadnock State Park. The summit is packed—you can bump into just about anyone. Neuroscience student Maddie Diaz drove up with some PhD students from Brandeis University. She’s originally from Miami.
"This is not only my first hike, but my first opportunity to see autumn foliage," Diaz says. "Oh, the view is stunning. I've never seen colors like this before!"
Last year, more than 600,000 tourists visited NH during Columbus Day weekend, pumping an estimated nearly $90 million into the state's economy. Foliage is a major reason why. Trees are now near peak or just past it in most parts of the state.
