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Fall foliage in New Hampshire |
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Photogenic maple in New Hampshire |
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Scenic road near Fryeburg, Maine |
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HOW TO FIND THE FOLIAGE
"BLOOM" IN YOUR REGION
The Web is an incredible resource for
information about the reasons for the colors, the location
of the foliage, the types of trees involved, the estimated
duration of the most intense color, maps, telephone numbers,
places to stay or camp, and so on. Your biggest problem may
be extricating yourself from the computer to get out there
before the first snowfall.
Here are some excellent sites to get you
started. Most will list by state, by national forest, by state
park, by region.
RoadTrip America's
Leaf Peeping & Other Fall RoadTrip Attractions
The
Foliage Network
Intellicast
Weather Foliage Map
Foliage
Info from the U.S. Forest Service
Telephone the Fall Color Network for information
about all states: 1-800-354-4595
POPULAR LEAF PEEPING
DRIVES IN THE U.S.
- Arizona: Coconino National Forest
- California: Inyo National Forest
- Colorado: Gunnison National Forest
- Missouri: Mark Twain National
Forest
- New Hampshire: White Mountain
National Forest
- North Carolina: Pisgah National
Forest
- Oregon: Willamette National Forest
- Pennsylvania: Allegheny National
Forest
- Vermont: Green Mountain National
Forest
- Wisconsin: Chequamegon-Nicolet
National Forest
In Maine, Acadia National Park's famed 27-mile
Park Loop Road is one of the most spectacular places to
see the autumnal leaf extravaganza on the east coast. This
drive, completed in 1953, "remains of the most stunning
drives in America" according to Jaimes Kaiser, author
of the definitive work, Acadia:
The Complete Guide.
WHAT
CREATES THE COLOR?
The pigment is there all
the time but is hidden by the chlorophyll that makes the
leaves green. As the weather changes, chlorophyll production
stops, and the other colors are unmasked. Best weather conditions
for the color are days that are bright and cool and nights
that are chilly but not freezing. Adequate rainfall maintains
the leaves on the trees.
Most striking reds are
found on sugar and red maples, northern red oak, sumac, mountain
ash, and tupelo. Yellow is found on birches, white ash, linden,
maples, beech, aspens, and hickories. The season can last
through November, depending on weather conditions and location.
DON'T
FORGET YOUR OWN BACKYARD!
Particularly with fuel prices
as high as they are, make a special effort this year to
find the beautiful foliage near you. Check out all the Web
sites above. Look at your map to locate the forested areas
in your local national forest lands as well as your state
and county parks. I had always wanted to go to New England
in the fall. However, I learned my lesson after I had finally
visited New England and was enthralled with the rich reds,
oranges, and yellows. I described the experience to my stay-at-home-you-won't-catch-me-in-an-RV-ever(!)
old friend, who lives outside of Columbus, Ohio. She said,
"You know, Alice, I just walk out my back door and look
at the old maple tree as it turns to a rich red color, and
I have the fall foliage I dreamed about when we were growing
up in the tenements of New York City."
Next>
Tips For Taking Better Fall Foliage Photos
Alice
Zyetz
10/2/05
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