Fall Foilage Reports

It's that time of year again, when the out-of-area license plates start appearing en masse, and the bus trips start heading up I-91 into VT. The colors of autumn have begun making their first appearances around the Central MA area. My local barometer (the neighbor's sugar maple) actually started (as it always does) in the middle of August; since then, I haven't seen as many changes as in the past.

Last year we peaked late, the constant rains of last fall bringing that about. This year has been relatively dry. If I were to guess, I'd say that we are going to have a good year for color, but peaking around our average time in mid-October.

As always, I'll keep my eyes out during my travels and keep everyone posted.

The incandescent yellows that seem to be brighter than fire that can be found mixed with the evergreens in the high slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountains in California and the draws around Cedar Breaks National Monument in Utah is a sure signal that autumn has arrived.

Mark

Mark, I don't think you're ever going to get anyone who has been through a few New England Autumns to ever vote for anything else. I have been in the Rockies for the aspens, and in the upper Midwest and Appalachia as well, and I have yet to see anything that compares with New England. Coming around that long seeping curve north into Pinkham Notch, driving the Kankamagus, cresting Evans Notch and looking south into the Mt Washington Valley, the vista over the white steeples of Randolph from I-89. Those sights are with me to this day and are the spectacles that I judge everything against.

AZBuck

AZBuck,

Yeah, I know those New England vistas are hard to beat. Here some some images from that area. Some of my favorite autumnal memories involve walking through a near-blizzard of falling leaves on a small country lane in New Hampshire. With almost no effort I can remember the aroma of the crisp early morning air and the surreal sound of that many leaves flluttering to the ground, but my point in posing this poll is to remind us that this annual change of the seasons can be witnessed in every part of the Americas....

Mark

The Upper Midwest doesn't even make that ballot!??!

I will admit that I haven't made it to New England during the fall (yet), but I have a hard time believing that the north east can be that much more spectacular than the brilliant color displays we can get in this part of the country.

I was up in the UP over the weekend, and there was just a hint of change, but give it about a month, and there will be some really specacular viewing to be had, driving through a sea of Red, Orange, and Yellow. With the hint of fall that's already in the air, I think this is going to be a very good year for color around here.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Midwest Michael

The Upper Midwest doesn't even make that ballot!??!

---

Yep, that was a boo-boo. I have always liked the area around Wisconsin Rapids (in central Wisconsin) -- it is pretty fun to drive the Cranberry Trail this time of year and see the millions of cranberries in the fields.

Quote:

---

I will admit that I haven't made it to New England during the fall (yet), but I have a hard time believing that the north east can be that much more spectacular than the brilliant color displays we can get in this part of the country.

---

Well said. I will add a category for the upper mid-west.

Quote:

---

I was up in the UP over the weekend, and there was just a hint of change, but give it about a month, and there will be some really specacular viewing to be had, driving through a sea of Red, Orange, and Yellow. With the hint of fall that's already in the air, I think this is going to be a very good year for color around here.

---

We want details, details -- where to go and what there is to be seen!

Mark

Well, I'm personally biased towards the Mississippi River valley. The Hardwood Forested Bluffs really can explode with color from near the Twin Cities, down to around Dubuque, Iowa.

If you head farther north, there are limitless places, and you'll get a few more evergreen trees into the Mix. Up along the Great Lakes, Say the North Shore of Lake Superior between Duluth and Thunder Bay, The Apostle Islands in Northern Wisconsin, Pictured Rocks in the UP, or Door County, are all places with lots of good viewing opportunities.

And then of course, there is so much good forest land that sometimes you'll just run right into great foliage without trying. About 2 years ago, I was driving on just the right day to see peak color along I-90 near Wisconsin Dells. The Reds and Oranges were so brilliant, its really hard to describe.

The only places I've been to on this list during the fall are the Sierra Nevadas and Wisconsin/UP of Michigan.
Two Octobers ago I flew out to Green Bay for a Packers game and did some fishing up in Door County. That drive through Door County was absolutely breathtaking and the images still sit in my head. The day after the game I had nothing to do so I took a cruise up the UP to Escanaba, MI and I gotta say that this drive was just as beautiful. Colorful trees on one side, Lake Michigan on the other, deer all over the road, simply amazing.

Thanks,
Brett

I just drove through a section of the Colorado Rockies and I have never seen the hillsides change so quickly. The explosion of yellows and oranges on the Aspens is peaking right now allow the I-70 corridor between Vail and Denver and south down to Leadville and the surrounding canyons. At the current rate, much of the higher "blooms" will be over by next weekend. But, right now -- Ah!!!!!!!!!! it takes one's breath away!

Mark

Our colors are changing slowly, with more noticeable hues of red and orange creating a "halo" on many of the trees around the area.

Reminds me of Hostess Sno-Balls.

Anyway, in parts of my travels, I am noticing a lot of leaves on the ground. I know they're coming from somewhere, but the evidence on the trees themselves is lacking.

If the weather cooperates, we're planning a trip North tomorrow. I'll fill you in.

We headed Northwest of town, into the Northern part of the Connecticut River valley, for a hike up in Greenfield, MA.

I was really surprised to see that, if anything, the trees up in this area are less changed than those in the Central part of the state. Just a few spots of color here and there. The weather has been quite warm for the past week, reaching into the 80's today in some locations, and rather humid, too. We need some cold snaps to get things motivated (though I'm perfectly content to hang on to the warmth...)

We did find, however, a great place for some really spectacular 360-degree views - Poet's Seat Tower in Greenfield. You can see for miles from up there, and it's really accessible from route 2A and US-5/MA-10.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mass Tim

We did find, however, a great place for some really spectacular 360-degree views - Poet's Seat Tower in Greenfield. You can see for miles from up there, and it's really accessible from route 2A and US-5/MA-10.

---

Good to know, that is a spot I wasn't familiar with.

Mark

Just to say that Zion Kolob Canyon looked amazing today. On the canyon sides there are some amazing reds and oranges to be seen. Spectacular!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jw133

Just to say that Zion Kolob Canyon looked amazing today. On the canyon sides there are some amazing reds and oranges to be seen. Spectacular!

---

Sitting here in the RTA office working on tomorrow's edition, -- glad to know someone is out there enjoying the fall bloom!

Mark

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mass Tim

Our colors are changing slowly, with more noticeable hues of red and orange creating a "halo" on many of the trees around the area.

Reminds me of Hostess Sno-Balls.

---

Hostess Sno-balls? Are you hungry per chance?

Mark

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Editor

Hostess Sno-balls? Are you hungry per chance?

---

Nah, just thinking of a way to describe it and that's what came to mind!

Some slow changes here - after a significant weekend rainstorm, some colors are becoming more vibrant. This year's rumor was that the leaves were just going to turn brown and fall off. This is every year's rumor, based on speculation and not much else. So far it doesn't appear this is true.

I forgot to mention another good and easily accessible place for views of the Connecticut River Valley - Skinner State Park. This is on top of Mount Holyoke in the uniquely-laid out Holyoke Mountain Range.

So far this Fall the weather has been nicer than usual (and definitely nicer than last year's deluge). Today we were fortunate enough to be able to hike the trails at Northfield Mountain.

From the summit you can see miles into the Vermont mountains (Haystack, Stratton, etc). This is a hydroelectric plant that utilizes gravity in the same vein as that of the Kinzua facility in Pennsylvania.

I haven't seen a great increase in the vibrancy of color since a few weeks ago. There's definitely -more- color, but it's not yet that stunningly beautiful scene of photographs.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mass Tim

From the summit you can see miles into the Vermont mountains (Haystack, Stratton, etc). This is a hydroelectric plant that utilizes gravity in the same vein as that of the Kinzua facility in Pennsylvania.

---

Thanks for the report -- reminds me I should get away from this desk and go for a walk soon. I suspect that Midwest Michael is overwise engaged, but it is supposed to be peaking in his back-yard this week. It would be nice to see this year.

Mark

Thanks to everyone who helped me with the information. Looks like this was one of the not too good seasons for fall colours. Some were still green while others had fallen off due to rain.
Tioga pass was temporarily closed in the morning. We did skid a lil in the ice, even. But it was fine. A lil snow -got some good shots.
We checked out initially in the Bishop area. Bishop creek canyon was real cool. North lake was the best. South lake and lake Sabrina not that much colour. While in Bishop, we got to see the car show-people in all different custom-made/designed cars showing off... It was a delight to see.

Mammoth lakes basin did not have anything interesting. So, we visited the Rock creek canyon, Convict lake & Mcgee creek canyon. Mcgee creek was magical. Yellow leaves on the ground with a creek closeby.

June lake did not have much. But, Silver Lake was very pretty.
Lundy canyon was disappointing, though. We did not have time to go any further.

So, anyone planning a trip, make hay while the sun shines.

cool

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by cool

Mcgee creek was magical. Yellow leaves on the ground with a creek closeby.

---

Thahks for this field report.

Mark

I just got back from a trip to Quebec's North Shore & Lower St. Lawrence. About half of the leaves are gone in the Lower St. Lawrence area (very windy) where it was all orange yellow and red a few weeks ago. On the North Shore, the leafy trees are all golden. In the Townships the colors are peaking : red, oranges, yellow and green while there is still a lot of green in VT and northwestern NH.

It looks like it's the end of the "Indian summer" here, it's getting colder and cloudy. The leaves will probably be gone in a week and a half or two weeks:o(

Gen

I like all color, but the scenery we have here around the Chain of Lakes in northeastern Illinois (and of course, nearby Lake Geneva, Wi.) as well as US 20 from Freeport, Il. to Dubuque, Iowa, is hard to beat. Bluffs and lots of hills make for some delectable views.

I just got back from a week on and around Chesapeake Bay. Colors there are just coming up on peak, but there is a decided difference between the Eastern Shore and the mainland (or western shore - I don't know that it has a corresponding name.) Around Washington, Baltimore and Annapolis colors are very close to peak especially as you move onto and above the Fall Line (the demarcation between the Piedmont Plateau and the Coastal Plain) with a good sprinkling of brighter reds and oranges among the trees. On the Delmarva Peninsula, the colors are less developed and a good bit more muted. I'm not sure exactly why there should be such a marked difference, but I did notice more oak and chestnut trees and did not see any maples that I recall on the peninsula. On the other hand, the whole Eastern Shore is speckled in state forests, parks and national wildlife refuges and it is actually a vital stop along the Eastern or Atlantic Flyway. There were times when the sky was nearly black with the ducks and geese headed south, so it offered pleasures that the more populated western shore of the Chesapeake simply couldn't. In any event, the trip was a good fix for this former New Englander - it's been too long since I've really had a chance to just walk along a coastline with Fall foliage and a nip in the air

AZBuck

I took a road trip today around the Eastern Townships and northern Vermont and there's not much color left anywhere. It's been snowing and raining since 3-4 days and it looks like we're going to get some more this week. Meaning all the leaves will be gone by next week.:o(( Some areas already have some serious floods, let's hope this rain will stop pretty soon!

Gen who misses the heat and the desert

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by AZBuck

it's been too long since I've really had a chance to just walk along a coastline with Fall foliage and a nip in the air

---

AZBuck, It has been way too long for me too. Thanks for stirring those memories!

Mark

We definitely are going to have to make it out to New England for that foliage, maybe next fall.

Also, I'm sure Route 66 through the Ozarks in Missouri has to be quite the sight.

Of course, Lake Geneva, Wi, will knock your soxs off, especially the south shore.

This weekends rough weather has blown most of the leaves off of the trees around my house. The gusts of wind (which have been blowing for about 12 hours now) have taken care of what yesterday's downpour didn't.

As of yesterday morning, my usual commute route still had some color, but this year's hasn't been as vivid compared to years past.

So, as I often do, I like to keep in check with what is going on in other parts of the country, and I came across this story from the Richmond Times Dispatch. It sounds like they're having a better year with this than we did up here in MA.

I have lived in the state of kentucky all my life, I have visited most of the eastern coast states from NewYork down, and some of the southern states... I still dont think I have ever seen a more beautiful fall than in the hills of the appalachin. Down here in Harlan we have a wonderful fall there is no better time to go out on your four-wheelers (quad-bikes to some), or your mountain crawlers and visit. We are rated America's number one fourwheeler destination. haha enough bragging on my home county.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by speck

Down here in Harlan we have a wonderful fall there is no better time to go out on your four-wheelers (quad-bikes to some), or your mountain crawlers and visit.

---

Sounds really good to me. I don't think Kentucky can get too much braggin'! Do you have a preferred trail or road that you can recommend to us?

Mark

I took a little hop over to Longview, Texas this morning and it looks like the leaves are finally starting to change. Lots of burgundies, reds and yellows on the Sweet Gums and Oaks. Of course, being in the middle of the great pine forest, there's always a lot of green in the woods, so that's still the dominant color.

Laura

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Editor

Sounds really good to me. I don't think Kentucky can get too much braggin'! Do you have a preferred trail or road that you can recommend to us?

Mark

---

I know a few areas but they go by local names and such, maps wouldn't have them on it, But you can go to this site and check it out for more details. I personally think KingdomCome State park in Cumberland (just a ways past the city of Harlan). It is a wonderful place to visit no matter the time of year. Black bears are making a big return to the hills here, and if your lucky you may see one or more! Just last summer I was hiking the trail to Log Rock in KindomCome with my old girlfriend and we came face to face with a male bear about three years of age, it was a wonderful if not slighty lifethreatening experiance.