Last year's fall foliage sucked. We had some bad storms and freezing temps that killed the leaves before they could change color. I haven't been to NH or VT during the fall, but I've heard it's gorgeous (esp. the . However, I've seen some pretty falls in Ohio as well (esp. up near where my mother lives, where it's really hilly). BTW -- if anyone is in the Mansfied area during peak foliage season, head up to Mt. Jeez near Malabar Farm. Beautiful views.
OHIO VISTAS
One of the Buckeye State's most dramatic views during the Fall Color season is just off a paved parking lot at Scioto Trail State Forest in south central Ohio. This majestic vista of the Scioto River Valley is one of the many breathtaking views ODNR recommends for a fall foliage visit in coming weeks.
While enjoying this overlook at
Scioto Trail State Forest is as simple as rolling down the car window, others require a bit more foot work, such as the view from the gorge rim at
Conkle's Hollow State Nature Preservein Hocking County, though it is certainly worth the hike.
"Conkle's Hollow is one of the most spectacular features within the Hocking Hills region, especially during the fall," said Casey Munchel, fall color forester. "The view from the east rim trail at Conkle's Hollow is unbeatable. The trees and plants are alive with brilliant color both within the gorge and above it."
Farther south, along the Ohio River, the ridge tops at
Shawnee State Park and State Forest offer spectacular views of the Appalachian region and Ohio River Valley. The rugged beauty of the area has earned it the nickname "The Little Smokies" and one of its most scenic vistas can be enjoyed from the lodge at Shawnee State Park. Surrounded by hickory, oak, black gum, buckeye and sassafras trees, the woodlands and water here reflect a seemingly unending rainbow of fall color.
If your fall color explorations take you to northeastern Ohio, consider a stop at the Sprucevale Lookout at
Beaver Creek State Park. The views up the valley of the Little Beaver Creek State Wild and Scenic River are stunning. A hike along the river trail, which hugs the Little Beaver Creek, will not disappoint. This and other park trails take visitors to historic canal locks and along a steep-walled gorge.
The hiking trail at
Hach-Otis State Nature Preserve in Lake County boasts a sweeping valley view featuring the Chagrin State Scenic River. Beech, maple, oak and eastern hemlock trees line deep ravines. See their rich fall colors as they reflect beautifully in the river.
Discover the limitless opportunities for fall color vistas at one of the state's most diverse natural regions -
Mohican State Park and State Forest in north central Ohio. The Mohican Overlook Picnic Area, accessible from the park's south entrance, offers an outstanding view of the Clearfork Gorge - a National Natural Landmark. Miles of trails take visitors to several interesting areas of the park and forest, including two waterfalls, a scenic wooden bridge and Pleasant Hill Lake.
Along the Sandusky State Scenic River - one can find beautiful fall color vistas at
Collier State Nature Preserve in southern Seneca County. A boardwalk leads visitors to a large wooded river corridor with viewing platforms along the way. With its large oaks, sycamores, ash, cottonwoods and tulip trees, this northwest Ohio nature preserve provides an impressive show of fall foliage.
A place with countless spectacular views is
Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve and adjacent
John Bryan State Park in western Ohio. The most breathtaking views of all can be found along the Narrows Trail of the gorge, which features several overlook areas.
The preserve and park showcase the
Little Miami State and National Scenic River, featuring beautiful waterfalls and rapids. The shaded, north-facing slopes of the gorge provide a cool, moist environment for northern tree species, such as hemlock, red baneberry, Canada yew, arbor-vitae and mountain maple. It is truly spectacular in the fall.
To the east lies
Shallenberger State Nature Preserve, known for Allen Knob - a promontory of resistant sandstone. A challenging, but rewarding hike to the top of this 240-foot summit provides an impressive panorama of the surrounding countryside and central Ohio lowland plains.
The brilliant colors of fall are sure to please sightseers visiting the forested hills of Muskingum County, particularly at
Blue Rock State Park and State Forest. Dominated by oaks and hickories, the area's fall color show will be on view from the park's upper campground off of Corns Road. A stretch of gravel roadway on Natural Resources Road 8 within the 4,579-acre state forest offers those who prefer to stay in the car another way to enjoy the reds and yellows of autumn splendor.
How to find these great vistas:
- Scioto Trail State Forest (Scioto County) - Vista is on Natural Resources Road 4 (Martin Road), which is accessible from the park's and forest's U.S. Route 23 entrance. Additional vistas can be found further north in the forest off of Natural Resources Road 2 (North Ridge Road).
- Conkles Hollow State Nature Preserve (Hocking County) - The best views are from the east rim trail, a short hike from the preserve's parking lot. The preserve is accessible from State Route 374.
- Shawnee State Park and State Forest (Scioto County) - The park lodge and its scenic vista are accessible from State Route 125. Views can also be found at the dam of Turkey Creek Lake and at the beach at Roosevelt Lake.
- Beaver Creek State Park (Columbiana County) - The Sprucevale Lookout is on Sprucevale Road near the primitive campground and Hambleton's Mill. Beautiful views also can be found from the river trail along the Little Beaver Creek.
- Hach-Otis State Nature Preserve (Lake County) - This scenic view can be found less than a mile from the preserve's entrance off State Route 174.
- Mohican State Park and State Forest (Richland and Ashland counties) - The Mohican Overlook Picnic Area is accessible from the south entrance off of Route 97. Nearby Malabar Farm State Park also offers great views from Mt. Jeez, accessible from Pleasant Valley Road.
- Howard Collier State Nature Preserve (Seneca County) - The best vistas are from the preserve's boardwalk along the Sandusky River. Entrance to the preserve is off Township Road 38.
- Shallenberger State Nature Preserve (Fairfield County) - The promontory at Shallenberger is accessible from U.S. Route 22. Take Beck's Knob Road to the marked preserve parking area.
- Blue Rock State Park and State Forest (Muskingum County) - The view from the upper campground is accessible from County Road 45 (Cutler Lake Road). The forest's scenic roadway is on Natural Resources Road 8, near the forest headquarters off County Road 45.
http://www.ohiodnr.com/fallcolor/vistas.htm
NEW ENGLAND FOLIAGE
New England >
Topics of Interest >
Foliage
About New England's Foliage
Every autumn throughout New England, diminishing length of daylight and falling temperatures induce trees to shed billions of tons of leaves. Preceding this preparation for winter the trees present a spectacular color show. Leaves that have been green all summer turn to brilliant shades of yellow, orange, and red.
These color changes are caused by transformations in leaf pigments, primarily the green pigment chlorophyll. During summer, the leaves of trees are producing sugar from carbon dioxide and water by the workings of light and chlorophyll. Chlorophyll causes the leaves to appear green.
The shorter days and cool nights of autumn set off changes in the tree. One is the growth of a corky membrane at the base of the leaf stem, which interrupts the flow of nutrients into the leaf. This stops the production of chlorophyll in the leaf, and the green color of the leaf fades, allowing the reds, oranges and yellows to burst forth. The best autumn colors are produced when dry, sunny days are followed by cool, dry nights.
Color may begin to appear in isolated spots in far northern New England the first week in September. Typically, the color change begins at the higher elevations and in the northern part of the region mid-September and moves southward through mid-to-late October, ending in southern New England coastal areas at the end of October.
Visitors who travel to see our spectacular foliage are known as, ?Leaf-Peepers.? While on your excursion do stop at country stores, orchards, local restaurants and shops. We have suggested some routes for you to drive. We also suggest that you try some backroads. Get a local map, and don?t worry about getting lost. You?ll always bump into a main road sooner or, hopefully, later.
Foliage Maps and Reports
Use the New England Foliage Map to determine where and when you are likely to see the best foliage. Once foliage season begins the Foliage Reports will be regularly updated.
New England Foliage Map
New England Foliage Report
New England Map
http://www.visitnewengland.com/current_category.77/current_advcategory.290/companies_list.html
