Trippin' for autumn leaves

FOLIAGE DRIVES: Options abound for folks looking to take a leaf-peeping trip in the region

JEFFREY P. MAYOR; The News Tribune | • Published October 16, 2009

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Although it's late in the season, there are still plenty of opportunities to see the fall leaves in their full colorful glory.

Hillsides around Puget Sound and east of the mountains offers a variety of color from orange mountain ash, the red and orange leaves of vine maples, huckleberry bushes adorned in red and big leaf maples seemingly afire in bright yellow, all set against dark green conifers.

Here are some options, near and far, if you are looking for a place to take the family to see some fall leaves.

GIFFORD PINCHOT NATIONAL FOREST

Fall colors are still very good in the Cowlitz and Cispus valleys below 2,500 feet. Particularly colorful are the cottonwoods and maples. This coming weekend should still be good for fall foliage at lower elevations, weather depending; www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/recreation/autumn-colors/index.shtml.

Ashford: Enter Mount Rainier National Park on Highway 706, passing through Longmire and Paradise. Take Stevens Canyon Road east to Highway 123. Go right on Highway 123 to U.S 12, and go west to Packwood. Take Skate Creek Road (Forest Road 52) west to its junction with Highway 706. This loop requires an entrance fee to the park.

Randle: Take U.S. 12 east to Johnson Creek Road (Forest Road 21) near Packwood. Go south on FR 21 to FR 23 and then back to Randle. Forest Road 21 is mostly gravel and has some washboard sections, but FR 23 is paved. There might be a little snow at Hugo Lake, which is the high point of FR 21 at about 4,200 feet.

OLYMPIA

Capitol State Forest: Located southwest of Olympia, the 91,650-acre forest’s network of nearly 575 miles of roads offers plenty of foliage options, just create your own loop. Be wary that some roads might be closed and there are plenty of other users in the forest. The Rock Candy entrance provides access off Highway 8 about 4 1/2 miles west of the U.S. 101 exit; www.dnr.wa.gov.

OLYMPIC NATIONAL FOREST

Hoodsport loop: Take Highway 119 north from Hoodsport to the intersection with Forest Road 24. Go right, heading east on FR 24, until you intersect with U.S. 101. You can return home via Hoodsport or north via the Hood Canal bridge; www.fs.fed.us/r6/olympic/conditions.

CLE ELUM AREA

Lake Cle Elum: Head to the lake along Highway 903 out of Cle Elum. The area is close to its peak in terms of colors. Some aspen have begun to turn but most are still green. Cottonwoods have just begun to turn color and should peak in the next two weeks. You can make a loop drive by heading east on the West Fork Teanaway Road, coming back to Cle Elum on Highway 970; www.fs.fed.us/r6/wenatchee/recreation/report/#cleelum.

Blewett Pass: Highway 97 is a good option for those wanting to see the Western larch trees turn from green to gold. The larches are just starting to show their colors. You can make it an overnight trip with a stay in Leavenworth or Wenatchee.

NORTH SOUND

Chuckanut Drive: Red vine maples and yellow big-leaf maples in the stream gorges along the road are joined by the red bark and berries of madronas. This is a winding 22-mile route that follows the rocky shoreline above Samish Bay and Chuckanut Bay, heading north from Burlington to Bellingham. There are lots of roadside pull-offs, so you’ll have lots of chances to get out and enjoy the foliage, along with views of the San Juans Islands.

Mountain Loop Highway: Take the drive from Granite Falls to Darrington, displays brilliant fall color. Driving the Loop with side excursions to the Sunrise Mine road, Mount Pilchuck road and Coal Lake road will reward you with great views of fall foliage.

Cascade Loop Scenic Byway: The Cascade Loop cuts across the heart of the North Cascade Mountain. Stretching 400 miles, the route crosses many of the state’s diverse landscapes including saltwater beaches, rugged mountain peaks, fruit orchards and evergreen forests. This would bee a good weekend trip; www.cascadeloop.com/index.php.

SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON

U.S. 101: Folks traveling the corridor from Raymond to Naselle will find the roadside dotted with vine maples with leaves turning orange and red.

Columbia River Gorge: Follow Highway 14 and travel along the 80 miles of rock cliffs, some of which rise to 4,000 vertical feet. This time of year produces vibrant pink, orange and yellow leaves among the forests; www.experiencewa.com/scenic-byways/columbia-river-gorge.aspx.

Jeffrey P. Mayor: 253-597-8640

jeff.mayor@thenewstribune.com

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