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Oct
29
Written by:
news editor
10/29/2008 1:00 AM
10/29/08 Fall color is fading across the majority of the state with some parks still reporting peak color conditions
Ohio Fall Color Update #5 - October 29
Autumn Colors Fading Across Ohio
EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the fifth in a series of updates, highlighting some of the best locations to enjoy Ohio's Fall Color season. Updated reports are available from ODNR each Wednesday through early November. Each week will also feature a getaway destination in a region of Ohio showing peak color.
COLUMBUS, Ohio- Fall color is fading across the majority of the state with some parks still reporting peak color conditions, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).
“With the freezes at night and wind over the next week, the leaves should continue to drop off the trees and finish up the fall color season,” said Casey Munchel, fall color specialist for the ODNR Division of Forestry.
Most leaves are turning brown or falling to the forest floor across the state. However, late turners such as oaks and hickories are just beginning to change to yellow and have good color. Hocking Hills State Park is full of these trees and is still reporting near peak color conditions.
Seasonal events are slated for Hocking Hills State Park in Hocking County, Mount Gilead State Park in Morrow County, Hueston Woods State Park in Preble County, Malabar Farm State Park in Richland County and Van Buren State Park in Hancock County.
Arrange a weekend getaway to southeast Ohio and stay at Hocking Hills State Park to enjoy the last of fall color. With its impressive rock cliffs, stunning waterfalls and massive rock shelter caves, it is one of Ohio’s premier destinations. Guests can stay in a comfortable cottage, Camper Cabin, or pitch a tent. The park has an archery range, and fishing is allowed on Rose Lake with a valid Ohio fishing license. There are numerous hiking trails throughout the park and adjacent state forest to see fall color.
Hocking Hills State Forest offers a unique perspective of fall color. There is a 99-acre area for rappelling and rock climbing. New zipline tours offered by local outdoor recreation providers also give adventure seekers a bird’s eye view of the colorful fall canopy. Another unique feature the forest has is the unusual varieties of plant life that are the result of northern species mixing with southern species.
Also in the Hocking Hills region is Conkle’s Hollow State Nature Preserve. This preserve has cliffs of Black Hand sandstone that rise almost 200 feet above the valley floor, many waterfalls cascading over the cliffs and a deep, cool gorge that is only 100 feet wide in some places. Recently, the Lower Gorge trail was redesigned to accommodate visitors of all abilities. Visitors can explore different habitats on the cliff tops and in the gorge below.
Paddle down the Muskingum River Water Trail or the Hocking River. Both of these are two of Ohio’s “Water Trails.” The Muskingum River is the longest navigable river lying entirely in Ohio stretching 112 miles and featuring buildings that served as Underground Railroad stations. The rich floodplains support elm, walnut, sycamore and cottonwood trees. Fishing is good along the river, with bluegill and crappie populations high in most spots. The Hocking River allows kayakers to brush up on their skills while seeing a diversity of wildlife.
Head back south to Rockbridge State Nature Preserve, Ohio’s largest natural rock bridge. Its natural arch or bridge is more than 100 feet long and 10 to 20 feet wide, and gracefully arches 50 feet across a ravine. Two trails lead to the arch as well as a landing on the Hocking River.
For good fishing, head to Wolf Creek Wildlife Area. Many of the small ponds here produce good catches of largemouth bass, bluegill, and channel catfish. Squirrel hunting is good in oak-hickory stands and beech groves scattered throughout the area. One unusual feature about the area is that State Route 78, from the Wolf Creek Wildlife Area south towards Burr Oak State Park, is known as the “Rim of the World.” Spectacular views of fall foliage may be observed to the west from the roadway.
Southwest of Wolf Creek Wildlife Area is Trimble Wildlife Area. It offers many opportunities for bird watching, hunting and hiking. The Ohio Buckeye Trail passes through the area and is excellent for hiking and seeing fall color. Gray squirrel, white-tailed deer and wild turkey are abundant and all of them can be hunted here.
Not far from Trimble Wildlife Area is Waterloo Wildlife Area. Throughout the year, visitors can see or hear approximately 80 species of birds including white-eyed vireo, red-eyed vireo, blue-winged warbler, prairie warbler, yellow warbler, hooded warbler, indigo bunting, Northern mockingbird, mourning dove and red-tailed hawk. There are also three small fishing ponds for hook-and-line fishing. Bluegills, largemouth bass, redear sunfish, crappies, and bullheads can be caught in the three ponds.
While in the area, stay at Lake Hope State Park, a centrally located getaway in Zaleski State Forest. Visitors can stay in cottages, tents, Rent-A-Camp units, or Camper Cabins. Avid hikers will enjoy this park. There are 17 miles of hiking trails that wind around the lake and through the scenic woodlands and a 21-mile backpack trail offering opportunities to photograph fall color. Lake Hope also features a 23-mile singletrack bike trail which was chosen as Ohio’s top mountain bike trail by readers of “Mountain Bike Magazine” and 33 miles of bridle trail in the state forest.
Zaleski State Forest is the second largest forest in Ohio. With a 23.5 mile main loop trail and a ten mile day loop Zaleski State Forest Backpack Trail, backpackers can see great fall color on these scenic trails.
Located in the rich Appalachian forest, Lake Katharine State Nature Preserve has three deep ravines and harbors the state’s largest and finest populations of both bigleaf and umbrella magnolia trees. The focal point of this preserve is a clear water lake surrounded by towering sandstone cliffs. Lake Katharine offers a very scenic experience to visitors.
To help Ohioans and out-of-state visitors make the most of this popular outdoor season, weekly updates are available from the best Fall Color viewing locations across the state by calling 1-800-BUCKEYE.Users can also find Fall Color information on the Internet at ohiodnr.com and at www.discoverohio.com/autumnadventures.
Ohio's 74 state parks, 20 state forests and 131 state nature preserves provide excellent locations to sample the fall foliage.
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For Further Information Contact:
Jason Fallon, ODNR Communications
614. 265. 6842
- or -
Casey Munchel, ODNR Division of Forestry
513. 932. 6836
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