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October 19, 2006
EDITORS NOTE: This is the fourth in a series of fall color updates highlighting some of the best locations to enjoy Ohio's fall foliage. Weekly updates are available from ODNR through early November.
COLUMBUS, OH Ohio’s woodlands are at peak or near-peak Fall Color this weekend, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).
Stations in far northern Ohio are reporting peak conditions, while color elsewhere varies from place to place.
“We are seeing golds, yellows and russets dominate in most locations,” said Casey Munchel, fall color forester with the ODNR Division of Forestry. “That’s because a lack of sunny days this fall has prevented many maple trees from developing their full color potential of red and orange colors that traditionally provide the vivid contrast in Ohio’s autumn landscape.”
Last week’s winds and rain brought down the leaves that changed early, leaving an abundance of green in the forest.
“But that’s not a bad thing,” Munchel added. “These green trees will gradually begin to turn in coming days, giving us a ‘second phase’ to this year’s Fall Color season.”
This weekend marks the 15th annual Fall Foliage Event at Conkle’s Hollow State Nature Preserve in Hocking County. Visitors can hike 3.5 miles of preserve trails, including the handicapped accessible Lower Gorge Trail. The event will also include a reenactment of a 1790s pioneer encampment.
Additional Fall Color hikes are scheduled for 1 p.m. on Sunday, October 22 at Sycamore State Park in Montgomery County; 9 a.m. on Saturday, October 21 at Shawnee State Park in Scioto County and 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 21 at Lake Hope State Park in Vinton County.
Quail Hollow State Park in Stark County will host a “Hollow”een Fest from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, October 21 at the park’s Manor House.
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 calling1-800-BUCKEYE. Users can also find Fall Color information on the Internet at ohiodnr.com and at discoverohio.com .
Ohio's 74 state parks, 20 state forests and 130 state nature preserves provide excellent locations to sample the fall foliage. The chart shows the most current reports from selected locations.
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