Look at some of the best places within driving distance from Fresno, California to enjoy the show. Make sure you check out the Web site www.californiafallcolor.com for reports from throughout the state.

Drives

Yosemite: The maple trees, including that famous one that grows behind the Yosemite Chapel, are at their peak right now. The dogwoods that grow alongside the Merced River between the Valley and El Portal are as well. Contact: Yosemite National Park, (209) 372-0200 or http://www.nps.gov/yose/

McKinley Grove: A super picnic spot about a half hour from Shaver Lake for as long as Dinkey Creek Road stays open. Dogwoods look even brighter when surrounded by those giant sequoias. Contact: Sierra National Forest, (559) 855-5355 or http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sierra/

Quaking Aspen: At Highway 190 above Camp Nelson, the campground boasts what has to be the largest accessible display of aspen trees in the Southern Sierra. Much worth the drive. Contact: Giant Sequoia National Monument, (559) 784-1500 or
http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sequoia/

Sierra Vista National Scenic Byway: This place is wonderful for fall foliage; don’t miss the stand of aspen trees north of Cold Springs Summit. Contact: Sierra National Forest, (559) 877-2218 or http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sierra/

Eastern Sierra: You can’t make it there and back in a day but, Mono and Inyo counties are stuffed full of glowing deciduous trees. Lundy Canyon, Bishop Creek Canyon and Convict Creek Canyon are particularly colorful. Contact: Inyo National Forest, (760) 873-2500 or http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/inyo/

Hikes

Aspen Flat: Start at the Eagle/Mosquito Lake Trailhead near Mineral King. An easy stroll along the Kaweah River’s East Fork leads to a delightful aspen grove. Contact: Sequoia National Park, (559) 565-3341 or http://www.nps.gov/seki/

Nelder Grove: Known for giant sequoias, this sanctuary off Sky Ranch Road in Madera County also contains some outstanding dogwoods. Contact: Sierra National Forest, (559) 877-2218 or http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sierra/

Carlon Falls: This is near Yosemite (along Highway 120), most people drive right by. The falls aren’t much this time of year, but the oaks and dogwoods sure are. Contact: Yosemite National Park, (209) 372-0200 or http://www.nps.gov/yose/

Potter Pass: Beautiful aspens grow just down the pass when approaching from Kaiser Pass Road. It’s about one uphill mile from the Potter Pass Trailhead. Views from the top are a nice reward, as well. Contact: Sierra National Forest, (559) 855-5355 or http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sierra/

Night time temperatures in the area have been in the upper 30’s in the mountains and a good deal of precipitation. This will bring about quick change. So for those of you wanting to plan a Colorado leaf peeping tour – do it soon.

Gunnison National Forest is not reporting any significant changes as of this date.

A reminder, hunting season has begun in most areas, so check with your local ranger district office for more information. Be aware and be visible while visiting the back country.

In the Northwest, the Maroon Bells, as we’ve reported, are probably the most photographed mountains in the world. They are just southwest of the city of Aspen. You can see wonderful leaves changing now through this area of Colorado and you can drive along Maroon Lake and be taken aback by the spectacular beauty of the leaves the lake and the mountains. Check out this route online and plan to take it all in this weekend. It is guaranteed to be spectacular.

It is huge deal for so many businesses and why you should call as early as possible to get the best deals on the Bed and Breakfast’s through the Fall Foliage areas.  Throughout the Northeast, these place abound in road that take your straight through the rich beauty of leaves changing at their best.  New York is one state that has a great number of wonderful B&Bs that cater almost exclusively to the changing of the leaves.

Places like Mt Arab and Tupper Lake are already reporting changes and practically full Bed and Breakfasts.  But don’t despair.  We found that by calling them, sometimes you can find a stray cancellation or two and make this year a fantastic one for viewing the leaves.  And since things book up pretty quickly in these parts, it just makes sense that if you like to see the leaves, and love to have a cozy cabin to call home base, you need to reserve now in order to get the best, or one at all.

In the Lake Placid area of New York, the leaves are changing slower, if at all.  Reports right now are of less than 20 percent.  In Franklin County there’s about a 20 percent change.  Around the Belleayre Mountain and Saugertie region in Ulster County, there is more change.  I suppose that’s because of the elevation and the temperatures at night.  In Delaware and Greene Counties it’s a tad less.

Speaking of Fall, the Alleghenies, especially around the Altoona area is just wild with color.  They have a Visitors Bureau that keeps us updated and tell us that each year visitors call them asking for the latest tips.  There is a self-guided tour called the Fall Foliage Mystery Tour that is popular and starts in October.  Even with the unseasonably cold Summer, they are seeing some nice changes coming about in the Pennsylvania area.  The folks at Penn State University Park said to pray for dry weather for the next two weeks for some really spectacular colors.

Fall colors come from shorter days and cooler temperatures.  Trees produce chlorophyll – that stuff that keeps the leaves green.  Then when they start slowing because of shorter days of sunlight, well, the leaves get more and more colorful, losing their green.

What is cool is you can make the trip to the Altoona area from Washington D.C., Baltimore and Pittsburg on a tank of gas.  Pretty nice when there are so many choices close by.  What’s more is that the foliage in the area lasts extremely long.  Starting with the sassafras, then into the sugar maples, and then finally the oaks.  Nature puts on a show and this year, most everyone is ready.

Stowe is especially appealing during the foliage season when the leaves turn brilliant colors. That special chill in the air, the beautiful views of the countryside. The second week of October brings the “harvest colors.” Colors are muted. Brilliant yellows have turned golden. With vibrant hues of gold, orange and red, Stowe is one of the most sought-after destinations to view all the beautiful colors autumn brings. Guessing the exact time of peak foliage is a favorite tradition by many, and what better way to honor this tradition than with a contest?!

The seasons are changing, bringing in cool crisp fall air and beautiful colorful trees. The northeast displays mother nature’s Autumn glory at its best. This triggers a process in the trees, where Chlorophyl, which gives leaves their green color, is no longer being produced, eventually leaving a more colorful yellow, orange, red, brown, or even sometimes purple colored leaf! Rainfall, and temperature also play a role. But in autumn, the landscape gets another color: Gold.

Traverse quiet country roads, tall mountains, small farms, pristine lakes, and charming villages to experience a journey through Vermont’s breathtaking scenery of Vermont’s fall foliage. There are 1, 2, or 3 day tours through Vermont’s majestic Northeast Kingdom so you see and take some of the most beautiful images on the East Coast. Check foliage reports, suggested foliage trips by region, a foliage forum where people can share their impressions. You can even sign up to receive foliage reports by e-mail.

During Fall Leaf season, these tend to book up long before September or October arrives, so the earlier you can plan your trip and make hotel reservations, the better! Be aware too that most of the inns require a two night stay on the weekends.

The first two weeks in October are the latest to consider seeing the red, orange, yellow and brown mixture to delight the visual senses to no end. Depending on how the temperatures have been leading up to the month of October, you can pick your time and drive, fly or take a tour bus or train to see the magnificence of Vermont getting ready for another season. Foliage color can be as much as a week early or a week late in some locations. Weather and altitude influence peak color.  http://www.vermontfallfoliage.com/

The big event in Julian, in addition to leaf-peeping of course, is the annual Fall Apple Harvest, which lasts from mid-September to mid-November. Cider, bulk apples and pears are available at the many orchards and fruit stands in the area. Also in great contrast is the dogwood tree with its brilliant-white blossoms amidst the hardwoods’ under story. In some areas dogwoods and redbuds do bloom at the same time, making the spring season even more enjoyable with the two trees side-by-side in their glory.

The trees begin to show some changes throughout September and really begin to display in mid October. The peak of the autumn spectacular usually comes to southwest Arkansas the first two weeks of November. For most of the Midwest, though, fall color peaks in mid-October. Discover fascinating museums for all ages and interests, including history museums, the Museum of Discovery, Mid-America Museum, civil rights attractions, and the Aerospace Museum and its IMAX theatre. Arkansas’s four seasons and abundant attractions are a perennial delight for all visitors.

Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) provides several variations of fall color in red, yellow, purple and orange. The fruit is a prickly ball and can be a litter problem. One of the best ways to catch the changing colors is to head into the Ozark. Covering 1.2 million acres, the forests features Arkansas’ highest mountain, and are an ideal place to camp, hike, bike, picnic, or take a scenic drive. Hairy lip fern is a small soft textured fern with fuzzy green leaflets along a chestnut colored stipe. At 6-8″, it is great for along a rock wall or trough.

The leaves produce colors ranging from bright reds and oranges to the occasional purple. The state has two and a half million acres of national forests, and visitors at the annual “Fall Frenzy” enjoy creative nature programs and foliage tours.

Certainly, many visitors come to the area during the autumn specially to see the fall foliage as the colors of the season begin to change. Beyond the breathtaking foliage; however, you will also find a number of other exciting attractions to keep you busy during a visit to the area. States famed for their flaming colors are posting favorite routes on their Web sites. Fall foliage season is around the corner.

Lakes and streams fill this mountain area in central and northwest Arkansas, and along the Mississippi River in eastern Arkansas. Each luxurious bedchamber at The Empress conveys just such a feeling in your own private sitting area. Or imagine luxuriating in the “bath of the century” (19th that is) provided by a claw foot tub and the soft glow of long ago lighting. Many Bed and Breakfast await on the trail to see the leaves in their splendor.

Look for daily updates on Arkansas.com. There is a rectangle button under the calendar of events that rotates with information.

Kicking off on Saturday, October 4th, NY Waterway Tour’s newest cruise, Shades of Autumn, celebrates the arrival of the fall season with fun and enjoyment for cruise goers of all ages. Shades of Autumn is a non-stop, four-hour cruise offering views of the exquisite fall foliage along the Hudson River that has inspired writers and artists for 200 years. However, if you miss the boat for this year, it is never too late to start planning for the 2010 season. Fall is one of New York State’s busiest travel seasons, drawing tens of thousands of travelers to the state’s roadways and waterways, small towns, scenic vistas, country fairs and harvest festivals. It all takes place before the backdrop of spectacularly colorful autumn foliage.

Whether you’re practically a professional leaf-peeper or just a casual enthusiast, you’ll need to know where to take in the season’s splendor. Although still considered somewhat off-season, more and more people are finding this the perfect time to vacation in the northeast. The beauty of the fall colors adds a new dimension to already breathtaking scenery.

Tour operators plan dozens of activities along the way-with plenty of time to enjoy each one-including gourmet meals, museums capturing America’s early years, and even stops at Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory or Robert Frost’s grave site.

Due to such a short sailing window most fall-foliage cruises carry a hefty price tag, however this seven-night sailing is less than the cost of a classic six-night ocean crossing. Rates start at just $1,019 for interior cabins– an impressive 58 percent off brochure tags. Prices for the Carnival Triumph’s four- and five-day Canada sailings begin at $559 per person, while seven-day “fall foliage” voyages start at $599 per person, based on double occupancy. If purchased via Carnival’s new “Fun Finance” plan, Carnival Triumph’s four- and five-day Canada cruises are available starting at $26 per month and seven-day “fall foliage” cruises at $28 per month (based on a 24-month payment term at the lowest annual percentage rate available). If all that sailing gets your appetite going, sate your hunger with meals laced with fresh herbs and vegetables from Captain Annie’s garden. Plus, one evening each week, you’ll stop at an undisturbed shore for a special treat: lobster steamed over an open fire.

River cruises let the whole family have some fun on board with sightseeing tours. Birthday, family reunion, or Hudson River wedding cruise charters are fun. With Cruise America, save money on hotel accommodations, car rental, airfare and bus tours. Fall foliage travel has never been better than on a river cruise. Cruise the lake or river, visit tourist attractions like the Flume in the mountains. If weather is perfect you can go to the top of Mt Washington.

PPA’s Fall Foliage Cruise once again combines a great travel experience with great education. Along with enjoying the enhanced staterooms, dining, ice-rink and day spa aboard the ship, you’ll take in the leaves. The October Fall Foliage cruise is a new one so book now.

The tree-lined banks of the Kennebec River and the Forks along Route 201 and surrounding mountains offer some of the most beautiful Maine fall foliage you can see. You can also take a spectacular foliage tour from the Millinocket resorts to nearby Baxter State Park for breathtaking foliage views. If you yearn to capture bird’s eye view of Maine fall foliage, visit the Maine’s Penobscot Narrows Observatory in the fall. The people of Maine in an attempt to entertain fall visitors organize plenty of recreational and cultural events every year.

Maine fall foliage will be much in abundance, and there’s a lot to see, so let’s get started. Jackman makes a great base for your fall foliage vacation tour since it resides in the heart of the Maine fall foliage country.

Many of the Maine fall foliage attractions come highly recommended, and there is something for all to enjoy. We don’t rate or endorse any one business over another. The Maine Wine Trail contains a map and information on some great Maine vineyards and distilleries along some amazingly scenic roads!

Fifty two native species of leaf bearing trees help display a fall color show that attracts visitors from around the world. However, during Fall Leaf season, these tend to book up long before September or October arrives, so the earlier you can plan your trip and make hotel reservations, the better! Be aware too that most of the inns require a two night stay on the weekends. During fall, Maine receives visitors from all over the Northeast who are passionate about leaf peeping. If you’d like to join in and visit Maine at its most beautiful time of year, here are some tips for getting the most out of the fall foliage season.

But anytime during this almost two month period will provide plenty of “leaf peeping” if you go to the right places. In other words, by mid-September the leaves in Maine are approaching their peak while the trees in Connecticut are just beginning to turn. What’s more, leaf-peep aboard a chartered yacht or an old paddlewheel steamboat, and the cruise can be as memorable as the foliage itself. On a voyage up the New England coast, the elegant teak promenade of the Crystal Symphony not only provides a perfect vantage point for the fall colors, but it also conjures romantic images of the great luxury liners of a century ago. However you decide to do it, enjoying the leaf season during fall in Maine is sure hard to beat.

Forest rangers will detail the color change and leaf drop in the state’s seven tracking zones in at least six weekly reports. Each report and an updated foliage map are posted on Maine’s official season Web site http://www.maine.gov/doc/foliage/. Spend a day following the ‘leaf peeper’ trails either by car or bicycle. Find that special spot for antiquing and bring home a Maine treasure.

Surrounded by the singular beauty of North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville has long been a mecca to artists, writers, and nature lovers. The stunning Art Deco buildings of its downtown, the Gilded Age elegance of the Biltmore Estate, the rich legacy of its Appalachian craft industry, and above all the timeless beauty of the area’s magnificent mountains and forests imbue the city with a proud architectural and cultural heritage that is steeped in history.

Rental cabins in the North Carolina mountains are perfect for enjoying the lush green forests, sparkling lakes, majestic mountains, and charming towns of this fabulous destination. The lovely mountains of North Carolina are a year-round vacation paradise with colorful spring wildflowers, mild summer temperatures, fabulous fall foliage, and snow-capped mountains in the wintertime.

There are few things more beautiful than the North Carolina Mountains during the fall with the leaves turning bright orange, yellow, and red. The vibrant colors serve as a beautiful backdrop to the imposing Biltmore Estate.

The Biltmore Estate consists of an immense mansion built by the Vanderbilt family in the late 1800s. It is the largest home that is privately owned in the United States and the descendants of the Vanderbilts still own the home. It is amazingly large at 175,000 square feet. The available tours of the home are simply incredible and it is unbelievable to tour the home and realize that more than 130 years ago architecture, design, and the like were so advanced.

The North Carolina mountains are great for family vacations. In the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina, visitors can enjoy a wealth of activities, from hiking, fishing, and whitewater rafting to golfing, visiting historical sites, and shopping for arts and crafts. In the winter months, guests of cabin rentals in the North Carolina mountains will find plenty of winter sports such as downhill and cross-country skiing, snowboarding, tubing, and ice skating.

Fall is a fantastic time to spend out of doors, and each fall the Smokies are filled with folks wanting to take in nature’s color and beauty. The peak weeks in the color season will account for some of the highest visitation seen at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park this year, but you don’t have to rub elbows with all those people if you don’t want to. The park abounds with opportunities for fall color viewing in quieter, less visited settings.

The best piece of advice I can offer you is to avoid the major roads in the park during the peak of the fall color season. This would include Cades Cove and Little River Road, as well as Newfound Gap Road (Highway 441) from Gatlinburg to Cherokee. The majority of fall color spectators will use these routes, and you will no doubt find yourself stuck in long lines of slow moving traffic – hardly a relaxing experience. If you want to view the fall color from your car window, choose less visited areas of the park for your drive. All of the following routes are visible on any map of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Fall officially begins September 23 and, though it’s a little early to know for sure, foliage should put on quite a show this year. Though it has been dry lately, usually a negative when it comes to fall color, the next few weeks will determine just how much fall color we will have.

We need bright sunny days and cool nights–without too much frost or freezing temperatures–to trap the sugars in the leaves, which give us the best reds and most vibrant colors throughout the month of October. However, small pockets of color will remain into November–something to consider when deciding whether to fight the unbelievable crowds in certain areas of the Park.

The Asheville fall leaf color show featuring the colorful foliage of the North Carolina mountains attracts visitors from around the world. With the 5,000-foot elevation change within 50 miles of Asheville, our lush Blue Ridge Mountain range puts on one of the longest-running leaf color displays in the country. Another reason for an autumn visit: the many events and art festivals that abound during October, including LEAF. After enjoying nature’s grand show, head to downtown Asheville to enjoy the many local restaurants and shops.

North Carolina has over 120 species of trees, most of which are presented in the mountains. These trees provide brilliant colors each fall season. Different color pigments are present in all leaves: xanthophylls and carotenoids (yellow), anthocyanins (red), and chlorophyll (green). The yellow and red colors are usually hidden by the darker green color during the spring and summer months. But after the summer solstice in June, the trees are alerted that the days are getting shorter. This curtails the ability of the leaves to need and use sunlight and chlorophyll. As the covering of chlorophyll is reduced, the other pigments can eventually show themselves. This conglomeration of reds, yellows and greens give the leaves their purple, brown, and orange hues.

The 6-million acre Adirondack Park and Forest Preserve, which covers over one-third of the total land area of New York State, encompasses a diverse terrain of mountains, valleys, forests, lakes, rivers, and towns. It is the largest park in the continental United States, bordered on the east by Lake Champlain and Lake George, separating the Adirondacks from the Green Mountains in Vermont. Bordered to the south by the Mohawk Valley, to the west by the Tug Hill Plateau, and to the north by the St. Lawrence River, hundreds of species of shrubs, herbs, and flowers grow freely in the spectacular region.

Estimating “the peak” is a daunting prospect since the whole season in any given area only lasts about three weeks. When the leaves will change is purely speculation and prediction and it’s about as reliable as predicting how much snow we will have for Christmas.

The “middle” of Foliage Season is roughly around the first week of October. In the northern part of the High Peaks one could comfortably say “peak” will be then, although there may be splendid colors in late September and even through the end of October in the lower elevations and along Lake Champlain.

Museums around the Adirondacks outline its fascinating history of logging, farming, mining, and tourism and how each has shaped the area. Several towns were established in order to tap into the timber and iron ore resources, while in the central Adirondacks, pioneers created the first settlements by clearing huge areas of land for farming. Winter is a good season to venture to the Adirondack Mountains, when nearly every winter sport is at your fingertips. Warmer seasons mean access to 2,000 miles of marked trails in the Adirondacks, as well as a chance to splash around in the numerous bodies of water within the park.

Centered amidst the northern beauty of the Adirondack region, Lake Placid is a solid choice as host for the Ironman Lake Placid Triathlon. The Lake Placid course presents challenging sections on both the bike and run courses that gave last year’s nearly 2,000 competitors a workout to remember. Famous champions include Thomas Hellriegel, Heather Fuhr, Melissa Spooner, Steve Larsen, and Cameron Widoff.

Featuring magnificent views with direct access to over six million acres of the natural splendor and recreations of the Adirondacks, the High Peaks region is the place to start for a uniquely fun and memorable vacation. Not only will you be able to take in all of the beauty and charm the Adirondacks has to offer, but you will also be guaranteed activities that are sure to please your entire group.

The Whiteface Lodge, located in a beautiful woodland setting in the High Peaks region of the Adirondack Mountains on Lake Placid, is offering a couple of different lodging specials for the romantically inclined, and you don’t have to be on a honeymoon to enjoy them. Both packages are available through Dec. 17.

The Romance-Honeymoon Package, which starts at $473 per night midweek and requires a three-night stay, includes a bottle of champagne upon arrival, daily breakfast buffet, a French Lavender Sea Bath (for two), and one Couples Massage. Guests also receive an Essence of Vali Soothing Sleep Mist. The same package – a two-night stay – is available on weekends, Friday and Saturday nights, for $523 per night.

The Adirondack forests are filled with hundreds of pristine lakes and ponds, endless miles of rivers and streams just waiting to be explored. Known for our picturesque hiking and walking trails, abundant boating and paddling opportunities, premier fly and bass fishing, and world-class golf you will be embraced with true Adirondack hospitality.

Popularity of the Adirondacks as a destination soared in the late 1800s when the nation’s most wealthy and influential citizens built their great camps in the region. The social elite would “vacate” the stifling summer heat of Northeast cities for the cool Adirondack air.

The rich history of figure skating in Lake Placid can be traced back nearly a century. From the Lake Placid inception of U.S. Figure Skating in 1921 to the Smucker’s Stars on Ice opening their 20th season in the 1980 Arena for the 13th consecutive year, the legendary skating in Lake Placid has spanned the years and stood the test of time.

Most of us remember Lake Placid as home of the Winter Olympics in 1980. But Lake Placid has been a popular vacation destination in both summer and winter for decades. But this far north, they get more than their fairshare of cold winter weather, even without the extreme altitudes. You can boat on the lakes (no motor boats) during the warm summer months, ski and ice skate in the winter, enjoy fall colors in Autumn – it’s a great place to get away from it all.

This grassy roof and those goats have drawn tourists and locals alike. Read about Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant’s over 58 years of rich history in this town and county! We sincerely hope you have enjoyed your Door County fall color tour with us. We will be updating the color report when we feel there is a need. A 5-mile-long driving tour at the Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge provides wildlife lovers with a wonderful opportunity to see a variety of animals, including bald eagles.

For example, all have similar population concentrations that fluctuate based on international tourism. Door County is on a peninsula and Aspen is in a valley. Anderson Dock, where tourists in the 1890’s disembarked from Lake Michigan steamers, now is home to the Hardy Gallery. Area artists and special events make the Hardy a must-see on vacation itineraries.

Guests spend their days exploring the miles of cross-country ski trails in Peninsula State Park, ice skating, snow shoeing or taking a sleigh ride from the front door of the White Gull. Kurtz Corral matches rider experience with horses and provides beautiful trails through meadows and woods. Warm up after your ride with lunch at Door County Coffee, the aroma of coffee roasting makes it hard to inhale deeply enough.

This is the perfect time to see the beautiful colors of Door County. Stop at the Fish Creek Market for picnic makings then hike the park, it is stunning any time of year but the crunch of fall leaves underfoot and the brilliant foliage overhead are exhilarating. Climb the tower for a spectacular view over the bay. For those who like fishing on hard water, the frozen waters of Green Bay offer great ice fishing opportunities as shanty villages sprout in the harbors. For tips on how and where they’re biting, call the Fishing Hotline at (920) 743-7046. Fish and Wildlife Service monitor the harvest of migratory bird species by randomly selecting a sample of HIP registered hunters and asking them to participate in a harvest survey. Those selected will be asked to record daily hunting and harvest information in a small diary provided to them.