Autumn Colors - Pac Northwest
 

My husband & I were hoping to take a little trip up to the Northwest sometime in the next month, after having to cancel a trip to Canada. Was wondering if it's already too late for Fall Colors? <BR><BR>What's it like this year? Do they ever last into November, or are any left in more temperate areas around Thanksgiving? (I realize it will be too late by then for the mountains.) <BR><BR>Thinking about doing a Cascade drive, & visiting Leavenworth & that area for colors. Any colors evident in the San Juans? I realize that Washington is mostly dominated by evergreens, but still...we've seen the big leaf maple, etc. We always find the islands most relaxing, but have only been in May & summer. <BR><BR>Any other tips for places with color in the area? I realize it's nothing like back East, but would appreciate *any*... as I grew up in the Midwest & miss the colors here in Calif.<BR><BR>Any help most appreciated! :-) (We won't have an option before early Nov. due to health reasons.) Thanks again. <BR>

I'm just outside of Seattle and the colors are beautiful right now...I really don't know what they'll be like in a few weeks. Stevens Pass (on the way to Leavenworth) is an excellent place to see the colors. Also, make sure you stop off at Deception Falls--it's just off the freeway (is marked) and is really breathtaking. There's lots of wonderful areas to hike around the town of Index, which is right before the pass. <BR><BR>Maybe check again right before you leave to get a more recent update.

If you haven't already taken your trip, you still have time to see the fall colors here in Washington. Leavenworth is a beautiful place to visit in October! I would also recommend a drive up Chuckanut from Burlington to Bellingham. It's a stunning drive and there are some great restaurants to try along the way. The Oyster Bar is best for dinner, and the Oyster Creek in for lunch (don't worry, they have more than oysters, but they are excellent) Have a nice time!

Actually the color seems a little late this year in the lowlands, so if you're here by the first week in Nov. things still ought to be good. Thanksgiving will be pushing your luck. The maples and chestnuts are peaking, but other trees like the filberts and poplars haven't even started in most areas. The big hazard is we'll have a storm with wind and lots of rain that will blow the leaves off the trees before then. There might be some color east of the mountains in late November, so a Cascade crossing isn't a bad idea. You might also consider crossing the Cascades and looping down the Columbia to the Gorge; even in winter it's a great ride and you might get lucky with the foliage.<BR><BR>

Any more color updates which could influence whether to travel to Washington over Thanksgiving? <BR><BR>Are there any colors left in Seattle...Leavenworth...the San Juans? <BR>I realize there aren't many to begin with, but just asking for how it is at this point... <BR><BR>Anybody been to the San Juans so late in the year? (We normally go in May.) <BR>Please help as we are FINALLY able to travel, but not sure if it's best just to sit this one out, despite our love for your area. We could wait until May. Just thought we'd ask for the latest &amp; rumors of upcoming weather... <BR>

Five days ago the answer was, yes, a lot of color still around. In fact, it was simply spectacular (better even than a few days I spent in Vermont and New Hampshire in early October!)<BR><BR>Then it started raining and blowing, and now the situation is less grand. There are still leaves on trees, some of them quite nice, but every day that it rains the count goes down. Another week and who knows? If you don't mind helping me with my gutters I can provide you with plenty of autumn color :)

John,<BR><BR>Thanks so much for the update! :-) <BR>What part of Washington state are you in? <BR><BR>Clever idea re: those gutters! ;-) <BR><BR>I wish we *could* have made it up there before now. Will still consider it, based on what you wrote, &amp; pending other color reviews from around the state.) And, pending weather forecasts I read on the Net. <BR><BR>If it sounds too late by next Wed., then, at least we have good info for *next* year &amp; will realize that even going as late as early November, is quite fine. <BR><BR>Thanks again! :-)

mj,<BR>Just spoke with someone who lives near Stevens Pass and they said it's snowing there now! So, if you go, make sure you have chains and check to see if the pass is even open. Also, he said it's really too late for the colors now. (I'm still seeing a bit around the Seattle area, but not much.)<BR><BR>However, it's supposed to get nice over the weekend and stay nice for the week, so that should be good for general sightseeing.<BR><BR>Have a good trip and let us know about it!

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