We'll be driving from Portland to the Wilammette Valley, then over and down the coast, then East to drive around Crater Lake, on up to Bend, Mt Hood, and then back to Seattle to fly home. The trip is about 10 days (I'm not counting Sept 27 as that's the day we fly back).

Based on the night time temps, I'd expect we might see some fall color!

Don't expect fall colors in the Willamette Valley or on the coast. As I look out my office window in south Portland now, there's not a hint of fall foliage.

East of the Cascades may be different because of temps, but most of the trees over there are pine or fir, so don't change much seasonally.

Regardless, I hope you enjoy your visit.

It's not fall yet here in Seattle anyways. Not sure about up in the mountains.

same thing in Eugene - not a hint of color

D !!!! there is a tiny elm tree around the corner from my apt building!! the top leaves are red.
Come here!!
I will stand by the tree so you will know it right away..

as always your friend and leaf peeeper....

Scarletts tree and two that I see in our neighborhood must be the only ones with any new color, lol!

As you can see, foliage is not a big event here. I remember as a child being taught that leaves turn color, but we rarely saw it. Then I lived in upstate NY later in life and saw some REAL foliage. Unfortunately I have not seen anything remotely close since we have been back here

mms, you and I walked through fallen leaves yesterday.
too busy talking lol .... and about that dog....

Scarlett, I think the change in color might be because of lack of water. Just wait though! We'll have water soon enough.

Odd how quickly the details fade, but I think I remember raking leaves in my front yard at the end of November last year. So I think we're close to a month away from the best of the color, and as mms writes, it ain't that great anyway. Note to self; cut plum tree in front yard.

Scarlett--LOL! I told the kids about that dog. He was so cute!

Beachbum--Oh yeah, I did do some raking last year. I think I try to forget that...not a fun job. I think you are right about the lack of water. The two trees I see are in common areas, so not someones yard where they get watered. All our trees still have their leaves and show no signs of changing or falling yet.

I was just up to Crater Lake yesterday. It is a magnificent site, but no fall colors. Be prepared for road construcition.
In southern Oregon, fall colors appear around the last part of October- a few trees earlier and a few trees later. Don't expect much of fall coloring the time you are traveling.

Road construction? bummer. We'll be heading there from Myrtle Point. I wasn't sure about leaves turning...down here in NC some are already yellow (because of dryness after that spate of 100+ summertime). I was just wondering. I think there will be more than enough stupendous beauty even without "the autumn leaves"

I'll keep an eye out for you Scarlett...and your Beeyouteeful white poodle!

There's some fall color showing in the Washington Cascades right now. There's a lot more fall color than a lot of people think (larches, vine maples, huckleberries, blueberries)in the mountains, but since you generally have to get off the highways and onto a trail, many people never see it.

I saw hints today in Bellevue (10 miles east of Seattle), so in 10 days you should.

OK, uhoh but the Poodle is Brown
ttfn~

Drive clear down 101, check out Shore Acres, then on to Brookings & 199, come through the top of redwoods, and back to the Rogue Valley, Ashland and Litha Park. Plenty of Foilage, food, and fun.
Head up Dead Indian Road from Ashland and come in the south entrance to Crater Lake, then proceed to Bend after CL.