If You Know Where, Nw Is Full Of Fall Color
Q: Can you suggest some possible autumn color drives, and whom we might call ahead of time to find out about the best times to make the scenic drives? - L.P., Veradale.
A: Autumn is a favorite time for many Northwest residents. Dry, cold air coupled with intense sunny skies provide the best conditions for bringing about the changes within leaves, causing them to burst into brilliant yellows, oranges and reds.
Huckleberry bushes have been showing their gold and magenta leaves for several weeks now. The Western larch (tamarack), will begin to turn golden in early October, depending on its elevation and location on the mountains. The cottonwoods and willows along streams and river in low-lying canyons will be the last to change.
The best places to call for up-to-date color change information are the local ranger districts in areas where you plan to take a drive.
Here are some of my favorite driving routes for fall colors and beautiful scenery.
Lake Coeur d’Alene Scenic Drive: By combining a number of secondary highways, visitors can circumnavigate Lake Coeur d’Alene. The highways wind through croplands and along mountain hillsides, and they offer scenic overlooks, historic points of interest and small towns to visit. For information, call the Fernan Ranger District at (208) 245-2531.
North Cascades Scenic Highway: This portion of Highway 20 stretches from Sedro Wooley eastward across the Cascade Mountains to Twisp. The autumn hues set against a backdrop of snow-crested mountain peaks are worthy of the longer drive from Spokane. For information, call park headquarters at (360) 856-5700.
Sherman Pass National Scenic Byway: It is part of Highway 20 from Tonasket eastward to Kettle Falls. The mix of evergreens and deciduous trees offers rewarding vistas and many photo opportunities. For information, call the Kettle Falls Ranger District at (509) 738-6111.
Leavenworth area: Leavenworth will be celebrating its 32nd annual Autumn Leaf Festival from Sept. 29 through Oct. 8. The valley and surrounding mountains offer a kaleidoscope of vibrant colors. The Grand Parade, Art in the Park, continuous entertainment and outdoor food booths add to the festive ambience of this Bavarian-styled town. For information, call the Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce at (509) 548-5807.
Q: Can you suggest some Inland Northwest wildlife refuges where my wheelchair-bound wife and I can see fall migrating birds and other wildlife? We would need places with barrier-free interpretive trails. - D.B.C., Rathrum.
A: There are several wildlife refuges that I have visited that have barrier-free trail systems and disabled-persons facilities for picnicking and nature viewing.
One of my favorite places is the Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area (604-428-3259 or 3260) near Creston, British Columbia. The visitor center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. until Oct. 13 and is staffed with interpreters to help understand the conservation role of the refuge. There is a long wooden boardwalk over ponds and canals that has numbered posts, which correspond to a self-guiding pamphlet.
The Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge (208-267-3888 near Bonners Ferry, Idaho, has several options for disabled wildlife viewers. Part of the self-guided vehicle route is on a high dike, which allows visitors to look down into the marshes and riparian areas to see more birds and other wildlife.
A portion of the driving loop is temporarily closed for vehicular traffic because of road repairs. The paved Chickadee Interpretive Trail encircles a pond. The Moose Overlook Blind has a disabledaccess trail leading off the West Side Road to the observation blind.
The paved Clearwater and Snake River National Recreation Trail is part of the Lewiston Levee Parkway in Lewiston, Idaho.
For more information, call the Lewiston Chamber of Commerce at (208) 743-3531
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