Colors are Coming to the North Shore

The Gunflint Trail is always beautiful but it isn’t the best place to see the fall colors in Northeastern Minnesota.  The majority of our trees have needles instead of leaves so there aren’t too many different colors to see. We do have some nice yellow, orange and yellow leaves as well as the changing color of the tamaracks. Plan a trip to the Gunflint Trail and take the time to drive up a side road where you can see phenomenal fall colors. According to the color experts it’s going to be a great year for leaf lookers.

DNR NEWS – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                               Sept. 9, 2013

DNR predicts ‘brilliant’ fall colors season

During the next seven or eight weeks, waves of fall color will roll across Minnesota’s forests and prairies, and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Parks and Trails Division encourages families to get out and enjoy them.

The statewide fall color report at www.mndnr.gov (www.dnr.state.mn.us/fall_colors/index.html) is updated every Thursday by staff at Minnesota state parks and recreation areas. These reports include percent of color change, peak color projections and three state park or trail destinations considered “hot picks” of the week.

“We’re predicting it will be a brilliant fall color season,” said Patricia Arndt, communications and outreach manager for the DNR’s Parks and Trails Division. “Although it’s been dry lately, the trees got adequate rain earlier this season. Now we just need a combination of sunny days and cool nights in the weeks ahead to bring out the fall colors. We’ve timed many of our fall hiking, biking, geocaching and paddling programs at Minnesota state parks and trails to coincide with peak color, and we hope to see lots of people getting outdoors to enjoy this beautiful time of year.”

Colors typically peak between mid-September and early October in northern third of the state, between late September and early October in central third and between late September and mid-October in southern third (which includes Twin Cities).

Fall color programs are listed in the free “Feel the ‘Wow’ of Fall” brochure at Minnesota state parks and recreation areas, Twin Cities libraries and REI stores and the Parks and Trails kiosk across from food court at Rosedale Center. The DNR Information Center will also mail the brochure to anyone who requests it.

In addition to its weekly online reports, the DNR offers fall colors “to go” on a mobile website compatible with smart phones and tablets. These reports include percent of color change, integrated with Google maps. To access the mobile site, scan the QR code at http://mndnr.gov/mobile or visit http://mndnr.gov/mobile/fall_colors and bookmark the site on a smart phone or other mobile device.

For more information, visit the online calendar at www.mndnr.gov or call DNR Information Center at 651-296-6157 or toll-free 888-646-6367 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

A vehicle permit is required for entrance to Minnesota state parks and recreation areas. Visitors may start with a one-day permit for $5 and visit as many state parks as they choose. The one-day permit may be traded in before the end of the day for $5 off a year-round permit. Year-round permits, $25, provide unlimited access to all 76 Minnesota state parks and recreation areas for a year from the month of purchase.

Visitors to Minnesota state parks can upload fall color photos to the DNR’s fall color website.

RESS RELEASE
Superior National Forest
September 12, 2012
Contact: Kris Reichenbach, 218-626-4393

Fall Colors Coming to Superior National Forest

Did you feel that chill in the air this morning?  It was your hint that fall color season is just around the corner and that is a show you don’t want to miss.  Currently, most of the foliage on the Superior National Forest is still green but if you look closely, you will see a bit of blush on the bush honeysuckle, dogbane, sarsaparilla, and moose maple.

Beginning each September, the Forest Service tracks the progress of fall color.  Superior National Forest has begun posting weekly updates and photos on our website.  You will also find maps and information for three fall color tours on the Forest along with links to other fall color web sites.  To keep up with fall color changes during the coming weeks visit our Forest web site at:  www.fs.usda.gov/superior .  You can also sign up for updates via Twitter.

Nationally, the Forest Service is offering a fall colors toll-free telephone hotline – 1-800-354-4595. The hotline provides audio updates on the best places, dates and routes to take for peak viewing of fall colors on national forests across the country.