USDA Forest Service Region One Fall Color Report October 16, 2003

Here’s the Fall Color Hotline report for the Northern Region of the USDA Forest Service for October 16, 2003.  The Northern Region includes national forests and national grasslands in the states of Montana, northern Idaho, western North Dakota, and northwestern South Dakota.  This part of the country boasts spectacular landscapes, which are even more picturesque when dressed in fall colors.  The show usually starts in the highest country, so we suggest southern Montana for early colors.  Western Montana and northern Idaho tend to show color a few weeks later.

The appearance of fall foliage depends on drought and when we get our first frost.  Normally, you’ll begin to see change by mid-September and by the second week of October, fall color will be at is peak.  Again, frost and dryness will determine the duration and brilliance of fall color.

Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest (SW Montana)

Fall color on the Beaverhead-Deerlodge is quickly slipping past its prime.  Brisk winds and cold nights are bringing down leaves in a hurry.

Clearwater National Forest (Northern Idaho)

The glorious reds, golds and burnt oranges of fall are visible along the Lochsa River Corridor, along US Highway 12, between Lowell and Powell.  The Lolo Motorway also offers a spectacular view of fall foliage.

Custer National Forest (Eastern Montana)

Fall is past peak in the higher elevations(above 8500 feet) of the Beartooth District.  However, below 5500 feet a beautiful mix of yellow aspen and gold cottonwood are evenly blended with the green Ponderosa pine.  These colors will most likely be around for the next week.

In the Ashland District the ash and cottonwood trees are a brilliant shade of orange, with a tinge yellow.  The leaves are losing their grip and are falling in greater numbers,  but they should hold on for another week.

The fall color on the Rocky Mountain front is on the decline.  Some color can still be seen along Highway 12, but it may be gone by the middle of next week.