USDA Forest Service Region One Fall Color Report

Northern Region One 200 E. Broadway Missoula, Montana 59802 (406) 329-3511

September 25, 2002

FALL COLOR HOTLINE: 1-(800) 354-4595

Here’s the Fall Color Hotline report for the Northern Region of the USDA Forest Service
for September 25, 2002.  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 its peak.  Again, frost and dryness will determine the duration and brilliance of fall color.

Beaverhead-Deerlodge

Fall is coming on in Southwest Montana. Look for yellow emerging in a big way in cottonwoods
in Alder Gulch, along Highway 287 near historic Virginia City. Elsewhere, the Pioneer Mountains
scenic Byway between Wise River and Highway 278 offers high mountain fall views and miles of
clear, blue skies.

The Pintler Scenic Route, Montana Highway 1, is another wonderful side trip between Drummond
and Anaconda, and can be reached from two exits of Interstate 90. Meantime, Interstate 15, between
Helena and Idaho border winds through some breath-taking mountain scenery, accented by aspen,
willow, cottonwoods, and countless grasses and shrubs that are beginning to wear their golden fall mantles.

Clearwater National Forest

A hint of color is starting to show along Highway 12 over Lolo Pass and along Road 250 over Hoodoo Pass.
Mountain maple and huckleberry brush are emerging in faint reds and purples, while the larch trees are
wearing a golden hue.

Lewis and Clark National Forest

The trees on the Rocky Mountain front are turning beautiful shades of yellow and gold along Highway 89
over Kings Hill, in the Spring Creek area, and on the upper Musselshell River. Fall color can also be seen
in the forest foothills on the Jefferson division. The cottonwoods and aspen are lovely shades of pale yellow
and gold, buffalo berry bushes are orange to rust and the red-stemmed dogwood bushes are a deep red.

Nez Perce National Forest

Fall colors are just starting to change on the Nez Perce National Forest. The huckleberry, thimble and snow
berry bushes blanketing the forest floor are tinged with shades of red, orange, and yellow. The few aspen trees
visible are fading to yellow and their leaves are still holding tight.

Overnight freezing should have fall color in full swing in the next week or so.

Please find more fall color information at the Washington Office Fall Colors Site.