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About Appeal tribune. (Silverton, Or.) 1999-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 23, 2019)
4A ❚ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2019 ❚ APPEAL TRIBUNE Life in the Valley Fall for fall 20 places to find foliage colors near Salem Leaves change color as fall settles in over Salem on Oct. 11, 2019. ANNA REED / STATESMAN JOURNAL McDowell Creek Falls Zach Urness Salem Statesman Journal USA TODAY NETWORK Oregon’s trees are transforming into stationary fireworks as the fall color season reaches its peak. Here are 20 places in and around the Willamette Valley to see the colors, from downtown Salem to Silver Falls to the Cascade Range. Given’s Oregon’s multifaceted topog- raphy — from valley to high mountain, rainforest to desert, don’t expect all the fall colors to peak at the same time. Finding that perfect blast of fall color is not unlike finding that perfect wave to surf — you can know where to look, and when, but will it actually show out? Only the wind knows. So here are some ideas, moving from the lower to higher elevations. Multiple people helped put together this list, but one great resource for po- tential leaf-peepers is oregonfallfoliage.com and Oregon Fall Foliage Facebook page. A small-scale version of Silver Falls, this charmed park north of Sweet Home offers more fall color amid cascades. Hike 2 to 3 miles among falling water and mostly gold colors that should peak late October or early November. Breitenbush / Clackamas river corridor The scenic roadways between De- troit and Estacada drip with autumn color during late fall. As long as snow hasn’t closed the road, travel Breiten- bush Highway 46 and Estacada High- way 224. There’s too many places to stop along the way to mention them all, but two highlights include Bagby Hot Springs and Breitenbush Hot Springs. Parish and Daily lakes South Falls is surrounded by colors at Silver Falls State Park. COURTESY OF JOE JOHNSTON Salem Mid-Willamette Valley There are numerous places to find fall color in the Capital City. Here’s a list of favorites put together by folks with Sa- lem City Parks and Travel Salem. The parks, refuges and greenways just outside Salem area a mixed bag for autumn color, but here are five places that stand out. Minto-Brown Island Park Champoeg State Heritage Area Salem’s largest park and trails sys- tem is starting to show some good col- ors, with the peak coming around the last week of October. The place where Oregon democracy was born is blazing with red and gold leaves. The park, open year-round, can be experienced in multiple ways. A favorite adventure is an 8-mile bike ride through the park to Butteville Store, one of the oldest in the state. The park should hit its color peak in the next 7 days, park officials said. Bush’s Pasture Park The famous historical park in down- town Salem also is beginning to turn from green to gold, with peak also ex- pected toward the end of October. Cascade Gateway Park Bright orange and reddish colors can be had at this park of lakes and creeks off Mission Street in east Salem, near the access ramp for Interstate 5. The Court-Chemeketa Historic District Willamette Mission State Park Another famous historical destina- tion, Willamette Mission State Park has hit the peak for fall colors, park manager Kevin Strandberg said. “We’ve got beautiful red maples and oaks looking really good right now,” Strandberg said. “The walnut trees are just starting to turn yellow.” Ankeny and Finley wildlife refuges A collection of 12 blocks east of the Capitol along Court and Chemeketa streets — and Mill Creek — offers beau- tiful colors in a residential setting of his- toric houses. The colors already are glowing and appear to peak a bit earlier than other places in town. Pringle Creek Community This lesser-known neighborhood of- fers a 1-mile walking path with already bright colors. Find more information on the community at its Facebook page. Other ideas State Capitol State Park Orchard Heights Park Eola Hills Park The three wildlife refuges of the Wil- lamette Valley all have nice fall color, but two places that probably have the best fireworks include Ankeny and Finley refuges. “Now is a great time to get out there — the maples are beautiful, and the ash trees are bright yellow,” said Samantha Bartling, visitor services manager at the Willamette Valley National Wildlife Ref- uge Complex. Bartling said Woodpecker Loop, a 1- mile hike, was the best option at Finley NWR. Closer to Salem, Bartling recom- mended the Rail Trail, a short hike, and Ankeny Hill Overlook, at Ankeny Hill NWR just south of Salem. “The Rail Trail has ash trees that are a really striking yellow,” Bartling said. Luckiamute Landing State Natural Area This little-traveled natural area south of Monmouth offers easy hiking and should have some nice fall colors now, Strandberg said. Three miles of hiking is possible from a trailhead that offers access along a meadow and through a riparian hard- wood forest of Oregon ash and bigleaf maple. The trail ends at a nice view of the Willamette River. “There’s so many varies of color,” Strandberg said. Cascade Foothills and Mountains Beware of snow and closures from areas damaged by wildfires, but chilly days typically lead to wonderful colors in the mountains around Detroit in au- tumn. Silver Falls State Park Bright yellows ornament this iconic park’s collection of giant waterfalls. In- terpretive park ranger Kim Maley said the colors were really starting to pop and would only improve until the rain starts bringing them down. “It’s good time to come up,” she said. “There’s a few trees a little green that are yet to come but it’s starting to look pret- ty dramatic.” Maley suggested people consider visiting the less-traveled east side of the park. One idea is to begin at the North Falls Parking area, but instead of head- ing toward the waterfalls, hike uphill on the Perimeter Trail into lush old-growth forest adorned with bright yellow. Shellburg Falls Similar in most ways to Silver Falls, this hike navigates farmland before en- tering state forestland and reaching Shellburg Falls. Colors should peak in late October or early November. This quiet little lake east of Detroit lights up during October and provides hiking and fishing opportunities to boot. The scenery of the drive is well known. North Santiam Highway 22 gains more fall colors as you pass De- troit and head toward the pass. Parish Lake Road 2266 is on the right past Mar- ion Forks — follow it to a trailhead. The Parish Lake Trail is just half a mile and mostly green until you reach the lake, where there’s an explosion of colors around the shoreline. Nearby Daily Lake is also worth checking out. North Santiam River If you love rafting, the North Santiam River during autumn is spectacular. The river offers more enjoyable whitewater as dam releases increase and the river corridor lights up with fall color. For challenging Class III/IV whitewa- ter, float from Packsaddle Park to Mill City or Fishermen’s Bend. For less-in- timidating water, float from Fisher- men’s Bend to Mehema boat ramp. Other great places ‘popping with fall color’ Portland Forest Park Hoyt Arboretum Eugene Mount Pisgah Marie Jacobs Park Cascade Foothills east of Eugene / Albany Highway 20 east of Sweet Home along the South Santiam River has lots of nice colors. House Rock Campground has a nice trail, along with Cascadia State Park. Zach Urness has been an outdoors writer, photographer and videographer in Oregon for 11 years. He is the author of the book “Hiking Southern Oregon” and can be reached at zurness@Statesman- Journal.com or (503) 399-6801. Find him on Twitter at @ZachsORoutdoors.
