In the last week, the transition to fall color has accelerated and it appears now that peak color is only a week or so off. Indeed, in the last week it seemed like a gear shifted and you could see the change day to day.
Fall color fans can bet safely that next weekend will be very close to peak. Mountainsides have changed from green to mixed yellows, and the red species are showing more red each day. In my front yard I have two black gums, the reddest of the red trees, one is red, and the other is deep claret on the way to red.
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| Fall Color Reflection at Big Bluff 2009 |
We are at 2,150 feet. Fall color dynamics vary a lot according to location. At river level it is different than it is at altitude. We change sooner presumably due to cooler temperatures. Wet places change later than dry places. This year's drought is the worst in many years. It will be interesting to see how it will play out. It is likely that we will have "leaf off" sooner, but that is speculation. My guess is that drought-stressed trees will lose their leaves in any heavy wind.
Without question, roads along the Buffalo River corridor are the best places to see fall color. Highways 7, 43, 21,16, and 74 can be organized into loops pretty readily. The mountainous areas offer the best vistas with big changes in contour from mountain bluffs to the hollows. Newton and Searcy Counties offer the very best fall color.
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| Center Point Trailhead in 2009 Color |
Every color tour should include a leg through Boxley Valley. Currently the famous Arkansas Elk Herd is at peak rut. Huge bulls with harems roam the valley at the ends of the day. For the best chances, the couple of hours after daybreak, and couple of hours before sundown are the best times to see the elk and hear the bulls bugle.
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| Boxley Valley Bull Elk October 15, 2010 |
For the adventurous, hiking the river bed in the Upper Buffalo River area is easy now with very low river levels. This is a great way to experience the river, and pools of reflected fall color. Primitive campers will want to consider camping on a gravel bar. Nothing compares to the brilliant canopy of stars on an Ozark night.
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| Fall Color 2009 on the Buffalo River |
If you visit next weekend, on the 22nd and 23rd, the Ponca Elk Education Center will be putting on its annual Color Fest. This is local art show that includes demonstrations. There is a free elk photography workshop by elk photographer, Michael Dougherty. No trip to Ponca is complete without visiting the Center. In addition to its outstanding exhibits and gift shop, it is the hub for local information not only on elk, but other wildlife and the surrounding attractions.
