Upper Peninsula fall colors are already in full swing. Here’s where to see them
UPPER PENINSULA — Peak fall foliage is projected to occur early this year and not last as long as usual due to dry conditions for much of 2023.
While the UP’s fall color season typically lasts about two to four weeks, some experts project that window might be cut in half this year.
According to Chicago meteorologist Pete Sack, fall colors will still be on full display, just for a shortened period due to year-long drought conditions. And while late-season rains sometimes prolong the color season, the National Drought Mitigation Center recorded drought conditions in the western Upper Peninsula and the Northern Lower Peninsula for late September. These conditions are expected to continue throughout the month and into October.
Local workers in the UP have corroborated Sack’s predictions, saying the colors are already popping, and folks should get out and enjoy them soon.
“We’re at about 50 percent color already,” said a Tahquamenon Falls State Park employee in Luce County on Sept. 27. “The colors are coming on faster than usual this year. Throughout the park we have a lot of pretty color going on right now. If you’re coming down Highway 123, you’ll notice that many of the trees are already fully covered in changing colors. Some trees are still mostly green, but I’d say we’re well on our way to peak color.”
Though the colors will likely peak sooner than usual this year and potentially not last as long, those interested in seeing fall colors can rely on many of the principles they’ve used in previous years. For example, the western UP generally reaches peak color before the eastern UP. Higher elevation areas typically reach peak earlier than lower elevation areas. Forests near the Great Lakes will generally peak later than the forested areas of the UP’s interior. Cool nights with temperatures between 32-45 degrees Fahrenheit and bright, sunny days enhance autumn color, while higher temps lower the intensity of color.
In the western UP, fall color enthusiasts should visit Kitch-iti-Kipi at Palms Brook State Park. The scenic natural spring is often chock-full of visitors during the summer months, but autumn affords visitors fall colors and a chance to see the springs without overly long waits. The Kitch-iti-Kipi spring is encircled by hardwoods and cedar, providing a gold, brown, orange, and green backdrop while one views the springs.
Other attractions in the western UP include Brockway Mountain Drive, a 9-mile stretch of M-26 between Eagle Harbor and Copper Harbor that is the highest above-sea-level drive between the Rocky Mountains and the Alleghenies. Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, the Copper County Trail National Byway, and the Black River National Forest Scenic Byway also provide good opportunities to see fall colors.
In the central UP, those seeking fall foliage should visit Fayette Historic State Park, a ghost town surrounded by fall color. The park is located on the Garden Peninsula, which features a mix of hardwoods, and the autumn color makes this location even more picturesque as the historic structures are tucked into the glow of yellow and orange leaves. An overlook offers an excellent view of the town, Snailshell Harbor, and the surrounding limestone bluffs.
Other attractions in the central UP include Sugarloaf Mountain near Marquette, a peak that offers views of Lake Superior and autumn colors adorning the hardwood trees that border the lakeshore and occupy the forests further inland. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Grand Island, Yellow Dog Falls, and Echo Lake are also good places to see fall colors.
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In the eastern UP, Tahquamenon Falls State Park is a well-known icon of fall colors combined with waterfalls, including the second most voluminous waterfall east of the Mississippi. There is a four-mile linear trail (eight miles roundtrip) that connects the Lower and Upper Falls, a favorite hiking trail that invites visitors to enjoy fall foliage around every bend. The trail immerses visitors in nature, giving them a chance to enjoy eastern hemlock, northern white cedar, and yellow birch down near the river bank, and American beech and sugar maple up along the hillsides bordering the river.
Other attractions in the eastern UP include Mission Hill Overlook, a drive-able 640-foot hill providing views of Spectacle Lake in the foreground and Lake Superior in the background, with Ontario on the horizon. Hardwoods are interspersed with pine trees, and visitors often see freighters making their way to the Soo Locks. The Cut River Bridge on Highway 2, the Bush Bay Hiking Trail in Cedarville, and Mackinac Island are also popular autumn attractions.
Ren Brabenec is a Brimley-based freelance writer and journalist with The Sault News. He reports on politics, local issues, environmental stories, and the economy. For questions, comments, or to suggest a story, email hello@renbrabenec.com.
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Upper Peninsula fall colors are already in full swing. Here’s where to see them
