Fall Leaf Tour - Algonquin Highlands

[Manfred M]

Well when we were last here in 2013, the leaves in and around Algonquin Park were well on their way and turning red and orange. Two years later, almost to the day we are back and are being greeted by just a hint of fall colours.

This shot was taken just outside of our motel room, looking at one of the numerous small lakes seen. We are staying along Highway 60, just a few kilometers past the West Gate of the park.

[GBO25]

Love that sky and it's reflection plus the pier adds a great finishing touch.

[Shadowman]

Nicely done.

[Ziggy]

Very nice. Looks like a great place to launch a canoe and enjoy the lake.

[Mike Buckley]

Even without the fall color, it's a nice photo.

I understand your situation about the lack of fall foliage. When my wife and I took our one and only New England fall foliage vacation, we planned everything according to all of the Internet sites about when to expect the most color and I even sought the advice of an employee of the visitor center of the most heavily trafficked state park in the area. Our vacation was fabulous, though there was little to no fall foliage. Everywhere we went the locals were talking about how little color there was that year.

[Manfred M]

Even without the fall color, it's a nice photo.

I understand your situation about the lack of fall foliage. When my wife and I took our one and only New England fall foliage vacation, we planned everything according to all of the Internet sites about when to expect the most color and I even sought the advice of an employee of the visitor center of the most heavily trafficked state park in the area. Our vacation was fabulous, though there was little to no fall foliage. Everywhere we went the locals were talking about how little color there was that year.

That is always an understood issue with fall leaves. We were here two years ago (to the day) and while we were still around a week before "full" fall colours, we had the beginnings of a nice canopy; as per the image below. Fall peak here is usually on Sep 27, but can vary 2 weeks either way.



On the other hand, the day before I got up to Lake Superior, a wind storm had come through and stripped the leaves off the trees the day before I got there. Their fall leaf season lasted exactly two days...

[NorthernFocus]

That's a bummer travelling there and the colors not showing up. Colors here have come down off the mountain and are now about peaking in town. NWS is forecasting snow in town next week. Which is about right on time, last of September/first of October.

[Polar01]

Manfred thanks for the heads up, I was thinking of skipping up there myself, I had a feeling that they were lake, as there is almost not colour down here by the lake. There is the odd tree or branch which always is the first but most are at least 2 weeks or so behind. Your post number 6 I have a good idea where that was taken.

Cheers: Allan

[John 2]

Nice image anyway Manfred. We won't see Autumn colours here until the end of October provided it's not too wet. Apparently, wet and damp conditions subdue the colours so fingers crossed.

[Manfred M]

Manfred thanks for the heads up, I was thinking of skipping up there myself, I had a feeling that they were lake, as there is almost not colour down here by the lake. There is the odd tree or branch which always is the first but most are at least 2 weeks or so behind. Your post number 6 I have a good idea where that was taken.

Cheers: Allan

Allan - the Parks website claims 50% change, but I want whatever they are drinking or smoking because the colours are just starting to change. I'd give it at least another week. We did the Beaver Pond, Bat Lake and Peck Lake trails today and did the Hardwood Lookout and Logging Museum trails yesterday. The predominant colour is definitely still green with the occasional tree that has changed colours and tinges of colours on other trees.

My guess is that the Park is not going to peak until October this year and are thinking of looping back here on our way home during the first week of October.

[Manfred M]

Nice image anyway Manfred. We won't see Autumn colours here until the end of October provided it's not too wet. Apparently, wet and damp conditions subdue the colours so fingers crossed.

The last couple of weeks have been unusually warm and sunny, so I suspect this might be holding things back. The trees are definitely starting to show colours, but the whole place is still mostly green. Peak leaf time in Algonquin Park is usually around September 27, but my guess is it is probably running a week or more late this year.

The scenery is still very nice and I'm enjoying the unusually warm and sunny start to fall. I can't remember the last time I was this far north wearing a golf shirt and regretting that I left my shorts at home. Two years ago, I was in rain gear and heavy leather jacket...

[IzzieK]

I like the location of the board on the shot, Manfred -- as it lead the eye to the background of trees. The second shot is superb too...although we are getting some sort of colour around here, it might be another week or two, even mid-October before I see any real colours from my favourite tree at the back...

[bnnrcn]

Very nice sky and reflections, I like the strong but natural colors