algonquin fall colour report

Report Date: Monday October 12, 2009
Report Details: Algonquin Park's fall foliage colour is just past peak. The official fall colour peak for the Sugar and Red Maple canopy was Thursday, October 1, 2009.

Reds, oranges, and yellows continue to dominate the landscape making for impressive viewing, but increasing leaf fall from the forest canopy is resulting in more bare branches at the tops of trees throughout the Sugar Maple forest.

Understory areas are ablaze with colour change as they typically change later than the canopy as a result of the protection provided by overhead leaves against frost, cold temperatures, etc. Excellent understory colour is expected for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

For late season fall colour watchers, Tamarack (Larch) colour change is coming on strong showing green-yellow foliage already. Birches and Large-toothed Aspen are also progressing, with birches nearing their peak.

Some observers are commenting that this year's colour is one of the best since official record keeping began in 1972. Substantial rainfall amounts during summer, and temperatures dropping to near freezing in late August/early September, are thought to have resulted in this year's brilliant colours. In combination with other factors, such as shortening daylight length, trees have been rapidly breaking down chlorophyll (the green food manufacturing pigment in leaves) revealing Algonquin's outstanding fall colour.

In many observers' opinions, Algonquin Park's upcoming overcast and rainy (and even snowy) weather enhances fall foliage viewing when compared to sunny days. Thus, a rainy day trip to Algonquin Park can have substantial rewards. Check the weather forecast for more details.

Plan now for your Algonquin Park fall foliage trip any time from now to mid-October to see Algonquin's brightest season.

This fall foliage colour report will be updated as the season progresses. Check back for updates.

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Background

For the past 35 years, the average peak of Sugar and Red Maples in Algonquin Park has been September 27 (with a range from September 15 [1982] to October 9 [1996]. This variation in the peak is a result of numerous environmental conditions such as temperature, frost, precipitation, winds, etc., thus the exact timing of peak colour can not be precisely determined until it happens.

Traditionally, higher elevation areas of Algonquin Park, such as the western portion of the Highway 60 Corridor and the western half of the backcountry change colour earlier than the eastern half, as a result of the east's lower elevation. This year, wide-spread frost has encouraged fall foliage change throughout the Highway 60 including the "good places for viewing" listed below.

Percentage of Colour Change: 90%-100%
Percentage of Leaf Fall: 30%-39%
Good places for viewing: West Gate (km 0.0)
Algonquin Art Centre (km 20.0)
Two Rivers Picnic Ground and Beach (km 33.8)
Visitor Centre Viewing Deck (km 43.0)
Brewer Lake (km 48.6)
Algonquin's Backcountry (Interior)

Side Roads with Great Foliage Viewing Opportunities: Arowhon Road (north from km 15.4)
Source Lake Road (north from km 20.0)
Centennial Ridges Road (south from km 37.6)
Rock Lake Road (south from km 40.3)
Opeongo Road (north from km 46.3). This road is best for late season foliage viewing.
Recommended Trails: Hardwood Lookout Trail (Km 13.8)
Track and Tower Trail (Km 25.0)
Centennial Ridges Trail (south from Km 37.6)
Booth's Rock Trail (south from Km 40.3)
Lookout Trail (Km 39.7)



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