Thursday, October 28, 1999

Southern Ohio's fall colors perform grand finale

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The Associated Press

        COLUMBUS — Ohio's annual fall color season is beyond its peak in most regions of the state, however there's still plenty of late-autumn color to be enjoyed, especially in southern counties.

        Field reports gathered by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) indicate that patches of color remain in Ohio's fields and forests, providing “leafpeepers” with some final fall color viewing opportunities.

        “The coming week will offer some lingering flashes of fall color, bringing an end to one of Ohio's finest fall color seasons this decade,” said ODNR forester Bill Schultz. “While the brightest autumn hues have disappeared from most trees, some excellent color can still be found in southernmost Ohio, and on individual trees in urban areas throughout the state.”

        Several southern Ohio state for ests and parks are still reporting peak conditions, including Shawnee State Forest in Scioto County, Zaleski State Forest in Vinton County and Jackson Lake State Park in Jackson County. “Depending on weather conditions over the next few days, that color could hold on a bit longer,” he said.

        Ohio's 73 state parks, 20 state forests and 121 nature preserves provide excellent locations to sample the splendid fall foliage.

        The department uses these terms to describe scenic conditions: Peak — peak colors. Fading — mostly colored, but fading from peak conditions. Leaf drop — few leaves on trees. Conditions are subject to rapid change.

        Here are current reports from selected locations: CENTRAL

        Alum Creek State Park (Delaware County) Leaf Drop; Mount Gilead State Park (Morrow County) Fading. NORTHEAST

        Punderson State Park (Geauga County) Leaf Drop; Findley State Park (Lorain County) Leaf Drop; Mohican State Park and State Forest (Ashland County) Leaf Drop; Malabar Farm State Park (Richland County) Fading. EAST

        Guilford Lake State Park (Columbiana County) Fading; Salt Fork State Park (Guernsey County) Fading; Blue Rock State Park and State Forest (Muskingum County) Fading; Fernwood State Forest (Jefferson County) Fading; Beaver Creek State Park (Columbiana County) Leaf Drop. SOUTHEAST

        Lake Hope State Park (Vinton County) Fading; Hocking Hills State Park and State Forest (Hocking County) Fading; Jackson Lake State Park (Jackson County) Peak Burr Oak State Park (Morgan County) Fading; Tar Hollow State Forest (Ross Coun ty) Fading; Zaleski State Forest (Vinton County) Peak. SOUTHWEST

        Shawnee State Park and State Forest (Scioto County) Peak; Paint Creek State Park (Ross County) Fading; Caesar Creek State Park and State Nature Preserve (Warren County) Fading; Pike Lake State Park (Pike County) Fading; Little Miami State Park (Warren County) Fading. WEST

        Kiser Lake State Park (Champaign County) Fading; J. Bryan State Park/Clifton Gorge Nature Preserve (Greene County) Fading; Indian Lake State Park (Logan County) Fading. NORTHWEST

        Van Buren State Park (Hancock County) Leaf Drop; Maumee State Forest (Fulton County) Fading; Harrison Lake State Park (Fulton County) Leaf Drop.

        For updates, call the state's toll-free hot line, 1-800-BUCKEYE.

       

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