LEAVES: The Allegheny National Forest is making it easier for residents to enjoy the autumn display this year.
Out-of-towners can learn about the transition in both the Allegheny National Forest and other forests in the national forest system online.
The website tells visitors where the transition to fall is in each, and they can download an app to share leave-peeping experiences with other fall enthusiasts. Readers can find it here: http://www.fs.fed.us/fallcolors/2015/index.shtml.
Living in a rural area, we like to check out the transition the old-fashioned way — looking out the back door. Around here, it’s not really possible to drive out of view of the tree-covered rolling hills.
Allegheny National Forest officials said most of the local forestland is about 10 percent into its transition.
“The road to the Hearts Content Scenic area is just beginning to show some lovely golden color along the edges,” forest officials reported. “The peak of color still seems to be at least a week away.”
Hearts Content is just one of many stopping points on the Allegheny National Forest, which offers a number of hiking trails and picnic spots. More can be found at http://visitanf.com/ or http://www.fs.usda.gov/allegheny/.
“America’s public lands, particularly our Eastern national forests, are among the most spectacular places to view the changes in fall colors,” said U.S. Forest Service Eastern Regional forester Kathleen Atkinson. “I encourage you and your family to spend some time outdoors in the coming weeks and enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of nature this fall.”
A beautiful autumn transition can be positive for local businesses when people travel to the area to enjoy the sites. As ANF officials said, “Fall colors provide an economic boost to many communities across the United States.”
The ATV trails on the local national forest closed on Monday, but some trails in the Marienville Ranger District will reopen for events this weekend and Columbus Day weekend.
From 12:01 a.m. this Saturday to 6 p.m. Sunday is the Marienville Volunteer Fire Department’s Tour De Forest fundraiser. Only people registered for the Tour De Forest will be granted access to the trails.
However, trails will be open for ATV riders to journey through the changing trees from noon on Oct. 9 to 8 a.m. Oct. 13. This includes the Timberline and Marienville ATV trails.
