Ontario “More to Discover”
Fall Colour Report
The FALL COLOUR PROGRESSION REPORT is produced each Monday and Thursday during the beautiful fall colour season in the province of Ontario.
This is the report for Thursday, September 30, 2004
Northern Ontario
In the far northwestern region of Ontario, there is a 50 to 60% colour change with mainly gold and yellow in the aspen, birch and ash trees in the Dryden region to Kenora and across to the Fort Frances area. The “Pin” cherry and mountain maples trees are showing some bright red and orange. An ideal route to enjoy the colours is highway 502 south of Dryden to Fort Frances. Highway 714 and 11 between Fort Frances and Thunder Bay is offering excellent colour.
In Thunder Bay, they have experienced frost over the past few days and there is a 60% change as this time. There are some pockets of bright red in the maples as well as yellow and gold in the alder, birch and poplar trees. As the fall colour season continues there are many beautiful fall colourviewing locations, in the north, including areas along highways 11 and 17 towards Kakabeka Falls and the Ouimet Canyon area. The Cascades Conservation area is offering nice colour as well.
The north shore of Lake Superior across to the Sault Ste. Marie has progressed to about a 65% change at this time. The Agawa Canyon Tour train adventure, out of Sault Ste. Marie, is always an ideal fall colour excursion and the canyon is currently about 75% turned. Deep burgundy, bright orange and vibrant gold, are dominating the area.
In the northeastern region, the colours are gradually changing in the Kirkland Lake area to Temagami, with a 50% colour change at this time in the birch and poplar trees. Maple trees are starting to change as well with some nice pockets of colour now along highway 66 to Kirkland Lake. Highway 66 from Matheson to Englehart is offering some bright yellow from the poplars.
Over the next few weeks an ideal fall colour-viewing area is the fire tower lookout in Temagami. There is a 50% colour change in the Temagami area with some nice areas of gold from the birch trees and small pockets of orange and red in the maples, at this time.
The colour has advanced to a 60% change in the Sudbury area, with yellow and gold being the dominant colours. Highway 637 to Killarney is a beautiful fall colour route. The North Bay region is offering an 85% change just north of the city. Bright red and yellow dominate the region.
A good viewing area is along highway 534 from Powasson to Restoule. There are also some nice areas of colour from North Bay south to Burk’s Falls along highway 11. The Mattawa area has seen the colours advance to a 60% change.
In Algonquin Park, the colours have advanced quickly over the past few days and the colours will peak this weekend. The region has experienced several evenings of frost over the past week and the colours are very bright at this time. Dominant colours are red, burgundy, orange and gold. One of the ideal locations, to enjoy the colours in Algonquin, is the view from the observation deck, at the “world class” Algonquin visitor centre, along the highway 60 corridor. The view is always outstanding but especially breathtaking in the fall. Ragged Falls along the Oxtongue River, just west of the park and just north of highway 60 is an outstanding fall colour location.
Ottawa Region
There is a 40% colour change in the Ottawa area at this time. There are some very nice pockets of red, gold and yellow in the birch trees in the city. The colours are very nice along Moody Drive and a walk along the beautiful Rideau Canal is always outstanding during the fall.
Eastern Ontario
In the eastern Ontario region of the province the colour is advancing. There is a 60% colour change in the Kemptville area with some nice pockets of red and orange in the maple trees and yellow from the poplars. The Pembroke area has experience frost over this past week and the colour has advanced to an 80%. Bright reds and orange are dominating the landscape. Good viewing areas over the next two weeks will be highways 512, 515, 28 and 514. The Brockville, 1000 Island area, has about a 35% colour change, with some pockets of red and orange along the 1000 Island Parkway. A cruise of the beautiful 1,000 islands is always a great way to enjoy the fall colour, in this region.
Central Ontario
The Parry Sound region, is reporting a 60% change at this time with some nice colour along highway 124 and along highway 69, north of the town. The colour is advancing through the north Muskoka and northern Haliburton regions with a 70% colour change at this time. The area is experiencing beautiful pockets of bright red and orange. The Kawartha Lakes region is slow to change this year, just a 20% change at this time.
The Barrie, Huronia region across to Collingwood and the Blue Mountain region, sees the colour about 30% turned with peak colour expected by Thanksgiving weekend. Ideal viewing locations over the next few weeks include the Fire Tower Lookout in Dorset, Lions Lookout in Huntsville, the Horseshoe Valley area north east of Barrie and the Scenic Caves area in Collingwood, just to name a few. Also, taking a boat cruise, through the various “cottage country” regions of Ontario, is an excellent way to enjoy the fall colour.
Niagara Falls Region
The odd tree is starting to turn in this area. Just a 5% colour change but keep in mind the beautiful drive along the Niagara Parkway from Niagara on the Lake to Fort Erie will be outstanding for fall colour touring, in another week or so.
Southwestern, Region
The Owen Sound region and in particular the Inglis Falls area and across to the beautiful Beaver Valley, there is a 40 to 50% colour change at this time. The drive into the Beaver Valley from Grey County Road 4, in the south, is always outstanding during the fall. There are some nice pockets of bright orange and red in the area.
The Hockley Valley area and into the Caledon region, is showing just a 10 to 15% change. The Elora Gorge and Fergus area has some very nice pockets of early colour in the low-lying areas. The remainder of far Southwestern Ontario, including areas such as Pinery Provincial Park and the St. Clair Parkway are showing just a 5% colour change.
Toronto
Just a 10 to 15% colour change in the Toronto region at this time. There are some small pockets of colour along the Don Valley Parkway, Black Creek Parkway and the lakeshore parkland areas.
We have several outstanding Fall Colour Studio Tours this weekend (Oct 1st to the 3rd) that allow you the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful fall colours and perhaps pick up a one of a kind, handcrafted item at the same time. These are self-guided driving tours and very well signed.
18th Annual Elora/Fergus Studio Tour
Merrickville Artist’s Guild Studio Tour
Brant County Artist Studio Tour, Brantford to Paris
Dundas Studio Tour
Autumn Leaves Studio Tour, Flesherton
13th Madawaska Valley Studio Tour, Barry’s Bay and Eganville regions
Markham/Highway48 Studio Tour
Sarnia Lambton Studio Tour
Greater Sudbury Studio Tour
Autumn Leaves Studio Tour, 1000 Parkway region
Victoria County Studio Tour, Lindsay, Fenelon Falls, Coboconk regions
Tweed Studio Tour
Haliburton County Studio Tour
Headwaters Studio Tour, Caledon, Hockley, Mono Mills, Orangeville areas
Milton Studio Tour
Contact:
Jack Lynch
Travel Promotion Officer
Ontario Ministry of Tourism and Recreation
Ontario Travel Centre
Barrie
