The FALL COLOUR PROGRESSION REPORT is posted each Tuesday and Friday during the beautiful fall colour season in the province of Ontario.
This is the report for Thursday, October 7, 2004
Northern Ontario
In the far northwestern region of Ontario, there is a 80% colour change with lots of bright red in the maples, mainly gold and yellow in the aspen, birch and ash trees from Dryden to Kenora and across to the Fort Frances area. 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 a 90% 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 the odd poplar tree is still green for contrast.
As the fall colour season continues there are many beautiful fall colour-viewing 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 area, the colours are at peak for this Canadian Thanksgiving weekend. The colours have peaked a little later than in other years.
The Agawa Canyon Tour train adventure, out of Sault Ste. Marie, is always an ideal fall colour excursion. The train adventure continues through October 16th. The full Algoma region continues to offer deep burgundy, bright orange and vibrant golds.
In the northeastern region from Kirkland Lake area to Temagami, there is a 70% to 80% colour change at this time in the birch and poplar trees. Maple trees are offering some nice pockets of colour along highway 66 to Kirkland Lake.
Highway 66 from Matheson to Englehart is offering bright yellow from the poplars. An ideal fall colour-viewing area is the fire tower lookout in Temagami. Highway 11 south of Temagami to North Bay is offering excellent colour. The colour has advanced to an 80% 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 approaching peak colour. Bright yellow and gold with splashes of red dominate the region. Highways 524 and 534 are beautiful at this time.
There is also some beautiful colour from North Bay, south to Burkˇs Falls along highway 11. The Mattawa area has the colours at peak as well. In Algonquin Park, the colours are also at peak. 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 50% colour change in the Ottawa area at this time. Dominant colours are gold and yellow with some patches of bright red from the maples, in the city. The colours are very nice along Moodie 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. In the Kemptville area the colours will peak this weekend with nice splashes of red and orange in the maple trees and yellow from the poplars. The Pembroke area is experiencing peak colour. Bright reds and orange are dominating the landscape. Good viewing areas are highways 512, 515, 28 and 514.
The Brockville, 1000 Island area, has about a 50% colour change, with some nice 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
In the Parry Sound region, the colour is very close to peak, along highway 124 and along highway 69, north of the town. The colour is close to peak in the Muskoka and Haliburton regions as well. The area is experiencing beautiful pockets of deep red, orange and yellow.
A tour of the Muskoka region from the Bala(highway 169) area, to Port Carling(highway 118) and into the Bracebridge, around Lake Muskoka, is outstanding at this time.
The Kawartha Lakes region has advanced to a 50% colour change. Highways 28 north to Bancroft and 121 north of Fenelon Falls are especially colourful at this time.
The Barrie, Huronia region across to Collingwood and the Blue Mountain region, sees the colour about 50 to 60% turned with peak colour expected early next week.
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. 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 colours are slow to turn in the Niagara region. The weather has been outstanding for the past month, in the area. There is 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 a week or so.
Southwestern Region
The Owen Sound region and in particular the Inglis Falls area and across to the beautiful Beaver Valley, where there is a 60% 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 featuring a 30% change, with some nice pockets of burnt orange and yellow. The Elora Gorge and Fergus area has some very nice pockets of colour with the leaves about 60% turned with a nice mix of red, orange and green for contrast. The remainder of far Southwestern Ontario, including areas such as Pinery Provincial Park and the St. Clair Parkway are showing a 20% 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 Canadian Thanksgiving weekend, 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.
Lakeshore Open Doors Studio tour- Burlington
Escarpment Studio Tour- Chatsworth
Harvest Homecoming Studio Tour- Kinmount
Haliburton County Studio Tour
Artists around the Sound- Owen Sound
Thanksgiving Studio Tour- Parry Sound
Autumn Studio Tour- Perth
Images Thanksgiving Studio Tour- Barrie, Orillia, Horseshoe Valley Region
Fall Colours Studio Tour- eastern Ontario in the Wesport area
16th Annual Autumn Leaves Studio Tour- I000 Islands region (Gananoque)
Country Roads Studio Tour- Callander (North Bay region)
