Muted fall foliage finally starting to pop
Mike Jones/Observer-Reporter
The muted fall foliage in Western Pennsylvania is finally starting to pop after a dryer than usual summer nearly ruined the leaf-peeping season before a rainy September and recent cold snap “saved” the autumn colors.
“It is a little more muted than it has been in past years, but it’s really starting to pop now,” said Eric Knopsnyder, who is public relations director for the Go Laurel Highlands tourism agency. “It took a little longer than usual because of the dry (summer) weather. A month ago, I was a little nervous, but now it’s really starting to change.”
Weather obviously plays a big factor in how vibrant the fall colors are, and the trees were especially “stressed” in July and August by the lack of rain, according to Tim Sermak, who is a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh. Heavy rain in the spring provided a buffer, Sermak said, and the “near normal precipitation” last month and recent cold temperatures have now helped the leaves to turn, especially in higher elevations of Fayette and Westmoreland counties.
“The cooler spells I think have helped. This past week, it felt more like typical Pittsburgh fall,” Sermak said. “I’m sure people have noticed that, suddenly, someone flipped the switch and they’re finally ready to go.”
According to the weekly fall foliage report released Thursday by the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, all counties in Southwestern Pennsylvania are now at “peak” color. That’s welcome news to tourism agencies across the region that rely on visitors to boost local economies, especially this time of year. Knopsnyder said a couple from Miami stopped by the Go Laurel visitors’ bureau in Ligonier earlier Thursday asking for the best places to see the fall colors.
“Fall foliage is a big part of the draw, but the fall festivals are a big part of it, too,” he said. “We’re seeing people out with the fall weather and everything that means to people in the Laurel Highlands. I think this is probably going to be the best weekend we have in terms of colors. Get out and enjoy it.”
While fall foliage can be a draw for many area counties, it can also be hard to predict, just as this later than expected season has illustrated.
“I don’t know if we lean on the foliage (for tourism events) because it’s so hard to know when it happens,” said Chase McClain,who is the marketing director for the Washington County Tourism Promotion Agency.
But that doesn’t mean there aren’t great places to view the leaves. McClain said some of his favorite spots to go leaf-peeping in Washington County are the county parks, especially Mingo Creek and Cross Creek. He added that many biking and walking trails in the county – such as the Panhandle, Montour and now the National Trail near Claysville – are also great places to get outdoors, especially with what is expected to be a beautiful fall weekend.
“Especially talking about being outdoors, there’s no way to experience the county better than to be on the trails,” McClain said. “I think it’s hard to beat our trail system. I think it’s really beautiful.”
Greene County Tourism Director Joanne Marshall agreed, pointing to the Greene River Trail along the banks of the Monongahela as a popular attraction for visitors. But for Marshall, she loves going for a weekend drive and stopping at the old covered bridges that dot Greene County.
“I’m shocked the leaves have hung on as long as they have, but some of the oak trees are finally just turning,” Marshall said. “You get on those country roads and it’s just breathtaking some of the views you get. It’s a wonderful opportunity, especially when we were worried it was going to be an awful fall. But instead it’s been extended.”