2003 Current Narrative Reports
- Mt
Baker - Hwy 20 and Hwy 542
- 10/13/03
- Fall
Color: Past peak above 4000 feet and moderate below 4000 feet.
- Best
areas are still the upper reaches of State Route 542 and
along State Route 20 near the passes.
- Note
that State Route 542 is now closed past the Mt. Baker Ski
Area due to snow. This past weekend there was a reported 6
inches of snow reported at the Washington/Rainy
Pass areas along State Route 20.
- The
seasons have changed from sunny and mild to - - - wet and
windy.
- 9/30/03
- State
Route 542, Mt. Baker Highway, 4000 feet and above - - at
or near peak.
Best area is Heather Meadows. Below 4000 feet, scattered
moderate color.
- State
Route 20, North Cascades Highway, 4000 feet and above - -
at or near peak.
Best area is near Rainy & Washington Passes.
Below 4000 feet, scattered spotty moderate color
- Many
south facing slopes are tinged with brown due to the ultra
dry summer conditions.
- Berries:
Way past peak for most areas.
Still can find some in sheltered areas near edges of meadows.
- Darrington
- Hwy 530 and Mountain Loop Hwy
- 10/6/03
- Flowers,
berries are all fading fast now, but the leaves are starting
to change on all trails.
- Fall
colors are turning now.
Lots of beautiful reds and oranges are blending in with
the scenery.
- North
Fork Sauk Trail has some beautiful areas that show this,
as well as Green Mountain and Pugh.
- Skykomish
- Hwy 2
- 10/22/03
- The
drive on U.S. Highway 2 to Stevens Pass is great for viewing
fall colors bursting in reds, oranges, yellows, and greens.
- 9/30/03
- Enjoy
the fall colors at the Wellington Trailhead of the Iron Goat
Trail
(don't miss the interpretive hike on railroad archaeology
Saturday, October 4th at 9:30 am. Contact the Iron Goat Trail
information line at (206) 517-3019.
- The
Miller River Road to the Lake Dorothy Trail is also recommended
for enjoying fall colors.
- Snoqualmie
(North Bend) - I-90
- 9/25/03
Good tips for viewing fall colors:
- Hikes:
Granite Mt., Kendall katwalk, Mt Defiance and anything above
2500 elevation with open exposure.
- Drives
in the country: Stampede Pass area and Rocky Run FS Road
4832.
- Gold
Creek Pond is a good area to view the Gold Creek valley before
sun down. The yellows and reds make the valley look like it is on
fire.
- A
nice walk up the ski slopes on the west summit also provides
views of fall colors.
- Snoqualmie
(Enumclaw) - Hwy 410
- 9/18/03
- Fall
color is just starting to show in the White River area.
A nice drive to view the colors is along Forest Service
Road 72.
- Suntop
Lookout on Forest Service Road 7315 is a great spot to take
in the view of the surrounding landscape.
The gate is open to the lookout on weekends -- WHEN volunteers
are available.
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