Fall Pocket Passport MOUNTAIN COLOR
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2019 Fall Pocket Passport MOUNTAIN COLOR Nature works her astounding magic every autumn in West Virginia. As the third most forested state in America, our country roads are a sight to behold in the fall. Lush forests come alive with vibrant hues of red, amber and gold. It’s these heavenly vistas that set the stage for a season of autumn adventure and cherished family moments. Hear the sounds of leaves crunch under your feet and discover hidden waterfalls on an autumn hike. Or cast a line amid the fall color in a remote babbling brook. Try new seasonal flavors at a family-owned restaurant or visit a local farm to pick your own fresh produce. Experience local culture in one of our charming small towns, or get a fresh perspective aboard a scenic train ride. This autumn, check out from the daily grind and check in to one of our cozy cabins, vacation rentals, mountain lodges or quaint bed and breakfasts. Peace and quiet, panoramic views and pumpkin spice await, all in the mountains of Almost Heaven. Read on for insider tips on where to find the best leaves, scenic drives, hidden gems and more. Also be sure to visit WVtourism.com/fall for a live leaf map with photos from around the state. Ice Mountain Table of contents 1 ....... INTRODUCTION 4 ....... LEAF GUIDE 8 ....... LEAF ELEVATION MAP 10 ..... FALL FOLIAGE 14 ..... FALL FLAVORS 22 ..... OUTDOOR RECREATION 26 ..... FAMILY FUN 30 ..... LEAF PEEPING FALL ROAD TRIPS 36 ..... FALL EVENTS & FESTIVALS 40..... FALL CHECKLIST 2 3 LEAF IDENTIFICATION 1" - 1½" 3" - 5" WHITE ASH BLACK CHERRY Leaves: compound with 5 to 9 leaflets Leaves: lanceolate or pear-shaped Margins: finely toothed Margins: entire 2" - 6" 8" - 12" Branching: opposite Bark: smooth and reddish brown with narrow horizontal lenticels on younger Bark: ashy gray, furrowed into close diamond- trees; bark has small, black, platy scales with shaped areas separated by narrow interlacing upturned edges on older trees ridges 1" - 2½" YELLOW POPLAR BEECH Leaves: 4-lobed Leaves: elliptical shape Margins: smooth 2½" - 6"2½" Margins: remotely toothed with sharp, Bark: dark green and smooth with white incurved teeth spots on young trees; older specimens have Bark: thin, smooth and light blue-gray in interlacing bark with rounded ridges and ashy color fissures 4" - 6" diameter 1 ½" - 2" BIRCH Leaves: egg-shaped with a wintergreen smell and fruit at base of twig 3" - 4 ½" Margins: sharply toothed Bark: reddish brown to nearly black on young FIND ALL ELEVEN trees, brownish black on older trees LEAF SPECIES 5 LEAF IDENTIFICATION 4" - 5" RED OAK 2" - 4" WHITE OAK Margins: 7 to 11 toothed, bristle-tipped lobes Margins: rounded with 7 to 9 lobes extending evenly toward the midrib Bark: brown to nearly black and broken up 5" - 9" 5" - 8" into wide, flat-topped ridges (gray in color), Bark: light ashy gray, variable in separated by shallow fissures appearance, broken into small, vertically aligned blocks, scaly on the surface SUGAR MAPLE, STATE TREE WHITE PINE Leaves: circular in outline with 5 Leaves: in bundles of fives, each with palmate lobes whitish lines 3" - 5" Margins: smooth between lobes Bark: dark green and furrowed on young stems, while older trees have deep, closely Bark: gray and deeply furrowed, with long, fissured, rectangular blocks, irregular plates branches in a whorled arrangement 3" - 5" diameter SYCAMORE HICKORY Leaves: 3 to 5 lobes with cupped petioles Leaves: compound with 3 to 9 leaflets, but normally 5 to 7, inversely egg shaped Margins: toothed 8" - 22" Bark: brownish, soon mottled by the Mockernut Bark: firm, shallow furrows exfoliation of the outer bark exposing Shagbark Bark: gray, breaks into long, thin creamy-white inner layers plates Pignut Bark: scaly, ragged surface 4" - 7" diameter 7 LEAF ELEVATION MAP HANCOCK Weirton 22 Together, West Virginia’s mountainous BROOKE topography and lush forests provide OHIO Wheeling opportunities for world-renowned leaf 40 470 70 Moundsville peeping and fall color. Higher elevations MARSHALL change color first. Use this map as you 250 explore destinations and plan your fall Berkeley Springs MONONGALIA 68 Morgantown mountain escape. WETZEL MORGAN Fairmont 9 Martinsburg PRESTON 28 522 MARION 119 TYLER BERKELEY Visit WVtourism.com/fall for a live leaf Keyser Harpers Ferry Aurora PLEASANTS 50 50 map that showcases the current Parkersburg Clarksburg TAYLOR MINERAL 50 HAMPSHIRE 340 fall colors with photos from DODDRIDGE HARRISON GRANT WOOD Philippi JEFFERSON RITCHIE Parsons Davis 220 around the state. BARBOUR 81 77 Weston 20 TUCKER 48 Petersburg 48 WIRT LEWIS 33 Buckhannon HARDY Glenville UPSHUR 28 CALHOUN Elkins GILMER 33 Seneca Rocks Point Pleasant JACKSON Burnsville Spencer 33 Ripley RANDOLPH 220 MASON ROANE BRAXTON Sutton 2 119 79 219 33 PENDLETON PUTNAM 250 Barboursville Hurricane Webster Springs Snowshoe KANAWHA 19 Huntington 64 CLAY 60 WEBSTER 66 92 CABELL Charleston NICHOLAS 219 Summersville Richwood 28 39 55 Marlinton LINCOLN 119 WAYNE POCAHONTAS 39 Late September FAYETTE GREENBRIER BOONE Fayetteville 60 Early October Logan 64 219 MINGO White Sulphur Springs LOGAN Beckley Lewisburg Mid October Williamson RALEIGH 52 Mullens SUMMERS Late October WYOMING 77 MONROE Map provided by the MERCER 460 West Virginia Division of Forestry 52 Princeton MCDOWELL Bluefield 9 North Bend State Park New River-Greenbrier Valley The New River–Greenbrier Valley region is beautiful, and fall is no exception. The New River Gorge Bridge and Grandview are the perfect backdrops to any photo. Babcock State Park is one of the most iconic fall spots thanks to the Glade Creek Grist Mill. Hatfield-Mccoy Mountains With beautiful craggy mountains, gorgeous leaves are everywhere in the Hatfield-McCoy Mountains. Head toChief Logan State Park or Cabwaylingo State Forest for some leaf peeping. Or have a more unique autumn experience by hitting the Hatfield-McCoy Trails by ATV, UTV or dirt bike. Metro Valley FALL FOLIAGE Take a walk along the Carriage Trail for stunning views of Charleston or stop by Kanawha State Forest, a perfect area BEST LEAF VIEWING AREAS for hikers, bikers and everyone else to get their leaf fix. Visit Huntington’s Ritter Park where you can stroll through the leaves, or stop at Beech Fork State Park in Barboursville. When days grow cooler and leaves begin their transition to hues of red, yellow and orange, it’s time to plan a trip to the Mountain Mountaineer Country State. From guided hiking tours to scenic train rides—there’s no Mountaineer Country is home to one of the state’s most iconic wrong way to take in the dazzling display of fall foliage. Get a leaf peeping spots, Coopers Rock State Forest. Visit the main head start on planning your autumn escape by referencing the overlook or go off the beaten path and hike theRavens Rock fall foliage tracker and leaf elevation map at WVtourism.com/fall. trail for more amazing views. Tygart Lake State Park, Valley Falls State Park and Prickett’s Fort State Park are all great leaf peeping spots as well. 11 Wheeling Blackwater Falls Northern PanHandle potomac highlands Stroll through the historic Centre Market in Wheeling or walk This region is a mecca for spots with incredible fall beauty. It’s along the Wheeling Heritage Trail. Get an aerial view of fall home to Canaan Valley Resort State Park, Blackwater Falls color at Grand Vue Park in Moundsville. State Park and the Monongahela National Forest, which all boast stunning fall foliage. If you’re looking for more jaw- mid-ohio valley dropping views, visit the overlooks at Pase Point, Lindy Point, Table Rock, old Olsen Fire Tower or catch the changing colors The Mid-Ohio Valley is full of amazing spots to experience West of the beautiful blueberry bushes at Bear Rocks Preserve at Virginia’s fall foliage. From Blennerhassett Island Historical Dolly Sods National Wilderness. State Park to North Bend State Park, this region will leave you in awe of its scenic beauty. You can also hike, bike or horseback mountain lakes ride the North Bend Rail Trail, which stretches 72 miles through rural countryside. Explore this region and visit beautiful Stonewall Resort State Park. Stroll the lake’s shoreline or lounge on the lakeside patio eastern Panhandle and take in the beauty of the fall foliage around you. Head to Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park, located on the rim of the Harpers Ferry National Historic Park is the perfect backdrop Gauley River Canyon, for the perfect backdrop to any fall photo. to autumn with its idyllic streets, exhibits, museums and hiking Visit WVtourism.com/fallregions for a look into other leaf trails. You can also explore all 6,000 acres of Cacapon Resort peeping destinations. State Park, which has cozy cabins perfect for taking in the scenery and sipping hot apple cider. 13 Malty, spice-forward craft beer starts brewing once the air turns crisp and the autumn leaves fall. It’s the perfect time of year for a local, autumn-inspired craft beer brewed in the mountains of Almost Heaven. FAll With dozens of local craft breweries, CHECklIST West Virginia is home to every kind TRY A CRAFT BREW INSPIRED of craft beer—from hoppy IPAs and BY LOCAL HISTORY chocolaty browns to crisp blondes and complex sours. Many seasonal beers are inspired by local history, culture and folklore. In the fall, expect to see flavors of pumpkin, coffee and maple accenting those craft brews. Caramel, nutty and toasty malt notes also become more prominent. Try an amber beer for an easy-drinking, malty beverage. Or a Belgian brew for a more spice-heavy forward drink. An Oktoberfest, named in honor of Germany’s famous celebration, is typically an aged, heavier brew.