Missouri residents are in for a colorful autumn treat. According to the Missouri Department of Conservation, the good weather this year should prompt vivid and plentiful fall foliage throughout the state.
"If the weather continues to cooperate, with cool nights and warm days, we should be in business to have a beautiful fall color display," said MDC News Services Coordinator Joe Jerek.
Trees started changing color earliest in northern Missouri, moving south across the state. Fall foliage is estimated to peak in Mid-Missouri around the middle of October, Jerek said. Peak foliage is seen when maple, ash, oak and hickory trees are at their most vibrant.
Although September started out fairly warm, the cooler temperatures toward the end of the month were still enough to kickstart timely changing colors. Unusual weather events, such as the drought or strong wind storms seen in the past few years, can seriously harm the quality of the foliage, Jerek said. Luckily, Missouri hasn't yet experienced any of those damaging weather patterns.
The ideal weather to produce bright foliage is warm, sunny days followed by cool nights. Leaves begin to change when cooler nighttime temperatures trap sugars produced by photosynthesis and break down the green pigments. As the green is broken down, yellow and orange pigments caused by carotenoids become visible. Red and purple hues are created when the trapped sugars are turned into anthocyanins.
To take in some great views of the vibrant trees, MDC Community Forester Mark Grueber recommends seeking routes along rivers, areas with forested bluffs and driving on back roads.
"Even treeless areas, such as prairies and roadsides, display beautiful shades of gold, purple, olive and auburn with autumn wildflowers, shrubs and grasses," Grueber said in a news release. "In cities and towns, enjoy places with mature trees, such as older neighborhoods, parks and even cemeteries."
If you prefer to combine physical activity with viewing foliage, Jerek suggests heading to the conservation areas and state parks in the region to hit the trails. Here are some fall hikes that will get you right in the middle of the changing trees:
NEARBY
Rudolf Bennitt Conservation
This conservation area at the meeting of Boone, Howard and Randolph counties is 75 percent forested, making it an obvious choice to view colorful trees. The multi-use Moniteau Trail covers 12.5 miles in total, with multiple loop paths available.
Scrivner Road Conservation
Scrivner Road Conservation Area is located about 3 miles south of Russellville in Cole County. A lake, two ponds and a stream provide added scenery, and the multi-use, 8.5-mile Moreau Creek Trail loops through both forests and old fields.
Three Creeks Conservation
This area, located about halfway between Columbia and Ashland, features scenic bluffs and oak and maple forest that afford colorful views. Both the 3-mile Turkey Creek Nature Trail and the 8-mile Three Creeks Trail offer a few loops for different levels of difficulty.
AROUND THE STATE
Lake of the Ozarks State Park
About an hour down U.S. 54 from Jefferson City, Lake of the Ozarks State Park is a close opportunity to see the beauty of fall colors next to the scenic lake. The 2-mile Rocky Top Trail winds through woodlands, coming out on a bluff overlooking the Grand Glaize arm of the lake. What can beat looking at the golden, red and orange hues reflected back in the sparkling water?
Castlewood State Park
On the outskirts of West St. Louis County, Castlewood State Park offers several hiking trails. The 3.25-mile River Scene Trail follows the edge of a bluff overlooking the Meramac River Valley and also meanders through forests next to the river, providing spectacular opportunities to wonder at plentiful fall foliage.
Mark Twain State Park
Located in Northeast Missouri, Mark Twain State Park includes several trails through wooded areas, some overlooking Mark Twain Lake. The 2.25-mile Dogwood Trail along the lake's northern edge carves a path through an oak and hickory woodland, two trees likely to be quite colorful in mid-October.
Wallace State Park
To the northwest, Wallace also features trails of varying length and difficulty. The .6-mile Rocky Ford Trail is lined with sycamore and cottonwood trees, along with the typical oaks of Missouri parks. The more strenuous, 3-mile Deer Run Trail runs through both heavily wooded areas and former farmland with younger trees.