October 19, 2002

Looking for great foliage in the upper Midwest? Check out the state of Wisconsin, southern Minnesota and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. These areas are experiencing high (61 to 80 percent) to peak color change. Elsewhere in the region, the foliage season is winding down in much of the northern half of Minnesota where past peak conditions and high leaf drop are being reported. The Lower Peninsula of Michigan and much of Ohio are in the moderate (31 to 60 percent) color range.

Leaf drop is high in much of Minnesota and the northern half of Wisconsin with sporadic reports of nearly complete leaf drop. In the remainder of the region, leaf drop is low to moderate.

Suggested drives. In Minnesota: Route 30 near Lake Shetek State Park; Route 14 near Swan and Middle Lake; Forestville-Mystery Cave State Park near Preston, MN in southeastern Minnesota; Blue Mounds State Park near Luverne in southwest Minnesota. In Wisconsin: Visit the Black River State Forest in west-central Wisconsin and enjoy a ride along Route 54 from Black River Falls to City Point, WI; Route 32 from Laona, WI to Mountain, WI (this drive runs through the Nicolet National Forest); Route 10 from Stevens Point to Waupaca. In the Upper Peninsula of Michigan: Route 26 from Mass City to Copper Harbor; Route 2 through the Ottawa National Forest from Wakefield to Iron River.

This information provided by Marek D. Rzonca, The Foliage Network.