Forecast looks good for glorious fall color
<em>Editor's note: Information for this article was provided, in part, by Jim Low, Missouri Department of Conservation, and Tom Uhlenbrock, Missouri State Parks.</em>
Despite this summer's hot, dry weather, a Missouri Department of Conservation forestry expert says things are "looking good for fall color this year" in the Ozarks. For many residents, it's the favorite season for driving Ozarks roads and floating Ozarks streams to enjoy fall colors.
MDC's Nick Kuhn predicts that other areas of the state may see average or less intensity in fall colors than in previous years, but "Cole County to Arkansas is looking good," he said.
Here, fall weather has been favorable for tree color so far, Kuhn said. Moderately dry conditions, with sunny weather and daytime highs in the 60s and nighttime lows in the 40s, all tend to intensify fall colors. However, freezing temperatures, heavy rain and strong wind could still cut short the fall-color season.
The average peak of fall color in Missouri is around Oct. 15, according to MDC.
Regional fall-color updates and information about the causes of fall color are available at mdc.mo.gov/node/4548/ or in the Fall Color Brochure, available by writing to MDC, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180 or emailing pubstaff@mdc.mo.gov.
Nearby fall-color driving tours
Ozark County is part of or close to several recommended driving tours for viewing fall colors. Here are some to consider:
Ozark County eastern loop. Take Highway 181 north from Gainesville. Pause at Highway FF to enjoy the spectacular view from one of the highest points in the county. Continue on 181 to Hodgson Mill (the gift shop is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays, through Oct. 14).
Continue north on Highway 181 through Dora (if you're low on fuel, you can fill up your gas tank - and your empty stomach - at Roy's Store).
North of Dora, turn left (west) on Highway 14, and a few miles later, turn south (left) on Highway 95 and follow it along the ridges and down through the creek bottoms until you reach Highway 5. Turn left (south) and drive back to Gainesville, enjoying the long-range views looking westward.
Glade Top Trail. One of the Ozarks' best-known fall-color routes cuts through the northwestern corner of Ozark County on what is known as the Glade Top Trail. The 23-mile route passes through the Mark Twin National Forest near the Hercules Glades Wilderness Area. The U.S. Forest Service recommends purchasing its detailed visitor's map of the area, available for $10 from the ranger station in Ava (1103 S. Jefferson St., open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; 417-683-5722). The map also can be ordered online at http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/marktwain/maps/.
The route follows state, county and forest service roads between Highways 5 and 160. The forest service website (www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/regions/eastern/gladetoptrail) says the main part of the trail "has changed little from the original road constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the late 1930s."
The trail has three entry points: In Ozark County, access the trail by taking Highway 95 north from Highway 160 west of Theodosia. At Longrun, turn left onto County Road 908, and then follow the signs onto CR 915 and 917. The road jogs into Taney County, and then reenters Ozark County on CR 935, which leads to CRs 943 and 932, which connect to the trail's northern end in Douglas County ending at Highway A and Highway 5, south of Ava.
The third entry point is in Taney County off Highway 125.
For more than 50 years, Ava organizations have sponsored the Flaming Fall Review festival on the trail in October. This year's festival is from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16, at the Caney picnic area on Douglas County Road 147. The event includes food, music, an outdoor church service at 10:30 a.m. and crowd-pleasing events such as a turkey calling contest and clogging exhibitions. For information contact the Ava Chamber of Commerce at 417-683-4594.
Northern Arkansas fall-color tours
The Harrison, Ark., Chamber of Commerce has published a list of recommended driving routes for viewing fall colors in that area. For more information, call 888-283-2163 or visit the website at www.harrisonarkansas.org.
One suggestion is to visit Harrison's Maplewood Cemetery, where 733 mature sugar maples put on a spectacular autumn show. The cemetery is located on Maplewood Road in Eagle Heights in southeast Harrison, just south of Highway 43 East.
These routes around Harrison are also recommended.
Gaither Mountain tour. Leave the Harrison Square heading south on Scenic Highway 7. Turn right on Arkansas Highway 43 toward Compton and Ponca. Five miles from Harrison you'll climb Gaither Mountain. One of the best views is from the summit. You'll then pass through Compton and on to Ponca, a 2.5-mile descent that offers spectacular views. Watch for elk in the field just before you turn left on Arkansas Highway 74 and cross the Buffalo National River. After the roadway switchbacks up the mountain, consider a short jaunt (left turn) down to Steel Creek on the Buffalo River. If the timing is right, the bluffs across the river should be ablaze with fall color. Head back up the hill and turn left on Highway 74 toward Jasper. About halfway, you'll pass through Low Gap, recommended as a side trip. Circle the square in Jasper and head north back to Harrison via Scenic Highway 7. Cross the Buffalo again at Pruitt, where the bluff on the left side of the road will likely show a delightful display of brilliant colors. Total roundtrip: 62 miles.
Osage tour. Take Scenic Highway 7 south from Harrison. Five miles beyond Compton, turn right on Arkansas 103 toward Osage, where a stop at the Stamps store is recommended; it's listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. Turn right on U.S. 412 and head back to Harrison through Alpena. At the stop sign there, turn right. After three miles, turn right on Highway 392 back to Harrison. Just after you pass through Batavia, Pilot's Knob will be on your right. You'll come back into Harrison at the square. Total roundtrip: 51 miles.
Bergman-Lead Hill tour. Take Highway 7 north from Harrison to Bergman. Just past Bergman, turn left on Highway 281. After seven miles, turn right on Highway 14 back toward Lead Hill. A left turn in Lead Hill onto Highway 7 takes you to Diamond City on Bull Shoals Lake. Return to Harrison via Highway 7. Total roundtrip: 53 miles.
Five favorite fall floats + one more
A press release from the Missouri State Parks Department suggests fall as the best time for an Ozarks float trip. Summer crowds are gone, and the sparkling streams reflect the autumn colors.
Gene Maggard, president of the Missouri Canoe and Floaters Association, says fall colors "peak anywhere from the 14th through the 21st. You've got the rivers to yourself; the hustle and bustle of summer is over. It's a good time of year for solitude."
The five floats (plus one more) listed here take four to six hours, depending on the time spent fishing and picnicking on gravel bars. Most of these stretches are spring fed, which means there's enough water for year-round floating. All are perfect for family outings.
Visit www.missouri.canoe.org for a list of outfitters on each river.
The Current River, from Cedargrove to Akers. The Current begins in the springs at Montauk State Park, and picks up steam with the input at Welch Spring, which averages some 175 million gallons of cold, clear water a day. Be sure to take time and visit the stone ruins of the hospital built above the spring cave.
The Jacks Fork from Alley Spring to Eminence. The Current and the Jacks Fork make up the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, the first national park created to protect America's pristine rivers. The mill at Alley Spring, across Highway 106 from the access, is one of the most picturesque in the state.
The upper Black River at Lesterville. This little jewel is one of the clearest streams in the Ozarks, with plenty of deep swimming holes. Combine a float with a visit to nearby Johnson Shut-Ins State Park to play in the Black as it flows through the chutes and bowls of the famed shut-ins.
The Eleven Point River from Greer Access to Turner Mill. Greer Spring pumps 220 million gallons a day of crystalline water into the river, making it a brisk float in all seasons. Take the mile hike to see the gorgeous spring, and look for the old mill wheel, standing like a giant steel sculpture in the forest opposite the Turner take-out.
The North Fork of the White River from Hammond Camp to River of Life Farm resort. The river is one of the few in Missouri clear and cold enough to support wild trout. Stretches of the river run over bedrock slabs. Rainbow Springs strengthens the flow along the way.
Plus one more, Bryant Creek is one of the Ozarks' hidden jewels (as evidence that it's "hidden," note that it was not included in the Missouri State Parks press release describing the five floats listed above). Local residents enjoying the beauty and solitude available on a float from Sycamore access at Hodgson Mill (off Highway 181) to Warren Bridge on County Road 328.
