Its that time of year.... when the trees put on a spectacular display of color before shedding their leaves for winter.

Thought I'd share some links to some cool fall foliage websites related to Oklahoma.....


1.) This link with a pretty cool interactive map of when different areas of the country are best for foliage tours.

Fall Foliage Map & Peak Leaf Forecast (http://smokymountains.com/fall-foliage-map/)

2.) TravelOK - Oklahoma Fall, Foliage and Festivals | TravelOK.com - Oklahoma's Official Travel & Tourism Site (http://www.travelok.com/fall_foliage_and_festivals)

3.) TalimenaScenicDrive.com - Talimena National Scenic Byway Home - Talimena National Scenic Byway (http://www.talimenascenicdrive.com)

4.) Top 10 places for fall foliage in Oklahoma (according to Examiner.com) - Top 10 places for fall foliage in Oklahoma - Oklahoma City Day Trips | Examiner.com (http://www.examiner.com/article/top-10-places-for-fall-foliage-oklahoma)

5.) Live foliage map as submitted by users - Focuses on Maine, but covers Oklahoma too. - New England Foliage Map - Yankee Foliage - Your Source for New England Fall Foliage (http://www.yankeefoliage.com/live-fall-foliage-map/)


We will probably go into SE Oklahoma or the Wichita Mtns. area in late Oct. to view the colors while hiking.

What are your favorite trips within the state to see fall foliage? And feel free to post pics!

We went over the Talimena Skyline Drive last year, in mid-November, then circled back via Lake Murray and Turner Falls. It was sensory overload.

The Blaze Maple at our cabin near the Arbuckles was starting to turn when I was down there a couple of weeks ago. Expecting it to be in it's full blaze of glory when I get down there this afternoon or in the morning.

Road Trip!!!!

We went to Steamboat Springs, Rocky Mountain NP and Estes Park a couple of weekends ago, we were about a week early for the orange. We saw some yellow but nothing like from Independence Pass to Aspen the past couple of years.

I'm currently in Upstate NY and the fall foliage is amazing. At least for another 3 weeks until winter sets in, and then it's pure hell for 5 months straight!

This is my fifth fall here, and it seems that the fall foliage around the metro, albeit fairly limited, peaks about Veteran's Day weekend.

We went over the Talimena Skyline Drive last year, in mid-November, then circled back via Lake Murray and Turner Falls. It was sensory overload.

I would suggest this route, or having any other route incorporate at least parts of this route, would prove enjoyable for just about anyone.
The Talimena Drive is a very nice way to spend some time spring-fall. It can be interesting in winter as well, but is not for the faint of heart in colder, icy weather, even when it hasn't been officially shut down.

I don't get back near enough. I need to be changing that aspect of my life.

Foliage report: Fall colors starting across Oklahoma | Oklahoma City - OKC - KOCO.com (http://www.koco.com/weather/foliage-report-fall-colors-starting-across-oklahoma/29308720)

At the Myriad Gardens, yesterday.
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Another one from The Myriad Gardens. . .

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http://www.koco.com/image/view/-/29483886/highRes/1/-/maxh/480/maxw/640/-/anopig/-/JC-FALL-COLORS-png.png

Fall colors intensifying across Oklahoma | Oklahoma City - OKC - KOCO.com (http://www.koco.com/weather/fall-colors-intensifying-across-oklahoma/29483892)

According to TravelOK.com, the most scenic drive in Oklahoma, the Talimena Scenic Byway is not near peak but producing good colors:

"The fall foliage season along the Talimena National Scenic Byway, is just beginning with some light yellows and patches of autumn color on the still mostly green trees. Talimena State Park has a few trees beginning to change, and the trees at Lake Wister State Park are showing oranges, bronze, yellows and a little red. While still in the early stages, they are on their way to peaking."

Read more: Fall colors intensifying across Oklahoma | Oklahoma City - OKC - KOCO.com (http://www.koco.com/weather/fall-colors-intensifying-across-oklahoma/29483892#ixzz3I0uDtMuS)


I spent the weekend down at Broken Bow, drove Hwy 1 on the way back and that's pretty accurate. Looks like a week or three before peak, depending on the weather.

I was at Robbers Cave and the Talimena Drive last Thurs/Fri...and Turner Falls, Chickasaw Nat'l Rec. Area, and Lake Murray on Sat/Sun. There were trees here and there that were pretty, but if you're looking for the big vistas of colored hillsides, it ain't happenin' yet...and I question whether it will or not. Seems like a bit of an off year for foliage to me.

http://i.imgur.com/v7u2bZc.jpg

This is what Talimena drive looked like this last weekend. Still not at peak yet, if the peak is coming.

Boomer Lake Park, Stillwater

http://stillwaterweather.com/headers/header-fair.jpg

Has anyone been to Talimena Drive in the past week? I was actually planning on going this past weekend since the weather would have been perfect but I instead stayed in Dallas to watch the OU/Baylor game (I know, BAD miscalculation LOL). Hope I don't pay too much for my decision. How do you think the leaves will hold up with a big cold front coming through?

I was going to try this weekend. I'm thinking I've likely missed the peak, but would it still be worth it to go visit?

Two weeks ago when I was there it was pretty early, muted golds and a very few reds. I have some friends who went this last weekend and judging from their photos on facebook, there was more color, still plenty of green and lots of leaves on trees. I have a feeling it's not going to be spectacular this year like it was last year but this weekend will probably be decent. It's a nice drive anytime of year IMO.

Travelok report: Foliage Update 11-10-2014 - The fall foliage season along the Talimena National Scenic Byway is showing light yellows and patches of autumn color on the still mostly green trees. It is recommended to make the drive this week to see what color is there.

http://www.travelok.com/fall_foliage_and_festivals

We stayed in Broken Bow for a couple of days, visited the Museum of the Red River a little south of there in Idabel one morning and were pleasantly surprised. Worth a stop if you are near the area.

I do not think you have missed the peak.

I believe this is from about a week back, when baby brother was out and about.

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The trees on the East side of May between SW 131st and 119th were really pretty this year. One of the things I missed with living in Denver was the aspens. Really pretty.

The apsens in our backyard this year were yellow for a while, orange one day and then they were gone with the strong wind that blew in. We had a lengthy orange period last year.

Cavanal. as seen from rural Poteau.
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I believe this is from early or mid week from the local paper site. I came across it on FB

I just love that entire area around Poteau. Next time I'm out that way I plan to make the little drive to the top of "The Highest Hill in the World." You can probably almost see the Heavener Runestone from there. =)

(followed by yet another wonderful dinner at Warehouse Willie's in their version of Bricktown =)

Looking a bit further, baby brother found the image on the paper's FB page as their banner picture.

RM, I grew up playing all over Cavanal, and still hold many enjoyable memories of the jaunts from youth, young adulthood, and a few still feeling young days as well. Creeks, cliffs, waterfalls, critters, orchard, fire tower and old mines ... good times.

Looking a bit further, baby brother found the image on the paper's FB page as their banner picture.

RM, I grew up playing all over Cavanal, and still hold many enjoyable memories of the jaunts from youth, young adulthood, and a few still feeling young days as well. Creeks, cliffs, waterfalls, critters, orchard, fire tower and old mines ... good times.

For me it was Flagstaff Mountain, Boulder Canyon, the Foothills and Mesas of the Rockies, The Flatirons, The Peak to Peak Highway, Jamestown, Gold Hill, Sunshine Canyon, Coal Creek Canyon and Eldorado Springs. I don't, however, remember much fall color up there. Lots of evergreen trees and the leafy trees didn't have a chance to change before the snow and Chinook winds made short work of their leaves. The Aspen trees were pretty for at least six months out of the year.

.

A little "local color" (pre-polar vortex)
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https://scontent-b-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/l/t1.0-9/6272_776640662383201_2365016333175924273_n.jpg?oh= 3e2f709ece31744688947e5cb9e942b8&oe=54E34E74

I found it amusing the tree outside Hobby Lobby was a close cousin color wise to their sign. Pretty shades in those pics.

Next time I'm out that way I plan to make the little drive to the top of "The Highest Hill in the World."

RM,
Too late, last week I took a wheel barrow load of dirt and made it the "Smallest Mountain in the World".
C. T.

It's a bummer. Our Fall season got cut a bit short this year.