Autumn Foliage 2017?

[AnderlSp]

Hi,

The coming weekend I'll be in the Portland area.
I was wondering if there is already some autumn foliage visible to take photos?
If yes, where would you go to?

Any other suggestions for a beautiful hike of some hours with great photo opportunities?

Thanks
Andreas

[retired jerry]

welcome back, time for annual trip

I don't know about foliage.

The weather's supposed to be good next weekend. There was some rain so maybe the forest fire smoke will be gone now?

Anything in the Cascades would be good now. Mt Hood, Goat Rocks, Mt Adams... They are usually snow covered so now is a good opportunity.

[drm]

It varies every year but in September I think you have to get up pretty high to see fall colors. In 2015 I had some good color in the Clark Creek drainage of Mt Hood on the east side about this time. The best way there might be the Newton Creek trail and then turn left on the Timberline.

[Aimless]

Vine maples are usually the best source of fall colors in the Cascades, but they don't grow up quite high enough to be turning color this early. drm's photo of Clark Creek gets its colors mostly from huckleberry bushes. They'll be your best bet and they can be found in many places up near timberline, in the range of 4000 to 5000 feet elevation.

[romann]

Ape Canyon trail on Mt St Helens has a lot of vine maple, though it's probably early for fall colors. Last weekend a few miles from there color showed in open areas, but not in the forest yet.

On the other hand, there should be some fresh snow above timberline from this week - a rare opportunity to hike on dry trail and take pictures of white mountains. Should be pretty warm and sunny, so the snow won't stay around long. Timberline Trail on Hood should be great, or something on Mt. Adams.

Best fall colors I've ever seen were to the north in Central WA Cascades, in Alpine Lakes Wilderness.

[AnderlSp]

Hi,
Thanks for the good hints.
As I am based in Tigard, I guess I will go one day to the coast and one to Mount Hood and/or the Gorge.
I never have been to the Lost Lake where so many pictures are made of Mount Hood.
On the Timberline Trail how would you do this for a day hike with one car?
Is there an option somewhere to do a circle which you could recommend?

Thanks
Andreas

[retired jerry]

Paradise Park is 6 miles from Timberline Lodge. Stop and check out the lodge after.

McNeil Point is 3 miles from Top Spur trailhead. Or it's 7 miles to Barret Spur. I saw a lot of berries and bear poop - have your camera ready.

There aren't real good loops around there.

[pdxgene]

The show at Clear Lake is getting started...
From yesterday....
https://get.google.com/albumarchive/101 ... eZvsZVDqEg

It was kinda cloudy so it'll be even better on a full sunny day. The forest hasn't even started yet, mostly the lakeshore and lava rock areas, so it's about a 3-4 week show at least under normal weather conditions...