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SILVER STAR MOUNTAIN – Will hot, dry, pooped leaves after a scorching summer and precious rain bring the colors of early fall to the Pacific Northwest? Or will they just shrink and fall quickly?
“There are some trees out there that are all brown and withered and would otherwise dress up in their fall colors,” said Ryan Ojerio, regional manager for the Southwest for the Washington Trails Association. “But (that’s more) in the city where the heat stress was worst. In the forest, where the trees are better protected by the shade of their neighbors, they seem to have fared better. “
Ojerio went on a colorful scouting hike late last month with colleagues from the US Forest Service and the Chinook Trail Association looking to improve the network of trails approaching this remote, not too difficult, and incredibly scenic peak in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. I accompanied myself with a camera to take in the breathtaking views of several regional peaks as well as carpets in yellow, red, purple and gold on the slopes below. To get there you will need to navigate a few final miles of rough, rocky roads that span the Clark-Skamania county line.
Driving all the way to Silver Star to marvel at colorful foliage is a huge challenge, even for serious fall worshipers. Fortunately, many color connoisseurs – from seasoned hikers to landscape painters – answered the call when we asked for suggestions on how to leaf through the site. Thanks to them, here is your guide to fall foliage viewing in Clark County and beyond. Some of these sites are well known and popular. Others are hidden gems that have now been revealed.
Fall Leaf Park, Camas. As the name suggests, this small park around a 15 hectare lake is rich in deciduous trees, which are mainly maple and alder for your color money. Fallen Leaf Park is also connected to an extensive network of similarly colorful hiking trails at Lacamas Lake, Round Lake, and Lacamas Regional Park, which has a beautiful waterfall.
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