10/20/2011
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Color should be at peak for the West Virginia Turkey Festival in Hardy County this weekend, Oct. 21-22, 2011.
Leaves in the Eastern Panhandle county are at 85 percent peak, according to the West Virginia Division of Forestry. A recommended drive is Corridor H (U.S. Route 48). Leaf peepers can expect excellent hues this year, with oaks displaying much color variation.
Other counties in the area approaching maximum color include Jefferson, Berkeley and Morgan. Foresters recommend W.Va. Route 9 (George Washington Heritage Trail) for scenic drives.
Toward the central part of the state, color is peaking in Upshur and Lewis counties this weekend as well, said Regional Forester Tom Cover, who works out of the DOF’s Beckley office.
“Most of the higher-elevation areas and counties are well past peak and most of the mountaintops have completely defoliated,” Cover said.
Rain and wind took a great many leaves off the trees, but some limited viewing can be found in McDowell and Wyoming, and in the southern portions of Monroe and Summers counties.
“The maples, ashes and hickories have been extremely beautiful this year,” Cover said.
This weekend will be the last chance to view fall foliage in Raleigh County. The county is still showing some good color in and around Beckley. A recommended drive is Grandview Road from I-64 to Grandview Park.
Farther east, color is approaching 70 percent peak. Motorists on I-64 between Charleston and Huntington and I-77 between Charleston and Parkersburg can expect to view some good colors. In Logan County, W.Va. Route 17 over Blair Mountain is at peak color.
The next fall foliage report will be released on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011.
For more information about fall foliage, visit the Division of Forestry’s website at
www.wvforestry.com.
Contact Information
Leslie Fitzwater, Public Information Specialist
304-957-9342 or 304-541-8102
Leslie.C.Fitzwater@wv.gov