10/21/2010
Charleston, W.Va. – Foliage in many parts of West Virginia is at peak or near-peak color, so this weekend is a good chance to enjoy it before it’s gone.
“There’s beautiful scenery everywhere you look in Hampshire County,” said Regional Forester Rudy Williams. He recommends a drive on U.S. Route 50 from Capon Bridge to Romney.
Drivers heading to Monongalia County for Saturday’s WVU football game are in for the best views of the season. “All shades of red, orange, yellow and gold are showing up now in Harrison and Monongalia counties, and the colors won’t get any better this year,” Williams added.
The far Eastern Panhandle counties are still waiting on a burst of color, but there is some pretty scenery in the valleys and fields. Yellows and golds are the most prominent colors in Berkeley, Jefferson and Morgan counties.
The maples, poplars and birches are most colorful in Braxton County this week. Good views can be seen along U.S. Route 19 from Sutton to Ireland. Drivers also can see what will likely be the last of the fall color in Clay County along Interstate 79. Point Mountain in Webster County offers a good spot for picture-taking, and drivers should check out State Route 15 from Diana to Webster Springs.
The southwestern part of the state is reported to be at 80 to 90 percent peak. To get a glimpse of the best color, foresters recommend a drive on U.S. Route 119 in Boone County, Interstate 64 west from Charleston to Huntington, and Interstates 77 and 79 in Kanawha County.
The foliage in southern West Virginia will peak this weekend and some leaves are already falling off the trees. Limited color still remains in Fayette County on U.S. Route 60 from Ansted to Gauley Bridge. Mercer County’s highest elevation areas should be close to peak this weekend, while the rest of the county is still a few days away from peak. The best views are on U.S. Route 19 from Princeton to Ghent.
In Pocahontas County, a little white is mixed in with the fall foliage thanks to the snowfall at Snowshoe last week. Drivers can still spot some color along State Route 66 from Snowshoe to Cass.
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