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Red Sumac. West Bluff Trail.

It’s time for our first fall color report of the 2019 season. It’s been a rainy and cloudly kick-off to October, but the upcoming weekend looks better. So, about that color…

Fast Answer?

We’re not there yet! Another 2 weeks… ish…

Detailed Answer

If I could tell everyone one thing about fall color in our area is that waiting for “Peak” color is a losing game. Fall colors come across the Baraboo Hills in more of a wave. First, the stressed-out trees along city streets change. Then the parking lots around Devil’s Lake State Park show color, then the colors move across the sunny, exposed edges of the forest. This is when scenic drives through the Baraboo Hills are ideal. Next comes “Peak”. This is when visits to Parfrey’s Glen and Baxter’s Hollow are best. BUT: Lastly, the deep forest changes color. This last “deep forest” change is usually soon after “peak” but it’s when the park’s North Shore entrance road and some other popular color spots are at their best.

Check out our detailed “Fall Colors in the Devil’s Lake Region” page with video, notes, recommended locations and more…

View of the lake and North Shore from the Tumbled Rocks Trail

Right now, much of the Baraboo Hills area and Devil’s Lake is green with a smattering of yellows. The reds you will see are sumac trees, raspberry whips, and Virginia creeper vines. As you can see from the picture along with this blog there color is starting to appear on near the north shore parking lots and on the very top of the park’s East bluff.

West Bluff Trail. October 2nd

The photo above from the top of the park’s West Bluff trail gives you a good feel for what the forest trails look like right now. Again, mostly green with a smattering of yellow.

Now, this isn’t to say that there are not awesome colorful trees out there. There are and you could get a great photo if you know where to explore in the Baraboo Hills. Take the photo below, for instance. I snapped this colorful shot yesterday while laying out a new Scenic Drive for you I’m calling “Driftless Curves & Nature”. In fact, I’ll post the new drive (along with Google Map!) Friday (October 4th) right here and you can go check it out for yourself!

Colorful Maples in Rural Sauk County!

Come back next Wednesday and we’ll see where we are at!

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