As the days grow cooler and darker and frost increasingly blankets the earth, the forests undergo a colorful redesign.
Fall’s transformation is approaching peak colors right now across Northwest Montana. A majority of leaves are changing as October commences and pretty soon they will fall to the ground, marking the climactic end of the season.
Of course, Glacier National Park is an ideal location to witness this spectacle. The Weather Channel recently ranked Glacier the second best national park in the U.S. to see autumn’s transformation. The larch trees are already turning golden.
The last day to access Logan Pass by vehicle from the east side was Oct. 4. The west side remains open until the third weekend of October, weather permitting.
Flathead National Forest is also full of great outdoor viewing opportunities, including the Jewel Basin. The hike to Strawberry Lake is one of my favorites. It’s a 2.8-mile jaunt that climbs 1,500 feet.
Be sure to take precaution while adventuring. Bear activity has been significant in recent weeks. Wildlife officials recommend hikers carry bear spray.
For more information about fall colors, visit http://www.fs.fed.us/fallcolors/2015.