Autumn Leaf Watch, Weekly Report

REGION 1: Evangeline Trail

Autumn has spread a mantle of orange and red over the mountains which flank the Evangeline Trail where 50-75 per cent of leaves have turned. Individual maples are breathtaking; ash glow a rich purple. Look for bursts of bronze in the cinnamon ferns and a fire of scarlet in the Virginia creeper.

• Site 2, Ellenwood Lake Provincial Park: Enjoy the crisp autumn air at Ellenwood Lake Provincial Park where 50-75 per cent of leaves have turned a lovely medley of orange and red. These colourful hardwoods make for a stimulating fall stroll.

• Site 6, Bear River: Colour is exploding across the hillsides overlooking Bear River. With 50-75 per cent of hardwoods now a mosaic of red, orange, yellow and purple, reflections in this scenic tidal river are magnificent.

• Between Sites 6 and 7, Granville Ferry: Tucked between the Annapolis River and North Mountain, now adorned in glorious colour, the picturesque village of Granville Ferry boasts an array of brilliant maples. Across the river lies Annapolis Royal which celebrates Arts Festival XVI with a costume ball, art exhibits and readings by Canadian authors, Oct. 16-17.

• Site 8, Aylesford: North Mountain at Aylesford is aglow with autumn hue with half of its leaves ablaze. Drive through the valley for the feel of fall as individual maples are radiant, apple trees are laden and shiny orange pumpkins are piled high on steps and porches.

• Site 10, Halls Harbour: Shuffle your way through a carpet of red and orange along the trail at Halls Harbour. With 75 per cent of leaves turned and some leaves beginning to fall, you'll enjoy colour all around as you meander beside a pretty brook. Glowing purple ash and bright-red rose hips add to the drama.

Ski Martock takes you to the heights of autumn. Ride the chairlift up through the colours to the top of the mountain, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. every weekend in October. Bring your hiking boots or rent a bike for a close up experience of autumn's splendour.

Spy on a policeman capturing two robbers on a rooftop or watch the antics of a hillside of skiers...the Kentville Pumpkin people are a hoot! They cost nothing to enjoy -- just drive or walk through the streets of Kentville for some fall frolic.

REGION 2: Glooscap and Sunrise Trail

Wherever you travel along the Glooscap and Sunrise Trail, colour abounds. Plan your journey now as many of the hardwoods are at their peak.

• Site 13, Gore Courthouse Hill: Look for the spreading red in the blueberries at Courthouse Hill in Gore in this stunning five county view. Reds, oranges and yellows contrast with the green conifers making a vivid mosaic of fall colour now at 50-75 per cent.

• Site 22, Fenwick: The blueberry fields along the Fenwick Ridge spread a low red carpet across the foreground. In the distance, the rolling hardwood hills continue their journey into fall, now 25-50 per cent in autumn colour.

• Site 23, Wentworth: Birch and aspen bring brilliant yellow to the mountainsides of Wentworth Valley, already vibrant with the oranges and reds of the maples. Here you'll find 50-75 per cent of the site in autumn colour. As you drive over Folley Mountain, look for a patchwork of red and orange in the ground-hugging blueberries.

• Near Site 25, Highway 311: On the drive from Truro to Tatamagouche, the rolling hills reward the traveller with a spirited tapestry of colour. Near Earltown, peak colour has come and gone revealing the effects of localized climate. The barren hardwoods remind us to get leaf watching now.

• Site 26, Mount Thom: Dazzling red, yellow and orange of the maples, brilliant yellow of aspens and birch, deep red of the blueberry, plum hues of the ash -- make sure you experience Mount Thom in peak colour.

• Site 28, Marshy Hope: Frost has intensified the colours on the steep-sided slopes of Marshy Hope where orange, yellow and gold now blaze. Ash along the highway varies from bronze to purple in this spectacular site now at 75-100 per cent.

Warm cider and desserts, enjoy the comfort foods of fall at the Harvest Tea at the Hector Exhibit Centre in Pictou on Sunday, Oct. 17, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

REGION 3: Cape Breton Island

Catch the wave of colour as it breaks over Cape Breton Island. The mountains are turning wonderful shades of red, orange, yellow and purple now that 50-75 per cent of leaves have changed. A magical time for a drive or a hike.

• Site 32, Margaree Valley: The rolling hills of the Margaree Valley are a paintbox of reds, oranges, yellows and pale greens now that 75-85 per cent of leaves have turned.

• Site 33, Cap Le-Moine: As you drive through Cap Le-Moine where 50-75 per cent of leaves have turned, you are met by a mixture of textures and tones. On one side are golden brown grasses swaying in the wind. On the other, the hills are awash in warm rusty tones, a blend of orange-red maples, purple-hued ash and red pin-cherries.

• Site 36, Cape North: The mountain slopes of Cape North are a collage of colour. Large areas are at their prime in a glorious reddish-gold while others are now turning from rich green to bright crimson. Seventy-five per cent of the leaves are in autumn tones, including nectarine, lemon yellow, bronze, day-glow shades of orange and pink. They are stunning.

• Site 37, Cape Smokey: Cape Smokey is a beacon of colour. Reds and oranges in the maples, mountain-ash and pin-cherries light up the mountainside now that 50-75 per cent of hardwoods are ablaze.

• Site 45, Marble Mountain: Yellows and oranges sweep across Marble Mountain as autumn foliage reaches its peak. Red maples add to the beauty with splashes of bright scarlet.

• Site 46, Salt Mountain: There has been a dramatic change in the colours on Salt Mountain from last week. Enjoy peak colour by hiking up the trail in Whycocomagh Provincial Park for a panoramic vista of the Bras d'Or Lake with its islands swathed in autumn tones.

Celtic Colours International Festival continues until Saturday, Oct. 16, in venues across the island. It is a musical celebration of Cape Breton's glorious fall.

While enjoying the colour along the Fleur-de-lis Trail, stop at the Fortress in Louisburg which is open until the end of October. Guided tours are available.

REGION 4: Marine Drive and Halifax-Dartmouth

Peak colour abounds at each end of the Marine Drive. In between, many areas are reporting gorgeous autumn foliage at 50-75 per cent. A great time to get out into autumn.

• Site 49, Stillwater: Refections of hardwood colour abound in the St. Mary's River between Stillwater and Sherbrooke. Have your camera ready.

• Site 58, Laurie Park: Although Laurie Park is closed for the season, park and walk in because the looped trails offer stunning views of Grand Lake. The maples are now in peak colour with their brilliant reds, yellows and oranges. Most of the aspens and birch have yet to turn and they'll steal the show after the maples are spent.

• Site 59, Mount Uniacke: Whether you are strolling along the historic Old Post Road or hiking the scenic trails at Mount Uniacke Estate Museum Park, you'll be rewarded by glorious hardwoods, now 50-75 per cent in fall colour.

• Site 50 Liscomb Mills: No matter what direction you take, the route to Liscombe Lodge is in glorious autumn colour. Once there, follow the trail to the hanging bridge where recent rains add to the spectacle of a 20-metre waterfall that thunders under a canopy of evergreens.

• Site 56, Elderbank: Marvel at the spectacle of autumn as you travel along Highway 357 to Elderbank, now 50 per cent in autumn colour. Winding your way through the valley, there are places where the distant hardwoods are reflected in the lazy Musquodoboit River and others where the colour is close enough to touch.

Explore the lighthouse and historic houses or take a nature or history tour, it's all part of Fall Foliage Foray hosted by Friends of McNabs Island Society. The ferry departs at 10 a.m., Sunday, Oct. 17, from Cable Wharf in Halifax. Bring lunch, drinking water and sturdy footwear. Ferry fee applies.

Transform leaves into butterflies, lions, owls, or mice with designer David Carter at the Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History on Saturday, Nov. 6, from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Call 902-424-3563 to register for the Animal Leaf Workshop. Fee is $5.

Catch the Atlantic Winter Fair at the Exhibition Park, Oct. 15-17. It's fun for the whole family.

REGION 5: Lighthouse Route

Leaf watchers are reporting brilliant colour throughout the Lighthouse Route whether it is at peak or only at 30 per cent. Bring your camera and lots of film because you won't be disappointed.

• Site 64, Mahone Bay: Glowing colours of red, pink, orange and yellow in the trees surround the town's three waterfront churches and are a stunning addition to picture-perfect Mahone Bay. Although only 30 per cent of leaves have turned, their brilliance takes your breath away.

• Near Site 64, First Peninsula: While visiting Mahone Bay, take a trip to First Peninsula where autumn blazes at 50-75 per cent. Look across the harbour to a panoramic view of the historic town of Lunenburg decorated in a wild array of reds, yellows and oranges.

• Site 69, Milton: Milton is a collection of postcards: the old Blacksmith shop framed by brilliant hardwoods, reflections of crimson red, yellow and orange in the calm waters above the dam, a rippling river flanked by peak colour...autumn at its best.

• Site 71, Sable River: The forest is alive with colour. The red and orange of the maples are at peak along the highway between Sable River and Jordan. See the display of the most beautiful colours that our autumn season has to offer. It's a photographer's delight!

• Site 72, Sandy Point: Savour the picturesque view of hardwood hills in autumn glory across Shelburne Harbour from the balcony at Sandy Point Lighthouse Community Centre. Then step inside and enjoy the delights of a full, cooked breakfast on Saturday, Oct. 16, between 8 a.m. and noon.

Come to the New Ross Craft Fair's Year of Wildlife and Wood on Saturday, Oct. 16, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the New Ross Consolidated School. Enjoy the large variety of crafts, baked goods and woodcarving demonstrations.

Autumn Leaf Watch highlights are on the web at explore.gov.ns.ca/leaf and on the North American toll-free Leaf Line at 1-877-353-5323 (LEAF).

For additional information, call Autumn Leaf Watch at 902-424- 3727.