OSWEGO COUNTY – The first frosty morning is a wake up call for those inclined to savor the kaleidoscope of colors that appear in the forests of Oswego County’s northern region.
Timing is everything as the wave of brilliant reds, yellows and oranges make its way down from the county’s highest elevations on Tug Hill, across the rolling foothills, and down to the shore of Lake Ontario.
Here are a few suggested spots to visit across the area, places of quiet beauty, where one can enjoy the sound of the wind rustling through the brilliant foliage, and enjoy the sights of autumn while the brief season of peak color passes through.
The highest point of elevation in Oswego County lies in the Town of Redfield, a rolling, forested land criss crossed by creeks and deep ravines. With points reaching 1200 feet above sea level, cool nights arrive early, and this portion of Oswego County will see the peak of fall color first.
A trip east on County Rt. 2 will allow viewers to observe the change of color as the road climbs up gradually higher and closer to the core forest of Tug Hill.
A visit to the Hamlet of Redfield brings peepers to the east end of the seven mile long Upper Salmon River Reservoir, a fantastic vantage point to enjoy the brightly colored hardwoods that line the lake’s rocky shores.
At a slightly lower elevation, so therefore changing a little later, Chateaugay State Forest offers a variety of hiking trails as well as a truck trail for those wishing to get themselves deep into the foliage. Located on County Rt.2 just east of the hamlet of Orwell, this bucolic forest provides quick access to the many hues of Autumn with terrain that is not too challenging, yet sublime.
Just east of the Village of Parish, accessed by a short drive east along State Rt. 104, lies the quiet woodland of Happy Valley Wildlife Management Area. This fairly level forested area is home to a network of dirt roads leading visitors to a forgotten community laced with small ponds and creeks. Sugar Maple, Beech, and Yellow Birch are a few of the species that brighten the view in these quiet woods.
Following the Salmon River Corridor along State Rt. 13, it is often possible to observe the warming effect of the water, as trees closer to the river delay their change and remain green just a little longer than those farther from the banks. This insulating effect will also delay the change of color along the shore of Lake Ontario, allowing procrastinating peepers to find a little color late in the season.
Selkirk Shores State Park, located along State Rt. 3 just south of Port Ontario is blessed with a winding trail system and spectacular overlooks graced with trees that lose their colored leaves to the gales of autumn blowing in from the restless lake.
Wherever you find your own perfect place to enjoy the colors of the season, please observe social distancing suggestions, and remember to leave no trace. The time of peak color can be brief, so don’t wait too long to enjoy this unique time of the year. Brightly colored foliage can be blown to the ground in just one windy day, leaving just a memory of the trees in their autumn glory.
