Corrected News Release: Oct. 26, 2007
Leslie Fitzwater, Public Information Specialist, (304) 558-2003 ext. 342, lfitzwater@wvcommerce.org
Note: U.S. Route 119 was inaccurately identified as U.S. Route 219 in release dated Oct. 25
Array of Fall Color in Central and Southwestern West Virginia
CHARLESTON, W.Va. –This week’s fall foliage spotlight moves to West Virginia’s central and southwestern counties where leaves range from mid-peak to near-peak coloration. Most areas of the state have received much-needed rainfall this past week that contributed to some leaf drop, but foresters say there is still an abundance of fall color.
“Braxton, Clay, Lewis and Upshur counties should be the best bet for peak color this coming weekend, Oct. 27-28,” Forestry Specialist Bob McBride said from his office in Beckley. “Last weekend’s color in the state’s southeastern counties was as good as I have ever seen.”
Division of Forestry personnel recommend the following routes and points of interest:
- Drive Interstate 79 through Clay, Braxton and Lewis counties where foliage is currently 75 percent peak and expected to be near 100 percent peak by the weekend.
- Foresters recommend Clay County’s W.Va. Route 4 along the Elk River; W.Va. Route 4 from Ireland to French Creek in Upshur; and U.S. Route 119 in Lewis.
- McDowell County foliage is expected to peak by the weekend. U.S. Route 52 is the recommended drive.
- Interstate 77 from Jackson County to Raleigh County is a colorful drive with foliage at 70 percent peak color.
- Ritchie and Wood counties are reported to be at 65 percent peak color. W.Va. Route 2 from Parkersburg to Wheeling, W.Va. Route 47 from Parkersburg to Weston and U.S. Route 50 from Parkersburg to Clarksburg are all recommended.
- W.Va. Route 99 from Boone County to Bolt in Raleigh County is recommended.
- In Mason and Putnam counties, take W.Va. Route 62 between Red House and Point Pleasant. Foliage there is reported to be at 50 percent peak.
Foresters report that colorful foliage can still be found in the Northern and Eastern Panhandles and recommend these routes and points of interest:
- W.Va. Route 230 in Jefferson County is reported to be at 90 percent peak from Shepherdstown to Charles Town.
- Berkeley County’s George Washington Heritage Trail is at 90 percent peak color.
- W.Va. Route 9 from Paw Paw towards Great Cacapon continues to be colorful.
- Oaks and poplars are showing quite a bit of yellow along Hampshire County’s W.Va. Routes 29 and 127.
- The Northern Panhandle counties, Hancock, Brooke, Ohio and Marshall, are at 90 percent peak color. The recommend drive in Marshall County is U.S. Route 250.
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