NORTHWEST ARKANSAS — The yellow, red, orange, gold and burgundy of fall foliage might seem magical, but the explanation for when and how those vibrant colors happen is pure science.
Dan Skoff, chief meteorologist for KNWA-TV, says ideal conditions for great autumn leavesrequire mild afternoons followed by nights in the upper 30s and low 40s.
When it’s sunny and warm, leaves continue to manufacture nutrients, he explains. When the nights are cool, these sugars remain in the leaves instead of being passed through the stem and into the tree. That’s what createsmuch of the color fans of fall love to see.
The Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism keeps observers up to date on the best of fall color with a website, www.arkansas.com/ fall-foliage.
“We do a fall foliage update every Thursday evening around 4:30 to keep people posted onthe best fall foliage sites,” says spokeswoman Anna Mitchell.
The website also includes suggestions for scenic drives, some of which appear here.
This weekend may be the last chance for fall color, Skoff warns.
He expects a hard freeze.
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SCENIC ROUTE TO PONCA
INFO - Leave the Harrison square heading south on Arkansas 7. Turn right on Arkansas 43 toward Compton and Ponca. At Ponca, turn left on Arkansas 74, cross the Buffalo National River and take 74 to Jasper. Circle the tiny square and head north to Harrison via Scenic Arkansas 7.
BEGINNING - On the Harrison square
VIEWS - Five miles out of Harrison you’ll climb Gaither Mountain. Stop at the overlook (on the left) when you reach the summit for one of the best views of the Harrison area. The three mile descent into Ponca offers spectacular views off the right side of your car. As you pass through Ponca, be sure to look for elk in the fi eld just before you turn left on Arkansas 74. Just before Scenic 7 sharply twists its way down to Jasper, stop at the Cliff House Inn and Restaurant, for a great meal and amazing vistas of the “Grand Canyon of the Ozarks.” You’ll cross the Buffalo again at Pruitt, and the bluff on the left side of the road might just surprise you.
FOOD & AMENITIES - A quaint small town square boasting several antique shops awaits visitors at Jasper. Across from the Newton County Courthouse is a legendary diner, theOzark Cafe. Originally opened in 1909, it is, as the sign on the front says, “A North Arkansas Landmark.” It’s a place where swapping stories over cups of coffee is as important to the locals as getting a good plate of inexpensive food.
END - Harrison
DISTANCE - 62 miles (roundtrip)
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OZARK HIGHLANDS SCENIC BYWAY
INFO - The Ozark Highlands Scenic Byway passes through a rugged section of the Boston Mountains where fi ve important recreational streams begin: the White, a world-class trout stream; the Buffalo, the country’s first national river; the Kings and the Mulberry rivers;
and Big Piney Creek.
BEGINNING - Begin north of Clarksville as Arkansas 21 crosses the southern boundary of the Ozark National Forest.
VIEWS - The byway crosses the 165-mile Ozark Highlands Trail, a hiking and camping trail that travels through the Ozark National Forest to the Buffalo National River.
FOOD & AMENITIES - Shopping, lodging and dining are available to the south at Clarksville and to the north at Jasper.
Lodging is also available at Ponca and Kingston. Camping is available at the Ozone and Haw Creek Falls recreational areas in the Ozark National Forest.
END - Where Arkansas 21 exits the forest near the Buffalo National River.
DISTANCE - 35 miles (one way)
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BOSTON MOUNTAINS SCENIC LOOP
INFO - Two very different roads crossing the highest part of the Ozark Mountainscombine to make the Boston Mountains Scenic Loop. Following aformer stagecoach route, U.S. 71 rises and falls, twists and turns through the mountain landscape, allowing travelers to intimately experience the rugged terrain.
Not far to the west, I-540 defeats the mountains with several soaring bridges and a tunnel.
BEGINNING - Begin in Fayetteville, taking U.S. 71 south to Alma.
VIEWS - Along the way are small mountain towns, roadsidefarms, antique andother shops, and travel courts.
Both routes offer impressive mountain vistas. I-540’s cleared right-of-way is suffi ciently broad to give those traveling 70 m.p.h. a good look atthe countryside;
U.S. 71 offers manylocations to pull off the road and commune with the mountains.
FOOD & AMENITIES - Shopping, lodging and dining are available in Alma at the southern end of the loop and Fayetteville at the north end. Cabins and camping are available near the loop at Devil’s Den State Park and at the White Rock Mountain Recreation Area.
END - Alma
DISTANCE - 80 miles (one way)
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PIG TRAIL SCENIC BYWAY
INFO - The rugged and forested Boston Mountains region of the Ozarks provides the setting for this route, which often runs through a tunnel of foliage during spring, summer and fall.
BEGIN - At the intersection of Arkansas 16 and Arkansas 23 in Brashears, then travel south on Arkansas 23
VIEWS - The route crosses the Mulberry River and the 165-mile Ozark Highlands Trail. Cabins and camping are available on the byway at Turner Bend and nearby at the White Rock Mountain Recreation Area, which offers dramatic views of the surrounding Ozarks from atop the 2,260-foot peak.
FOOD & AMENITIES - Everybody who travels the Pig Trailstops for snacks at Turner Bend. Eureka Springs, close to the northern end of the journey, has scores of restaurants and shops.
Ozark, at the southern terminus, also has community amenities, and Altus, the heart ofArkansas wine country, is another 10 minutes away on U.S. 64.
END - Ozark, just east of the intersection of Arkansas 23 and I-40.
DISTANCE - 29 miles (one way)
Whats Up, Pages 18 on 10/29/2010