Oregon Fall Foliage Update 11/21/2014

This week marks the last Oregon Fall Foliage Update of the season. While the warm September tested our patience by delaying the color change, it was well worth the wait. The explosion of autumnal splendor lasted almost until Thanksgiving. And we couldn’t have told the fall story without you. Your pictures helped us show readers that some of Oregon’s finest and most breathtaking moments come with the change of the seasons. As we bid adieu to fall, let’s welcome in winter with these last-minute leaf peeping ideas and holiday-themed festivities.

Mount Pisgah by Greg Vaughn

Eugene, Cascades & Coast
In Eugene, and spanning to the Cascades and coastal regions, beautiful fall colors continue to glow. Leaves are on trees, but now the color coat has doubled as they also speckle the ground.

There’s no better way to transition into winter than by holiday shopping at the Eugene Saturday Market’s Holiday Market, which runs through Christmas eve. Find locally-made, one-of-a-kind gifts from more than 300 booths staffed by the artists or their family members.

Spot late foliage on the vineyards while you celebrate Thanksgiving on the Territorial Thanksgiving Wine Trail. Enjoy the South Willamette Valley’s beautiful views from the tasting rooms as you listen to live music, taste wonderful foods, and sample award-winning wines.

If the meal is on your mind, there’s still plenty of time to secure your Thanksgiving dinner plans. Visit our Thanksgiving Dinner page to find a restaurant open on the holiday or one that offers a pre-made meal for you to enjoy at home.

The holidays aren’t the holidays without the lights. There’s no better place to experience glowing displays than at the Village Green Resort and Gardens, in the All-America City of Cottage Grove. Join them next weekend for Thanksgiving Dinner, and stay for their spectacular display of Christmas lights! Every Friday, starting November 28 and ending the day after Christmas, the resort will have weekly showings of festive movies. Toast s’mores over an open fire, sip a hot beverage, and remind yourself what this time of year is all about.

Oregon Coast
The Oregon Coast is ringing in the holiday season with all things festive and fun! Local artists will display their wares at the Waldport Holiday Market, happening now through December 20. Experience the Yachats Winter Celebration, kicking off Thanksgiving Day with various feasts and activities. In Seaside, the Chamber of Commerce hosts their 30^th Annual Holiday Gift Fair in conjunction with the Parade of Lights. Santa will be there and so will Frosty the Snowman, as well as a parade of elves! After the parade, unwind from the glitz of a million LEDs with Gingerbread Tea at the Butterfield Cottage every Saturday from now until December 20, no reservations needed.

Christopher Bridge Cellars in Oregon City, Image credit: Christopher Bridge

Willamette Valley
One of the best things about cold weather is finding comfort in well-made clothing. Melting into a hug from your favorite sweater, wrapping yourself in the embrace of a soft blanket, the feeling of warmth that insulated gloves provided to chilly hands, these are things that make us smile. Now through the end of January, Willamette Heritage Center in Salem presents From the Sheep’s Back to Yours: Pendleton Blankets, an Oregon Tradition. Find a brilliant array of fall colored textiles at this exhibit, featuring more than 20 rarely displayed pieces of Pendleton product from the museum’s collection. While in Salem, treat yourself to an award-winning Sunday Brunch at Orchard Heights Winery.

Greater Portland
Rain is in the forecast, but that shouldn’t stop you from getting one last glimpse at fall color. Visit Portland’s Laurelhurst Park. The paved path that winds through the park and borders the pond is littered with yellow leaves, so take a stroll, and break bread with the ducks that live there. Thanksgiving is fast approaching, and you can celebrate its passing with a self-guided tour of Washington County’s Wine Country. Over seventeen wineries will participate in the 30^th Annual Thanksgiving Wine Weekend in Cornelius.

Mt. Hood/ The Gorge
Fall foliage is out, but the mountains are gearing up for their prime. Get a jump on holiday shopping for the snow junkies in your life and visit the retail shops at Mt. Hood Meadows. Keep a beat on the weather forecast, and check the website for road closures as the season progresses.

Bend by kellywear via Instagram

Central Oregon
Snow has arrived, ushering out the fall color with a cold coat of white. For a hybrid of seasonal experience, go back to Bend’s Drake Park. Though completely affected by last weekend’s mini blizzard, the orange of birch trees continue to shine on in vivid contrast. Wear layers, and prepare yourself for the elements at hand.

Eastern Oregon
Eastern Oregon has entered into winter weather. It is cold and snowy in Baker City, so do something active to stay warm! Get your blood pumping and sign up for the 11^th Annual Turkey Trot, a 5K run/walk to feed the hungry. After the run, visit the fabulous Geiser Grand Hotel. Treat your family to the best, and join the hotel for their eye-popping Thanksgiving feast.

Ashland by rhodebot via Instagram

Southern Oregon
The weather is dreary in Southern Oregon. Liven up your gray day with a visit to DANCIN Vineyards in Medford, where dots of bright fall color can still be discovered. Imbibe with an exquisite pinot noir as you walk the yards, or join in on the Salinity Salt Tasting, offered this Saturday from noon to 2 p.m. In Ashland, the Rotary Centennial Ice Rink is now open for the season. Lace up your skates and hit the slick! This fun family activity is an excellent prelude to the 22^nd Annual Festival of Lights, which will commence with a parade the day after Thanksgiving.

Oregon Fall Foliage Update 11/14/2014

While it may be late fall, the first “winter” storm of the season walloped much of the state this week, bringing rain, ice, snow, and wind and knocking many leaves off of the trees. Please check local forecasts and road conditions before you head out on a fall adventure.

Eugene by Instagrammer jamiecongedo

Eugene, Cascades & Coast
Eugene escaped the brunt of the storm with just a whole lot of rain, nothing a good pair of rubber boots and a waterproof coat can’t help. The Ruth Bascom Riverbank Path offers a scenic, tranquil setting for Eugene’s cyclists and pedestrians any time of the year. Now, in the prime of our fall season, the path has become a portal to a warmly colored wonderland. Take this path, and allow it to lead you towards Delta Ponds. This protected wildlife area is a delicate habitat for many fragile species, with 150 acres of land housing more than 100 species of birds, numerous fish, and western pond turtles. The path is wheelchair accessible, and there are several places to park along Goodpasture Island Road.

The corridors of Highway 126 beg to be noticed. Driving toward the coast, roads are lined with ashy purples, brilliants tufts of flaming yellow, and lush, evergreen grass. The leaves have started to fall, and their color lends a lovely temporary coat to the ground. Even in misty rain, this drive is undeniably charming. Please note that McKenzie Pass (Hwy 242) has closed for the season. As always, check with TripCheck.com for road conditions before you head out.

McMinnville by doublemdesignandphotography

Oregon Coast
Mushrooms are running rampant on the Oregon Coast. Join fungi aficionados in Astoria and hunt for hearty edibles, such as chanterelles, king boletes, and lobster mushrooms. These guided tours are free, but you’ll need to bring your own basket for carrying home the day’s harvest. For fall color and a peek at some wildlife, visit Dean Creek Elk Preserve just outside of Reedsport. This viewing area is a year round residence for a large herd of Roosevelt elk and is located on Oregon’s scenic Route 38.

Willamette Valley
Embark on a moderate hike through the woods when you visit Peavey Arboretum in Corvallis. This 40 acre park, cared for by Oregon State University, is home to more than 100 different species of native and exotic plant life, and features a variety of pine, fir, and maple trees. Scout for fall color, but beware of poison oak on this four mile loop trail. In Molalla, hikers and horseback riders alike will enjoy the abundant wildlife and colorful displays of the Table Rock Wilderness area. Bring binoculars and a camera to savor these beautiful views.

Downtown Portland by Derek Walker

Greater Portland
The streets of Portland are currently colored like an autumnal dreamscape. Cathedral Park, under the haunting gothic arches of the St. Johns Bridge, contributes to this with polka dots of freshly yellow trees. Set on the east bank of the Willamette River, the park offers walking trails and picnic benches for taking in the scene. In southeast Portland, walk the streets of Ladd’s Addition, an eight by ten block neighborhood of immaculate homes plotted on diagonal streets, lined entirely with American elm trees.

Mt. Hood/ The Gorge
Snow and ice blanketed the higher elevations of the Mt. Hood/ The Gorge area this week. However, brilliant golds and oranges can still be found in the lower elevations. Your best bet is around the Molalla River Recreation Area.

Central Oregon
Fall colors have been replaced by fluffy, white, snow in Central Oregon. Stay inside and get a head start on holiday shopping at the Bend Local Holiday Bazaar.

Eastern Oregon
Take a walk down Main Street in Baker City, where people are friendly and trees are fabulously fall-ish. Snow has arrived, and more is on its way. Perhaps this is a good weekend to squeeze in a relaxing game of golf. Quail Ridge Golf Club is a beautiful 18-hole, par-70 course set at the base of the Blue Mountains in Eastern Oregon. Play the green while taking in the color of the season.

Southern Oregon
Our Indian summer may have officially come to pass, but in the Southern Oregon town of Merlin, leaf hunters can still enjoy the colorful warmth from trees that inhabit Indian Mary Park. Explore the park’s 61 acres, or find a great place to fish on the banks of the Rogue River. In Ashland, get a taste of the community when you check out the Tuesday Market. Here, you can shop for the finest in locally grown produce, and specialty foods from a variety of mobile kitchens. The season is wrapping up, so don’t miss out!

Oregon Fall Foliage Update 11/7/2014

Downtown Eugene by Brian Davies

Eugene, Cascades & Coast
Every tree, everywhere, is in full fall bloom. The Pacific Northwest is spoiling us with all of this brilliant color, soon to become a beautiful autumn memory. The banks of the Willamette River, landscapes seen from car windows while cruising down the highway, views from Mount Pisgah, Spencer and Skinner Butte, all resemble a box of crayons. Color your day “fall wonderful” and explore Dorris Ranch Living History Farm in Springfield. The season has painted this riparian hazelnut orchard in bold shades of yellow and gold. Rain or shine, the paved Middle Fork Path path offers a pleasant walk from Dorris Ranch to Clearwater Park.

Portland Japanese Garden by Instagrammer upperleftusa

Bring the kids to the 7^th Annual Play in the Rain Day at Mount Pisgah Arboretum. Learn about outdoor adventures for kids and get inspired to play year-round. Activities include tree-climbing, nature crafts, hikes, hay rides, campfire cookery, native plants, archery, a visit from Smokey the Bear and much more! Parking and all activities, including campfire food, are free.

The holiday season is upon us! In Eugene this weekend, Valley River Inn will host the Annual Oregon Handmade Holiday Market featuring 30 local Etsy.com vendors.

Oregon Coast
Alfred A. Loeb State Park in Brookings is a great destination for those hoping to arrange one final camping trip before unfavorable weather conditions takeover the forecast. Enjoy the colors of fall as you relax by a fire or fish from the banks of the Chetco River, all the while indulging in the scent of surrounding myrtlewood trees. In Coos Bay, Shore Acres State Park, off of Cape Arago Highway, is looking fall fabulous, so be sure to include it on your weekend itinerary. For North Coast dwellers, Cannon Beach is hosting its 27^th Annual Stormy Weather Arts Festival. During this three day event, the city’s galleries will present special exhibits, artist demonstrations, and host receptions for their guest artists. Check it out!

View from The Kitchen at Middleground Farms by Oregon’s Mt. Hood Territory

Willamette Valley
In Corvallis, take a stroll through the grounds of Oregon State University, where the weather is cool and the trees are on fire. Visit Salem, our state’s capital city, and wander around the campus of Willamette University. The historic brick buildings are picturesque with the seasonal backdrop of gold and yellow.

Greater Portland
In Portland, make the trip to Washington Park. This beautiful lookout point, located at the top of Skyline Boulevard, is surrounded by historic neighborhoods with well kept yards, and offers nearly instant access to a bevy of recreational hot spots. From here, you can easily visit the Portland Japanese Garden, the International Rose Test Garden, and Hoyt Arboretum. Ride the novelty train through the park from the Oregon Zoo, or stop by the World Forestry Center. Washington Park is sure to have something for everyone. If traipsing this urban paradise leaves you feeling hungry, check out the Beaverton Saturday Farmers Market, featuring local food, produce, and craft vendors.

Multnomah Falls by Instagrammer patrickernest

Mt. Hood/ The Gorge
For great fall color, the Columbia Gorge has a variety of hikes and scenic viewpoints to choose from. One option is Horsetail Falls, a 2.6 mile loop trail located off of the Historic Columbia River Highway. This easily accessible waterfall is flanked by brilliant yellow aspen trees in a tranquil forest setting. Bridal Veil Falls is another excellent viewpoint for color, also located off of this highway. For more of a challenge and an excellent payoff, try Angel’s Rest, a 4.5 mile hike with a 1,800 foot elevation gain. Trek through a fern-filled forest to reach the summit, which overlooks Beacon Rock, and Silver Star Mountain.

Central Oregon
Snow, and other dangerous weather conditions set in fairly quickly after fall gets started. As a result, many state parks and trailheads experience closures after October. Perhaps this is the weekend for a drive on one of Central Oregon’s scenic byways. Take a ride on the McKenzie Pass – Santiam Pass Scenic Byway, a potential three to five hours of cruising that could take you through Mount Washington Wilderness, the Three Sisters area, and over the Santiam Wagon Road Trail. Make a pit stop at Sahalie and Koosah Falls, or on the other side, Proxy Falls. There are colors abound! Get out and catch them.

Lithia Park in Ashland by Bill Langton

Eastern Oregon
For an incredible adventure in fall foliage, spend some time soaking in the Alvord Hot Springs. Set in the Oregon high desert at an elevation of over 4,000 feet, this remote location is open year round and offers immaculate views of Steens Mountain and all of its seasonal glory. The springs are more than 100 miles southeast of Burns. Remodeled in 2013, the springs feature a public parking lot, bathrooms, and even a small general store. Be ready to pay a $5 day use fee for this experience. In La Grande, check out the Nightingale Gallery’s 27^th Annual Season’s Faire Exhibit. Now through December 6^th, this exhibit will house the work of over thirty artists competing for a $1,000 prize! Support the arts if you’re in town.

Southern Oregon
Ashland’s Lithia Park is all sorts of spectacular. Trees may have reached their peak earlier in the week, but for now, colors are still blazing brightly. Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge in Lakeview features a beautifully turned aspen forest and is home to several species of wildlife. Bring binoculars to help put these native plants and animals into focus. Outdoor marketplaces will soon retire for the season, so if you’re passing through Grants Pass on a Saturday morning, pull over for a showcase of the finest produce, specialty gourmet foods, and crafts from local artists. The Grants Pass Growers Market is second only to the Rogue River as one of the area’s greatest attractions. Plan a trip before November ends, or you’ll have to wait until next year.