LONGMIRE The classic image of the snoozing volcano that looms ominously yet elegantly over us all in the Puget Sound region is one of a massive, snow-capped peak of white.<
But it's a different scene when you take an up-close look at Mount Rainier's 14,411 feet in autumn 2003.
The symbol of everything wild and untamable in the Northwest is blazing with scarlets, yellows, purples and browns.
By Greg Johnston | October 9, 2003
Short Trips
LEAVENWORTH This town in north-central Washington is always a fun destination, no matter what time of year. But for a Bavarian-theme town like Leavenworth, Oktoberfest takes on special significance. This year's beer festival, which begins Oct. 3, is set to be bigger and better than ever.
Last year in Munich, Germany, 5.8 million people showed up for the annual Oktoberfest celebration and gulped down 5.7 million liters of beer during the two-week celebration. Apparently that's why Munich calls its Oktoberfest the world's largest beer festival.
By Jeff Larsen | October 2, 2003
Take a Walk
Location: Snohomish County.
Length: Less than 1/8-mile round trip.
Level of difficulty: Level-to-gentle paved trail (wheelchair-accessible).
By Cathy McDonald | November 7, 2002
Take a day, better yet take two days, and head for the hills for fall colors.
Specifically, steer yourself over Stevens Pass and onto the downslope of Highway 2 to the 10-mile long Tumwater Canyon, west of Leavenworth, where the leaves put on a show.
Vine maple, cottonwoods and aspen glow red and gold along the highway as it winds through the mountainous canyon and alongside the Wenatchee River. You also may be lucky enough to see another natural show the silvery flashes of fall-run chinook salmon.
By Kristin Jackson | October 10, 2002
Position your car (or bicycle) at the northern entrance to Seattle's Washington Park Arboretum and prepare for a lovely, in-city ride. Use Lake Washington Boulevard as your route south to Seward Park, about 15 miles.
The Arboretum ought to provide enough color of its own to keep you busy all day to say nothing of the Japanese Garden near its southern border, a must see. You can take the upper or lower roads (or both) for good fall viewing.
By Terry Tazioli | October 10, 2002
The "Sunday drive" is an institution made for fall, when nature's palette suddenly goes eccentric and roadside leaves take on jewelry-shop colors like ruby red and burnished gold. October is the peak month for Northwest road trips. Here is one of our favorites.
By Carol Pucci
Seattle Times travel writer
By Carol Pucci | October 10, 2002
Tonga Ridge in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness near Skykomish is an ideal hike for fall colors, blue huckleberries and mountain scenery.
By Karen Sykes | September 26, 2002
"Oh!"
It was the gasp of the connoisseur confronted with perfection.
"The tupelos," said Sarah Skamser, horticulture instructor at South Seattle Community College. "They're just starting to turn!"
In no time, "they'll be a shocking red," Skamser added as she drove her small Nissan through the Washington Park Arboretum, accompanied by a reporter, fellow college instructor Van Bobbitt and a king-size black dog, Max, who panted heavily and looked out the window, too.
By Nancy Bartley | October 11, 2001
· Norwegian and red maples early color
· Liquid amber mid-October
· Black walnut early color
· Larch late color
· Dogwood midseason
· Golden rain tree early to midseason
· Sumac late in season
· Kwansan cherry midseason
· Flame ash midseason
University of Washington
· Wide variety of deciduous trees turning throughout the season; pick up a tree guide at campus kiosk.
Seattle Pacific University
October 11, 2001
Autumn's colors of yellow, orange and red enliven nature's greenery among the hills, streams, waterfalls and ponds this month at Seattle's Kubota Garden Park, making it a prime destination for a half-day outing.
By Madeline McKenzie | October 11, 2001
