How2Day: North Shore Minnesota Fall Foliage Colors

The North Shore in Minnesota comes alive with autumn hues, twice. Jupiterimages/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images
Two waves of brilliant fall color hit the North Shore region of Minnesota, the area along the northwestern banks of Lake Superior. Extreme variations in temperatures between the lake's shoreline and the inland mountainous area result in two foliage seasons. Trees in inland areas change color first, starting in mid-September and lasting until early October. The lakeshore area experiences fall foliage as part of the second wave, beginning in late September and lasting until the middle of October.

The spectacular fall foliage in Minnesota's North Shore region comes from a variety of deciduous trees. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources notes that maples, such as sugar maple and red maple, are common to the North Shore region. The region is also home to several ash trees including black ash, green ash and American ash, along with aspens such as quaking aspen and big-tooth aspen.

Sugar maples yield brilliant shades of red, yellow and orange during the fall. The fall foliage of red maple trees also ranges in color including orange, red, yellow and orange-red. Many ash trees have been cleared out in an attempt to control the emerald ash borer parasite epidemic (which wreaks havoc on trees) but the North Shore region still has quite a few ash trees left.

Black ash foliage changes from a medium green to a dusty yellow; green ash transforms into hues of gold and white ash turns yellow and maroon. The leaves of aspen trees such as the big-tooth and quaking aspen turn to a vibrant yellow while the northern red oak trees range in colors ranging from yellowish brown to bright crimson.

View early foliage beginning in September and lasting until early October. In Lake County, take the 30 mile driving tour from Two Harbors to Beaver Bay Drive or the 16 mile drive from Beaver Bay to Ilgen City Drive. Heartbreak Ridge, in Cook County, features breathtaking early foliage as you drive through a canopy of maple trees.

The North Shore Mountain Tramway ride takes you across the Poplar River Valley and up Moose Mountain in a gondola. Take in the splendor of maple, birch and aspen on the Pike Lake Loop or travels to the Pincushion Mountain Overlook for views of the foliage and Lake Superior.

The second wave of foliage begins in early October and lasts through late October. In Lake County, take an 8 1/2 mile hike from Gooseberry Falls to Castle Danger; stop at Mike's Rock, Crow Creek Valley or Wolf Rock overlook to catch views of the foliage, Gooseberry River and surrounding area.

Alternatively, take a shorter, 1 /1/2 mile hike along Gooseberry Fifth Falls Trail which passes along the east banks of the Gooseberry River. Relax while viewing the scenery on one of the Fall Colors Cruises offered by North House Folk School or drive along highway 61 to climb and descend Mount Josephine.

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