By Susan Elderkin


Washington Trails Association (www.wat.org)


ASHINGTON’S DIVERSITY OF


flora in the mountains makes for a spectacular fall color display – from the deep reds of vine maple on the western slopes to the golden yellow of alpine larches in the east. But


that’s not all that makes the hillsides light up in autumn - we have fiery oranges of huckleberry shrubs, brilliant yellows of the aspens, and pretty reds from a variety of different berries - often against a backdrop of crisp blue sky.


Te cooler weather and shorter days of autumn also


bring an increase in wildlife activity, as animals busy themselves gathering food and storing up calories for the long, sleepy winter. Songbirds are seen in much greater numbers, as they ditch their breeding territories and become friends again, flocking together to prepare for migration. So pack an extra fleece, your camera and a thermos of


hot chocolate or spiced cider, and get ready to fill your lungs with cool, crisp autumn air and take in a wonderful palette of Washington’s fall color.


32 WA WASHINGTON MAGAZINE Fall 2011 www.WAstatemag.com


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68