The autumn equinox, marking the end of summer and the beginning of fall, is Saturday, Sept. 23. That’s about the same time we’ll start to notice leaves changing colors from green to vibrant yellows, oranges and reds.
Those who enjoy the fall foliage might want to indulge in some leaf-peeping by hiking through the woods, going for a bicycle ride or just taking the scenic route home from work.
Ken Smith, superintendent at Mastodon State Historic Site in Imperial, said he’s not sure if this fall will bring the spectacular fall foliage so many of us look forward to.
“It’s hard to say whether this season will have bright leaves,” he said. “We had so much nice rain over the summer, but then at times, we had super-hot, dry weather. I’m hoping for nice weather this fall.”
To create the ideal fall leaves, the U.S. Forest Service said the perfect mixture of temperature and moisture is needed. As nights become longer in the fall, biochemical processes in the leaves begin to change their color. The color changes depend on the amount of sunlight the leaves get, ground moisture and the weather.
“A succession of warm, sunny days and cool, crisp but not freezing nights seems to bring about the most spectacular color displays,” the government agency said.
Some may remember learning about chlorophyll during their fourth-grade science lessons on photosynthesis. Chlorophyll gives leaves their green color and is continually produced during photosynthesis. Without adequate sunlight in the fall, chlorophyll production slows to a trickle, then stops completely, changing the color of leaves from green to shades of red, orange or yellow.
With Missouri’s recent mercurial summer – whipping wildly from extreme heat to soggy humidity – it’s up in the air whether this fall will produce those vivid autumn leaves. Mark Grueber, a community forester with the Missouri Department of Conservation, said a hot and dry summer is usually bad news for vibrant fall leaves, but late-summer rains can certainly turn things around.
“The hot, dry weather is going to have some impact,” Grueber said. “Leaves may drop early, but that doesn’t mean the whole tree will look that way. If we get rain soon, I think we can see some awesome fall color in those remaining leaves.”
According to the Missouri Department of Conservation website, peak fall color usually occurs around mid-October, when maple, ash, hickory and oak leaves are at their most vibrant. According to the department, color changes usually start in northern and western Missouri, then move southward and eastward.
Right here in Jefferson County, there are a multitude of opportunities to soak up fall colors, according to local experts. But, if the leaves turn out to be a bust this year, Grueber said there’s still a bright side.
“Look, I’m a forester, and of course I love trees, but don’t forget the grasses and gorgeous late-season wildflowers: asters, goldenrods and little bluestems, to name a few.”
Whether it’s by car, bike, hike, or other means, getting outside is crucial for soaking up all fall has to offer.
Go on a hike
Smith said Mastodon State Historic Site, 1050 Charles J. Becker Drive, offers beautiful views of the changing leaves. The site features a museum with information about the mastodon fossils found at the location, plus three trails, a picnic area and a wildflower garden.
Smith said the park has an abundance of oaks, maples and hickories, of which he said, “When you think of fall colors, it’s those hardwood trees you think of.”
He said the Limestone Hill Trail offers spectacular views of Seckman Valley. The trail is a 2-mile loop with rugged terrain and steep grades. Dotted along the trail are picturesque overlooks and bluffs, complete with wooden benches for a quick rest.
The Jefferson County Parks and Recreation Department operates the Pleasant Valley Nature Preserve, 6701 Twin Rivers Road, in unincorporated Eureka. The 40-acre park includes old-growth trees, walking trails, picnic tables and a pavilion.
“If you are focusing on wildlife and natural beauty, you have a good chance to view turkey, white-tail deer, hawks and occasionally a bald eagle,” according to the Jefferson County website.
Go by bike
Andy Held, an avid cyclist and Jefferson County Growth Association member, said the county’s roads offer amazing views for those traveling them by bike.
“What you’ll find when you’re out on two wheels, are a lot of area and landscape that is something you just don’t notice when you’re in a vehicle,” he said. “You have a chance to really get a feel for what the county has to offer as far as scenery. When you crest a hill and see a long straightaway or a windy road, you see all the trees and the fields and the farmland that’s around. It’s just amazing to be able to be out doing that.”
Held said his favorite route to cycle is along Sandy Church Road. He said it’s convenient for cyclists to start their trip at Villa Antonio Winery, 3660 Linhorst Road, in the Hillsboro area and make their way to the Sandy Creek Covered Bridge, 9090 Old Lemay Ferry Road. The round trip is about 9 miles and includes beautiful scenery.
“If you have somebody who’s going to ride from one of the wineries, like Wild Sun (4830 Pioneer Road in the Hillsboro area ) or La Chance (12237 Peter Moore Road in the De Soto area and 6035 Second St. in Kimmswick), or Villa Antonio, the roads getting you to and from are typically very pretty whenever the leaves change,” he said. “You can start and finish (your bike ride) from these wineries, and then you can enjoy the rest of the time at the winery. Come back and you can have lunch and if you prefer you can have a glass of wine and just enjoy the day.”
Held said most roads in Jefferson County are not exactly bicycle-friendly, but if both motorists and cyclists use caution, everyone can share the roads peacefully. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says it’s important to “see and be seen” on the road. Wearing white clothing or sticking fluorescent, reflective tape accents to a bike improves visibility. The agency also does not recommend riding a bike on a public road at night.
“The traffic is one of those things you know as a cyclist, getting out there you have to be conscious of that,” Held said. “You’re part of the traffic and automobiles are traveling along with you. There are no shoulders, typically, but there’s plenty of room to pass. I believe cyclists and automobiles can get along very well when you’re out on the backroads seeing all the scenery.”
Go by car
Don Bollinger, a member of the Jefferson County Tourism Board of Directors, said his favorite place to drive to in the fall is the Anheuser House, 6000 Windsor Harbor Lane, in Kimmswick. The 23-acre estate operated by the city of Kimmswick overlooks the Mississippi River.
“Going up to Kimmswick is a nice drive, going down the old highway (Hwy. 61-67) and then coming into Kimmswick,” Bollinger said. “Stopping at the Anheuser House and overlooking the river is a very scenic place to go, watching the barges coming up and down the river, looking at all the trees.”
Bollinger said another interesting route to take is Hwy. 21 south from Hillsboro to De Soto. He said visiting historic downtown De Soto is a must if you take the trip. On the way back north, he recommends diverting to Hwy. B and heading to Valley View Glades Natural Area off Hillsboro Road. It’s a 225-acre preserve maintained by the Missouri Department of Conservation. The department promises a “breathtaking vista” steps away from the parking lot.
Just south of Festus is Johnson Road, and Bollinger recommends taking it east toward the Rush Island Power Plant for another scenic drive. At the end of the route and adjacent to the power plant is Harry S Truman Park and River Access.
“That’s always a nice, scenic drive which overlooks the river and lots of fall foliage out there as well,” he said.
Bollinger said the Jefferson County Tourism Commission has multiple scenic routes available on its website, jcgamo.org/Jefferson-county-tourism-commission. Each route has an interactive map that can be downloaded to a mobile device. Directions are also included.
“Sometimes people don’t realize, even if they’re right under their nose, things like historic downtown De Soto and historic downtown Kimmswick, all of the great things we have going on,” he said. “We wanted to give them a venue to go right from their phone and be able to see what’s going on in the county, what’s available in the county.”