For all of its reputations and stereotypes, Jefferson County probably does not get enough credit for its glories. Back roads and byways throughout the area offer some outstanding fall color displays this time of year.
A few weeks ago, I wrote about the parks and places where you can sample spectacular views while on foot, but I neglected to mention that getting there can be almost as magnificent and may even improve if you find yourself lost on the way.
This is not meant as a ranking because the beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but Jefferson County has some great places for a Sunday drive, which can be as impressive any day of the week depending on your schedule and Mother Nature progress on changing the hues.
“The old highway” route along the county’s eastern border has its moments from Imperial to Festus, but it really exemplifies a colorful country drive when Highway 61 splits from Hwy. 67 south of Crystal City and heads toward Bloomsdale. Its wide shoulders are accommodating for all drivers, but for those with a sense of adventure and little concern for curves, a right turn on Plattin Road, just past Mercy Hospital Jefferson offers forested hills and wide farmland valleys for some great scenery toward De Soto.
Hwy. 110 provides a nice straight shot to the county’s railroad town, but a couple of options further south provide better views. Flucom Road does have a bit of obvious development at both ends between Hwy. 67 and the city. The other option for the same destination, Hwy. V, makes for a longer trip, but the payoff is a winding ride along the upper end of Joachim Creek.
Several options go from the southern center of Jefferson County to its western border, and the 20-plus mile trek of Hwy. Y exposes some interesting landmarks, like the Luckey Cemetery and Grandview High School. A few sharp turns and undulating hills will keep the driver’s attention, but passengers will enjoy the route.
Byrnesville Road from Cedar Hill to House Springs is a great trip past Don Robinson State Park and the county’s skate park. It is accessible from Hwy. NN north of Hwy. 30, and though it may not provide much for fall color, the Gil Schroeder Sod Farm is an impressive piece of landscape.
Most of Hwy. MM has more development than expansive views, but Hillsboro-House Springs Road connects those to communities through a pretty rural stretch all the way back to Hwy. 21. That relatively new four-lane road cuts through high hills and long valleys with plenty of natural scenery. The same can be said for new Hwy. M from Otto to Barnhart.
The color show in the county has a lot to offer once the trees begin their annual transition from dark green to yellow, red, orange and purple.
The state Department of Conservation provides an online tracker at mdc.mo.gov/fallcolor. Updates include information on which tree and brush species are displaying the most color in eight different regions of the state. Jefferson County is at the southern edge of the St. Louis area, so we may also be able to glean some information from the southeast section. The link gets updated each week until November.
As a result of the diminishing amount of daily sunlight, the deciduous trees in our yards and forests are beginning to make less chlorophyll allowing colors other than green to show through. Some of the earliest turners have already started the transition, and you can begin to see yellow and other shades among the tree leaves.
Sassafras, sumac, and Virginia creeper are among the first to change in mid-September. In late September, black gum, bittersweet, and dogwood are turning, said Russell Hinnah, state supervisor for forestry field programs. Trees like maple, ash, oak, and hickory are at the peak of their fall display by the middle of October.
John Winkelman has been writing about outdoors news and issues in Jefferson County for more than 30 years and was the Associate Editor for Outdoor Guide Magazine. If you have story ideas for the Leader outdoor news page, e-mail ogmjohnw@aol.com, and you can find more outdoor news and updates at johnjwink.com.