Fall foliage will approach its peak in Berks in mid-October

Lisa Scheid, Reading Eagle, Pa.
·4 min read

Sep. 24—Fall foliage in Berks County will approach its peak the week of Oct. 20, according to Rick Hartlieb, assistant district forester for the William Penn Forest District.

And it should be a colorful display — if Mother Nature cooperates.

"The trees have not been stressed by summer drought," Hartlieb said.

The stress of summer drought can cause trees to drop their leaves prematurely or start color production early. When that happens, color is reduced during the peak of the season. Cold and sunny days in the fall can make colors more intense, while rainy, windy weather in autumn can diminish the peak color days.

According to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, three factors influence autumn color — leaf pigments, length of night and weather. The timing of color change and leaf fall are primarily regulated by the increasing length of night.

Hartlieb is a Berks County native and Robesonia resident who oversees nine counties of state forests in southeastern Pennsylvania, including Berks, and a team of five foresters.

Beginning Thursday, weekly fall foliage reports can be found online on the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation of Natural Resources (DCNR) website and will be updated every week: https://bit.ly/3Czho5m.

There is always something to appreciate when leaves turn colors in the fall, whether its in your backyard, in a community park or reflected off a favorite pond.

Pennsylvania's deciduous forests' fall foliage season is longer and more varied than that of any other state and one of few similar displays in the world, according to the DCNR. Forests in other regions are either tropical or dominated by conifers. The state has 121 state parks and more than 2.2 million acres of state forestland.

Located between 40 and 42 degrees North latitude, with its varied topography from sea level on the coastal plain to over 3,000 feet in the Laurel Highlands, the state supports 134 species of trees and many more shrubs and vines that contribute to the display of autumn color.

Here are four ways to view fall foliage:

Vistas

Seeing the forest from a high point gives invites you to contemplate the bigger picture and your place in the universe. Often you have to hike to the vista point. For vista views of fall foliage, head to Albany Township and check out The Pinnacle or Hawk Mountain. Bonus: fall hawk migration.

The Pinnacle is one of the most popular Instagram spots in Berks County. Hikers, new and old, like to share the breathtaking views in any season from county's highest point. It is considered one of the best views on the Pennsylvania portion of the Appalachian Trail.

The Blue Mountain stretches across the Kittatinny Ridge, an important bird flyway, and the Appalachian Trail. At 1,615 feet, the Pinnacle sits along the Kittatinny Ridge and is about 100 feet higher than Hawk Mountain's North Lookout, which about 4 miles away. To find out how to get to the Pinnacle check out https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/pennsylvania/the-pinnacle — 3.

Hawk Mountain Sanctuary's lookouts open to sweeping vistas. The trails are open, but entry to the Visitor Center facility is limited to 25 people at a time. Non-members should plan on paying with exact cash or purchase an advance ticket and bring a printed copy of that ticket to the gate. Entrance for non-member adults is $10. Details about Hawk Mountain are available at hawkmountain.org

Reflections

For reflective viewing, Hartlieb recommended Hopewell Lake in French Creek State Park and Birdsboro Waters in Union Township. Neither park has an entrance fee, and the only cost to you is time walking.

At Birdsboro Waters, there is the beautiful Stinson Run Reservoir. In the section east of Old Route 82, there is the Birdsboro Reservoir with a hiking loop trail. AllTrails.com has a full description of the trail at https://bit.ly/2Osq4af.

Take a drive

You don't need to drive all the way to Vermont for some lovely leaf peeping. Pennsylvania's Game Commission is once again offering driving tours of state game lands.

Glimpsing the leaves is just part of the deal. These tours provide an opportunity to learn about habitat improvement projects, wildlife management and hunting opportunities on State Game Lands. The tour of State Game Lands 110 in Berks is set for Oct. 17. For more details and to find other Game Lands tours go to: https://bit.ly/2XuOyV4.

Something different

For something different, try a local rail excursion. The Allentown and Auburn Railroad in Kutztown rumbles through the woods in an autumn excursion as does the Colebrookdale Railroad in Boyertown. The Allentown and Auburn's trip to a pumpkin grove is set for Oct. 23, and details are available at www.allentownandauburnrailroad.com. Tickets for adults are $16.

Colebrookdale has several departure dates for its fall foliage excursion. You can bask in the crisp air in an open carriage. The ride is two-hours long and costs $56 for adults. For details go to: https://bit.ly/3nVZaqL