Lake Superior Scenic Drive & Fall Color
Wisconsin - Upper Peninsula
Fall Color - near Gurney, WI & Potato Falls
Fall Foliage Drives
US Highway 51 ends its northern journey through Wisconsin when it intersects with US Highway 2 outside of Hurley, Wi. At this point the color tour traveler has a choice. Do I go east into Michigan's Upper Peninsula or do I head west towards the Bayfield Peninsula?
In the fall of 2005 and 2006 we managed to do both, from Duluth, Minnesota to Copper Harbor, Michigan. A number of scenic drives are profiled in our Color Tour Directory 
By the way, another favorite fall attraction is bird migration. Hawk's Ridge in Duluth is a popular spot for viewing raptor migration. Another popular spot for viewing the fall migration is Whitefish Point in the upper peninsula.
A Color Tour Bonus - Water Falls
We had expected great color along the Black River Scenic Byway that runs down to Black River Harbor and Campground. It lies in a part of  the Ottawa National Forest rich in old growth mixed northern hardwoods - hemlock, birch, and maple.
< < < Our surprise was finding the Black River waterfalls roaring in spectacular fashion. This discovery prompted us to add Potato River Falls to our itinerary - and we were richly rewarded in finding it displaying both color and dancing water.
A couple we met at Black River Harbor told us the waterfalls in their glory happens fairly often in the fall in this part of the UP. Apparently as the cold, below freezing evening temps kill off the marsh grass and vegetation, it is like removing a dam, thus releasing more water into the river systems. Add some fall rains (and snow) like we had in the fall of 2005 and you have waterfall conditions that rival springtime.
In the fall of 2006 we were able to add the Porkies to our itinerary. The views from the Lake of the Clouds Overlook and Summit Peak are kodak moments during the summer and when they are splashed with fall color they are outstanding.
More Lake Superior Color Tours & Fall Foliage Scenic Drives
We'll look forward in future years to sampling the color elsewhere around the lake. Based on the forest ecology, I'd expect rewards throughout the UP, through Sault Ste. Marie and up to Wawa Ontario.
|
Upper Peninsula 
