Hikes With Hues -- Here's A Guide To Finding Autumn's Brilliant Colors

Are autumn's brilliant colors still screaming and demanding attention at state's national forests, hikers might ask?

``My goodness, yes,'' the Ranger Ricks of the region reply.

Who better to ask for hikes with hues in the high country and river lowlands than forest experts? With split-second timing, each suggests a day hike that showcases scintillating color - unless they are torn at having to pick a favorite.

Few carry the title of rangers; they instead are wilderness coordinators, trail specialists and public information officers. But were they to show off their district, to visitors unfamiliar with fall foliage, here are their destinations.

They also suggest people get early starts, be prepared for changing weather and possibly call ahead to the district for a weather update, especially if the snow level falls this weekend.

WENATCHEE NATIONAL FOREST

-- LAKE WENATCHEE: ``Our colors are really getting to change in the high country,'' said Corky Broaddus, public information specialist in the Lake Wenatchee Ranger District. ``We're just on the eastern edge of the crest of the (Cascade) mountains, and frankly, we're in a perfect spot to see all the colors.''

Her destinations are the Indian Creek trail, a 24-mile loop best for overnighters, or Lake Valhala, her favorite.

``That is a neat little hike,'' she said. ``From the highway up, you're already noticing the vine maple turning - that's what really is so colorful.''

Take Smith Brook Road (Forest Service Road No. 6700), 4 miles east of Stevens Pass on Highway 2. Travel 2 miles to trail head. A half-mile ahead the trail forks at the Pacific Crest Trail. Go south to Lake Valhala, a fairly moderate trek of 4 miles. Or go north to Lake Janus, two miles ahead.

``It's great for families,'' she said.

Details: (509) 763-3102.

-- LEAVENWORTH: Clara Lake out of the Mission Ridge area is a good place to see foliage, said Elizabeth Goulet, wilderness ranger.

``It's only a couple miles, and you look east over the Wenatchee Basin and over the lava flats east of the river,'' she said. ``It's pretty and relatively short.''

She said the trail is not steep, and the lake is a great destination for a picnic lunch. Allow about three hours for a round-trip.

Signs through Wenatchee provide direction to Mission Ridge. The trail head is to the right side of the ski-area parking lot.

Details: (509) 782-1413.

MT. BAKER-SNOQUALMIE NATIONAL FOREST

-- NORTH BEND: ``Our favorite probably is Annette Lake Trail,'' said Linda Slaught, information receptionist. ``But it may be a tossup with the Denny Creek Trail.''

To get to the Annette Lake trail head, take Exit 47 off Interstate 90. Turn right and follow signs to the parking lot, a quarter-mile away. The trail is 3.8 miles one way.

``Once you get a mile up, you intersect a railroad right of way. Follow it west. It's level hiking, and you get some good colors,'' she said.

Denny Creek is a 4.6-mile hike one way, and the first 3 miles are in forest. The last portion is in an alpine environment. ``There are some avalanche slopes with a lot of deciduous trees that are really pretty in the autumn,'' she said.

To get to Denny Creek, take Exit 47 but go north of I-90 and follow Forest Service Road No. 58 for 2 1/2 miles to trail head.

Details: 888-1421.

-- DARRINGTON: ``Some of the prettiest stuff you'll drive by along the south fork of the Stillaguamish,'' trail specialist Gary Paull said of the route to Green Mountain.

The trail is 4 miles, one way, and gains 3,000 feet. Only the first mile is in trees, with the trail then giving way to an explosion of color with the turning leaves of huckleberry and mountain ash.

Travel to Darrington, north along Highway 534 for 7 miles, then head east on the Suiattle River Road for 20 miles. Take the Green Mountain Road, veering to the road, with the trail head 6 miles ahead.

Details: 436-1155.

-- WHITE RIVER: The Dalles Nature Trail is trail and wilderness coordinator Denny Couglin's choice. It's a flat trail, not even a mile long, that follows the banks of the White River, where trees boast autumn hues.

He considers it a great family destination for a picnic.

Twenty-six miles from Enumclaw on Highway 410 is Dalles Campground. Turn right. Go through campground to picnic area.

Details: 825-6585.

OLYMPIC NATIONAL FOREST

-- HOOD CANAL: Check out the Lower South Fork Trail along the Skokomish River, said Joanne Conrad, information assistant.

The lower trail meanders through ancient forests, accented by vine maple, for nearly 11 miles. At the end, overnight backpackers can continue on the upper trail, which offers even more splashes of color. The lower trail gains only 300 feet elevation, with hikers often spotting Roosevelt elk this time of year along the river basin.

Travel Highway 101 to the Skokomish Valley Road, 6 miles north of Shelton and 7 miles south of Hoodsport. Turn west on Skokomish Valley Road and travel 5 miles to junction at FS No. 23. Go right for 9 miles to FS No. 2353. Turn right; trail is 1 mile ahead.

Details: 877-5254.

-- QUINAULT: ``There's lots of leaves still on the trees, and they are turning,'' said Tom Sayre, public affairs officer, of half-mile nature trails that skirt Quinault Lake.

The trails, with plenty of signs, sport striking shades of red and orange that contrast with the darkness colors of the ancient forest.

Quinault is 58 miles north of Aberdeen on Highway 101. Turn east onto South Shore Road to parking lot, on right.