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Upper Peninsula of Michigan Fall Colors Report

The #1 Source for Fall Colors in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan

Each week usually starting in late July or early August through the first or second week of October you can follow the U.P. Fall Color Report. This year 2021 will be the 8th year of the FunintheUP.com Upper Peninsula Fall Color Report online. You'll see some of the best fall color displays in the entire United States as the Upper Peninsula is covered in thick forests of maple, oak, aspen, birch, ironwood, beech, ash, and basswood. Join Yooper Steve on a Fall Colors/Big Views/Waterfalls Tour. More and more people are visiting the Upper Peninsula each year to view the amazing color show along the highways, from scenic overlooks, along small lakes, and rivers, no matter where you go in the UP you'll see some beautiful color. Check back each week on this page because it will be updated with the newest information on the progression of the fall colors across the Upper Peninsula.

Thanks for visiting the page and supporting FunintheUP.com --- Yooper Steve

Would you like to help support what I do in promoting the UP? You can do so by advertising with or sponsoring FunintheUP to our over 59,000+ followers. Support here


Previous Years Fall Color Reports

2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014


2021 UP Fall Color Report Week by Week

Week 1 // no reports for week 2-4 // Week 5 - Week 6 - Week 7 - Week 8 - Week 9


Upper Peninsula Fall Colors, Michigan 2021 Week 10

Upper Peninsula of Michigan Fall Colors Report

Week 10, Sept 27th - Oct 3rd

Fall Color Reports by Yooper Steve :: Oct 4th, 2021
Welcome to Week 10 of the Upper Peninsula Fall Color Report in Michigan's beautiful Upper Peninsula.
Lots and lots of color out there. I put on another 900 miles this week chasing fall color, I think it is about time for an oil change. I have really noticed the increase of vehicles on the road this week and the increase in people at the popular touristy overlooks. This season hasn't been as busy as last year was but I certainly saw lots of people overflowing the parking lots this week. Almost the entire UP is now at 80% to peak and past peak color now, follow the regional details below to find out more info. I will try to update areas this week if I get a chance through the week, not saying I will for sure, I have a lot of things to start working on before winter arrives so those take priority over any updates to the last report. Thanks for following the UP Fall Color Report 2021, look for this report next year starting in the beginning of August 2022, it will be the 9th year for the report. Make sure you follow funintheup.com for Winter 2021/22 Snow Reports and Daily UP Snow Totals I started recording snow totals in 2011.

Color Change Average as of Week 10: Peak color

Thank you so much for following these reports and I am happy to provide this service free of charge to the tens of thousands of you who follow every fall season (I also do Winter Snow Reports, you should follow them too). This is the 8th year I have provided these reports, it does take many many hours, lots of miles on the vehicles for 9-12 weeks, and lots of typing, looking at pictures, and videos I take, communicating with friends, other tourism agencies, businesses, tourists, scanning facebook posts, twitter, instagram, keeping track of the weather each week across different parts of the UP. If you are thinking about coming to the UP and never have been here I encourage you to come visit, or come more often, we would love to have you up here.

If the UP Fall Color Report helped you plan your UP Fall Color Adventure please consider donating through Paypal any $$ amount or through Venmo: funintheup
You can also join me on a Guided UP Adventure UpperPeninsulaTours.com
Thank you so much to those who have donated this year, it all goes right into the gas tank, I have drove over 3600 miles to bring you the UP Fall Color Report this season 2021.


Fall Color and Waterfall Tours - UpperPeninsulaTours.com - fall colors, big views, waterfalls, historic sites.
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Western UP - Overall: 90%/Peak/Past Peak
Mt. Zion overlook - Peak color
Wolf Mtn overlook - Peak Color
Interior Porkies - Peak/Past peak color
Summit Peak Porkies overlook - Past peak color
Lake of the Clouds overlook - Peaking color
Ontonagon area - Peaking color
Greenland area - Peaking color
Lake Gogebic Area - Peak/Past Peak
Ottawa National Forest Kenton/Sidnaw - Peaking/Past Peak
US2 from Wakefield to Iron River - peak/past peak color
Crystal Falls to Covington - Peak/Past Peak color

Northern UP - Overall: 60% to Past Peak
Copper Harbor(updated 10.5.21) - 60% to Peaking - south and west from Brockway Mtn overlook is getting close to peak color. Looking back towards East Bluff colors have reverted back into more green after all the rain so it has actually set peak back probably till mid week next week over that way. Color elsewhere on Rocky Ridge is 60-70% color with more peaking a bit more south and west towards Voodoo mtn.
US41 Delaware to Copper Harbor - 80% - peaking color
Mt. Bohemia - 75% south/eastern sides - peaking/peak north/western sides
Mt. Baldy - 60% (north side) - peaking color (south side)
Bare Bluff - peak/past peak most of mountain, some a little green on southern side
Mt. Horace Greely - peak/past peak
Cliff Drive - 60%-70% color
Trap Rock valley/Lake Linden - 80% to peaking color
Portage Canal Houghton/Hancock - 75% color south side of canal, 60% color north side of canal
M26 South Range to Firesteel river - peak/past peak
Tapiola/Pelkie - peaking/past peak
Baraga/L'Anse along Lake Superior - 75% color
Skanee/Aura - 75% to Past peak color
Alberta/Canyon Falls/Covington Jct - Past peak color
Herman - Past peak color
Big Erics Bridge area 80% to past peak color
Mt. Arvon area - Peak to Past Peak color
Silver Mtn/Pricket Dam - 70%-80% color
Sturgeon Gorge Wilderness - 80% to Past peak color





Central UP - Overall: 70%-Past Peak
Three Lakes/Michigamme - Past Peak color
Craig Lake State Park - Peak/Past peak color
Big Bay/Thomas Rock - 70%-80% color a little green still out there, peaking around weekend
Sugarloaf/Hogsback - 70% color, there are still some green areas, should be hitting peak around the weekend
Co.Rd 510 McClure Dam to AAA - 80%/Peak color
Mt. Marquette - 70% color towards Marquette, more west 80% - peak color
Co. Rd 480/M35 - Peaking/Past peak color
Gwinn area - 70% - 80% color
US41 Harvey to Trenary - 80% to Peaking color
M94/US41 Jct to M28 Munising - 80% to Past Peak color
M28 Lake Superior to Munising 75% color, still some patchy green areas closer to lake
Munising area north - 75% color
Munising area south/west/east - peaking color
Shingleton to Seney - 80% to Peak color
Grand Marais area south - 70%-80% color

Eastern UP - Overall: 70-80%
Grand Marais to Whitefish point just off Lake Superior - 70% color
Seney to Newberry - 75%-80%, further north more color
Tahquamenon falls state park - 80% color some areas are peaking
123 south from Paradise to Eckerman - 75% to peaking color
M28 Strongs to Dafter 80% color some areas are peaking
Areas near Bay Mills - 80% to peak color
Trout Lake/Rudyard - 80% color some areas are hitting peak
East of I75 - most of area reaching 75%

Southern UP - Overall: %-
Most of the southern UP is 70-75% by weekend should be nearing peak color



If you enjoy these Fall Color Reports and it was useful to you please considering helping me by donating any $$ amount it helps ensure I can keep traveling the UP to bring you FunintheUP and keep promoting our beautiful part of the world. You can also join the FunintheUP Membership program on Facebook. Also consider booking a UP Guided Tour with myself Yooper Steve off-the-beaten-path adventures in the beautiful UP of Michigan at upperpeninsulatours.com
Thanks for following the FunintheUP UP Fall Color Report, 8 years running.


Share your fall color photos fall @ funintheup.com or just message the FunintheUP facebook page.

Thanks for following the U.P. Fall Color Report, check back weekly for updates.
--Yooper Steve - U.P. Tour Guide::Photographer::Filmmaker

FunintheUP on Instagram - FunintheUP on Facebook
Yooper Steve Instagram - Yooper Steve Facebook - SteveJurmu.com




Upper Peninsula Fall Colors, Michigan 2021 Week 9

Upper Peninsula of Michigan Fall Colors Report

Week 9, Sept 20th- Sept 26th

Fall Color Reports by Yooper Steve :: Sept 27th, 2021
Welcome to Week 9 of the Upper Peninsula Fall Color Report in Michigan's beautiful Upper Peninsula.
What are you waiting for? Are you waiting for the fall color to be perfect? What is perfect color? Can you hit the color season just right? Well guess what, we are peaking now in some areas, just as I was saying we would, yes there are still areas which still have a lot of green, don't worry those areas will quickly turn in a heartbeat, it always happens every year, the Upper Peninsula is a big place. The UP has lots of land with lots of microclimates, we have many hills, valleys, Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, the U.P. is a unique place in the USA, no weather is the same from one end to the other and that is the beauty of it. So you might ask yourself I only have this weekend to visit the UP, is it worth it for fall colors? I will answer of course it is, no matter where you are heading into the Upper Peninsula you will see nice color.There are some areas that will be past peak, but most areas just starting to hit 70-80% color and this weekend peaking, and a few other areas will just be getting into the 75% range which is still really nice, after that 75% range we can see peak in a matter of days. Even after we reach peak the understory through the forests really starts glowing with color, just after we start seeing some good leaf loss, so traveling down the backroads is always a fun adventure if you miss you seeing the bright fall colors from your favorite overlook, just take the backroads and enjoy the color in the forests.

Color Change Average as of Week 9: 80% color

Thank you so much for following these reports and I am happy to provide this service free of charge to the tens of thousands of you who follow every fall season (I also do Winter Snow Reports, you should follow them too). This is the 8th year I have provided these reports, it does take many many hours, lots of miles on the vehicles for 9-12 weeks, and lots of typing, looking at pictures, and videos I take, communicating with friends, other tourism agencies, businesses, tourists, scanning facebook posts, twitter, instagram, keeping track of the weather each week across different parts of the UP. If you are thinking about coming to the UP and never have been here I encourage you to come visit, or come more often, we would love to have you up here.

If you are able to help support my endevours to bring you this UP Fall Color Report each year please consider donating through Paypal any $$ amount or through Venmo: funintheup
You can also join me on a Guided UP Adventure UpperPeninsulaTours.com
Thank you so much to those who have donated this year, it all goes right into the gas tank, so far I have driven over 2700 miles, almost 1000 miles on last week.


Fall Color and Waterfall Tours - UpperPeninsulaTours.com - fall colors, big views, waterfalls, historic sites.
Upper Peninsula Waterfalls - Follow on Facebook UpperPeninsulaWaterfalls
Fall Color Guided Tours - UpperPeninsulaTours.com - fall colors, big views, waterfalls, historic sites.
Upper Peninsula Waterfalls - Follow on Facebook UpperPeninsulaWaterfalls
Western UP - Overall: 60%-Peaking
The Western UP has just started to peak the last couple days, if you are visiting anywhere in the Western UP after this weekend, you'll see less and less color and more leaf loss daily. Mt Zion in Ironwood had a bit of green left to change, but overall things are looking pretty colorful, I noticed many of the trees have started to turn into some duller tones this week, leaf loss is already happening, the next 3-5 days is your time to take in the views here. Some may be thinking about Copper Peak and taking in the views, now is the time, the next few days will be perfect, anything after this weekend you'll miss the best, granted there will still be some yellows, but the reds and oranges really start to turn dull and the leaf loss will start to accelerate. Colors around Wakefield were nice, views of the bluffs around the lake were nice and colorful, a few areas of green with not much left to change. US2 to Marinesco is looking better now, the maples are mostly into their color progression, a bit of green but expect the dive to hit peak by the weekend. Around Lake Gogebic things are nice and colorful, some trees still changing but color is filling in nicely, some good reds seen. North along M64 from Bergland to Silver City is nice and colorful, some patchy greens and understory still has a ways to go, but it was a nice drive.
The Porkies, one of the favorite places of many to view the fall colors in the Upper Peninsula. The Porcupine Mountains are certainly wonderful, wonderful all year, and especially wonderful during the fall. The last few days in the Porkies the colors have started to transform nicely, things are peaking into the interior portions of the state park with areas near Lake Superior side of Lake of the Clouds another 3-5 days and it will be peak. Views from the Lake of the Clouds on the northern side of the lake is around 60-70% color, on the south side we are seeing 70-80% color, the greens are quickly moving into all yellows, this week into the weekend at Lake of the Clouds is prime time, but don't worry colorful views will still linger till around Oct 9th/10th, but leaf loss by that time will be 25-50%. Taking in the views at Summit Peak in the middle of the park is prime time right now, started to peak a few days ago and peaking now, with each day that goes on after today we will be seeing more and more leaf loss. This view in my mind is the best in the Porkies, the view is so vast with 270 degrees of viewing as far as the eye can see. From the tower you can see Michigan, WI, MN, and Canada, do bring some binoculars up here you will be glad you did. Colors in the forests along the forests in the Ottawa National Forest are really nice the understory has a bit to go but there is a lot of color, and coming across ponds and rivers you will see lots of colorful displays. Color by Paulding at Bond Falls is very close to peak right now, color by the middle of the weeks will be prime time and even into the weekend it should stick around a bit, the forest serice roads the area are fun to explore. From Bond Falls take Calderwood Rd up to M28 then goto Agate Falls another Michigan Scenic waterfall, you're so close why wouldn't you! Also not far is the wonderful and scenic O Kun de Kun falls and Konteka falls which are north of Bruce Crossing on Hwy45.

Northern UP - Overall: 50%-Peaking
I will start off with Copper Harbor again being that it is probably the last area to turn peak this fall besides a few areas off Lake Michigan near Manistique and Mackinac Island. The number one place to view fall colors in the Keweenaw is Copper Harbor, it is that way because it is the easiest to get to and of course the views from the top are amazing. So peak here usually lags behind the interior portions of the Keweenaw 5-7 days, but this year we will see it lagging behind by about 9-10 days. Views from the eastern side towards Copper Harbor and East Bluff always are the last to change along with the southern portions down towards Agate Harbor. Color along these areas is only around 40-50% and follow Rocky Ridge around to the south and over towards Lake Medora and back towards Voodoo Mtn and Mt. Lookout you will see the color increases into the 60-70% range. This week into the middle of next week views from Brockway Mtn will be prime time viewing, wait any longer and you'll be starting to see leaf loss, but if you travel the backroads you'l see plenty of colorful forest blanketed with leaves.
The most scenic fall color road in the UP, US41 from Copper Harbor to Delaware is really colorful right now, it is prime time as it gets, it will last another few days with this weekend probably being it for the best colors. NOTE: DO NOT STOP YOUR CAR ALONG US41 BETWEEN HERE, IT IS DANGEROUS and YOU COULD GET KILLED or you WILL CAUSE SOMEONE ELSE TO GET KILLED. The highway is busy, and there are thousands of vehicles traveling along this stretch each day, there isn't any room to avoid your vehicle, there are no shoulders.
Mt. Bohemia on the north side is changing color nicely, the south side was a bit green yet this past weekend but it was really coming along, by the weekend there should be some good color. Views from the southern sides of the peaks along the Keweenaw spine were a bit green still but it won't be long another 5 days they should be at peak. There are portions along the middle of the Keweenaw that you can see like Mt. Horace Greely, Gratior Mtn and westward that are reaching peak right now, some of the lower regions of the hills and bluffs will be peaking this week into the weekend. Views from The Cliffs was nice middle of last week with around 50% color with patches of 75%, the trees along the lower regions of the cliffs were starting to change already, a bit quicker than last year by about 5 days. From Eagle Harbor on Eagle Harbor Cut off rd the drive was really nice, lots of color to make anyone smile. Outside Lac La Belle heading towards Gay along that very scenic stretch of road are some nice reds along the swamps, color is pretty good now, last week early it was nice but color was sporadic but it has filled in nice, should continue through middle of next week. Views from Bumbletown hill were amazing and it was really starting to fill in, peak color can be seen for miles and miles, there was still a bit of green to fill in, but you can't go wrong with these amazing views right now. Anywhere around Calumet is nice, peak color right now, and plenty of leaf loss has started now. Traprock Valley is coming on strong, colors looked good coming down some of the hills from Kearsarge, a bit dull this year but still nice, peak is now into the middle of this week, still be a bit of color into the weekend and early next week too. Along the Portage Canal in Houghton and Hancock the color is now getting good, Mt Ripley is still seeing a good color progression, a lot of change from 5 days ago even, Hancock side of the canal to Dollar Bay is now around 50% color. Houghton side, heading west along the Portage Canal color is abit further along with color hitting that 75% range today and into peak by the weekend. Taking Houghton canal road out to "the Breakers" was wonderful, always a nice refreshing drive out there to Lake Superior shoreline, a very popular spot to take in the views of the waves crashing on the shore and to watch sunsets, been some beauties this last week. Now we will travel outside Houghton on M26, take it west and you will find some colorful trees, some beautiful reds are now starting to loose their charm as things fade and leaves get blown off the trees, now it is peaking, by the weekend it will be super colorful and heading into past peak. Color is good from Painesdale to Firesteel rivers where the construction is happening with the new bridges being built. As you get past the Houghton/Ontonagon county line color has dried up pretty good with a few trees still showcasing their beauty. If you want a nice ride take Misery Bay rd to Misery Bay or Agate Beach. Also take Pike Lake Rd off M26 to M38 to Alston, you could stop at Clear Lake, Pike Lake, and Emily Lake for some nice colorful shorelines too.




Central UP - Overall: 60%-Peaking
In the Central UP things are starting to change really nice now, lots of color to be seen. Some areas in western Marquette county are 80% to peaking now like out near Michigamme and Craig Lake State Park area and Champion area. There are still some green areas along Lake Michigamme but there is nice color all around the lake now as well as up and down the Peshekee river. Colors were still coming along on the understory along the Huron Bay/Peshekee Grade road but much of the tree tops are already close to peak. Colors along Co Rds 510 and 550 are looking good this week, should be hitting peak color around this weekend into early next week. There is more color the further inland you are off of Lake Superior. Co Rd 510 was really nice most of the way the understory is still green in some areas but there are some really colorful areas from the McLure dam up to Big Pup falls. Colors on the bluffs off AAA road are nice and the drive to Big Bay on AAA/510 past Thomas Rock to 550 is really colorful, seeing a bit of leaf loss too. Thomas Rock views were pretty good but still plenty of green off the shores of Lake Superior but more inland views have some nice areas of color, this weekend should be prime time viewing and even into next weekend may hold out along Lake Superior. Views off Mount Marquette were starting to get colorful, plenty of green yet, right around 40-50% as of late last week, should be hitting peak colors up in the middle of next week. Colors off US41 from Harvey to Trenary are really nice, some decent reds have appeared, some bare tree tops but color is holding on, just about peak much of the way into the weekend. Taking in the views from Jasper Knob and Pilot Knob were showing some good colors on the tree tops around Ishpeming with a little bit of green yet to change, around 75% color overall around the area. South of Tilden Mine and heading towards Gwinn color is popping give it a few more days and it should be good, a loop to take with decent color right now is M35 to 426 to Arnold and head west on 426 to M95 then head north back to US41, then take US41 back to Ishpeming. Taking M28 from Harvey to Munising has some good color showing now, still some green spots along the way but off the lake color is starting to pop. Around Munising colors are popping with around 60-70%, by this weekend it should be hitting around 90% and even some areas could hit peak, but most areas around immediate Munising should be reaching peak by mid week next week, expect some leaf loss starting as well. Color is good south of Shingleton along M94 all the way into Manistique but as you get closer to Manistique color isn't as prominent. From Manistique to Rapid River on US2 there is some good areas of color but still has a bit to go, by next weekend it should be full peak color on this stretch.

Eastern UP - Overall: 60-80%
The eastern UP is starting to get good now, but areas along Lake Michigan and Lake Superior don't expect the colors to hit peak until well into next week, but if temps drop back down in the 40s again at night it could be as early as mid week. Around Tahquamenon falls color is still filling in, by early next week there should be more color to fill your frames of your pictures at the waterfalls, overall color is 60% along the water, expect 80% to peak colors around Oct 4th-8th. Color around Seney is ok but head further south to Blaney Park and along US2 to Naubinway for some good color, still a bit of green to go yet, but it is still pretty colorful most of the stretch is around 50%. Color inland off Lake Michigan you'll find more color, areas around Brevort lake are nice, take some of the backroads to find those colorful patches, overall inland in the eastern UP is 50-70%.

Southern UP - Overall: 50-70%-
Some nice colors popping up along the shores of Lake Antoine and Fumee Lake now, there are some nature trails to enjoy for a relaxing time if you are in the Iron Mountain area. For a nice color drive this week and into next weekend try this loop, from Iron Mountain take M95 north to M69 east then take US41 west to Powers then back onto US2 to Iron Mountain. Didn't get a chance to get many other places around the Southern UP but as peak hits this week across the more northernly counties I hope to get a bit more time to travel further south.



If you enjoy these Fall Color Reports and it was useful to you please considering helping me by donating any $$ amount it helps ensure I can keep traveling the UP to bring you FunintheUP and keep promoting our beautiful part of the world. You can also join the FunintheUP Membership program on Facebook. Also consider booking a UP Guided Tour with myself Yooper Steve off-the-beaten-path adventures in the beautiful UP of Michigan at upperpeninsulatours.com
Thanks for following the FunintheUP UP Fall Color Report, 8 years running.


Share your fall color photos fall @ funintheup.com or just message the FunintheUP facebook page.

Thanks for following the U.P. Fall Color Report, check back weekly for updates.
--Yooper Steve - U.P. Tour Guide::Photographer::Filmmaker

FunintheUP on Instagram - FunintheUP on Facebook
Yooper Steve Instagram - Yooper Steve Facebook - SteveJurmu.com




Upper Peninsula Fall Colors, Michigan 2021 Week 8

Upper Peninsula of Michigan Fall Colors Report

Week 8, Sept 13th- Sept 19th

Fall Color Reports by Yooper Steve :: Sept 20th, 2021
Welcome to Week 8 of the Upper Peninsula Fall Color Report in Michigan's beautiful Upper Peninsula.
This year so far I put on about 1800 miles on doing this years UP Fall Color Report with another 1000-1200 miles planned for the next 9-12 days. I will be doing a Week 9 report but not sure if I will do a week 10 report, all depends on how fast these colors change this week. This week many people are really starting to notice the color change, there are some areas which are really blazing ahead quickly. After we reach 70% color we can sometimes see peak as quickly as 3-4 days later and then you really start seeing the leaf loss, so keep that in mind as you are reading these reports and trying to time your adventures up to the Upper Peninsula. Areas near Lake Superior will be about a week behind peak color from the interior portions of the Upper Peninsula, sometimes even have up to 10 days after peak interior. Even after peak you will still have some nice color but with the combined leaf loss things really start to thin out pretty quickly as we start getting higher winds and mid fall rains. This week color will really progress fast, yes fast, our temps are going to be mild with cooler 40s most of the week with just enough sunshine during the days to provide some warmth on your skin as you are enjoying the colors but enough cloud cover to let the forests know fall is continuing and for that chlorophyll production to stop. This week and next week are it for fall colors, after that you'll wish you came up here earlier, don't get me wrong, even if you were to come up to the UP after October 3rd-5th, you'll still have a bit of color remaining along the Lake Superior shorelines but your views will dwindle each day beyond. Read more detail on the regions across the Upper Peninsula in the regional reports below.

If you are able to help support my endevours to bring you this UP Fall Color Report each year please consider donating through Paypal any $$ amount or through Venmo: funintheup

What is bringing on the lack of good color progression this year you may ask? It has been dry and hot, this doesn't make for good color, we have seen less than 3 inches of rain in much of the UP this summer from July 1st to Aug 29th. We are seeing creeks, rivers, and ponds that normally have water on any given summer totally dry up with not a drop of water. What rains we have been getting have been soaked up quickly by the plants and trees and being used for energy to sustain growth of them, no reserves left, no ground water to pull from. Check out the US Drought Map.

Color Change Average as of Week 8: 50% color
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Western UP - Overall: 40-75%
The Western UP is really starting to change now, you can't go down any backroad or take in the views from any high point now without seeing a nice blanket of color. If you were to hit Mt Zion up this week you'll see some good color. This weekend views from Copper Peak and Mt. Zion, Wolf Mtn, Bessemmer Bluff will all yield nice colorful views with some hints of green still remaining, should see good color through early part of next week. The drive along Black River Road to the harbor is starting to get really colorful, there are some nice patches of colors and some good reds right now, don't expect the reds to remain much longer. From Ironwood to Wakefield there is nice color now, still a bit of green but the patches of color are there by the weekend things should fill in. Views around Sunday lake are nice, on the bluffs to the west you can see the patchy colors, but still a bit of green, catch this view with a nice still evening as the sun goes down and you'll snap some wonderful pictures. CoRd 519 is looking wonderful now, plenty of reds pop out at you and lots of patches of vibrant color have appeared this week, the drive all the way up to Presque Isle River and S.Boundary Rd is looking good and will be excellent color by the weekend. Some good colors are appearing above the waterfalls now, expect lots of people there this week through the first few days of October. Driving along S. Boundary Rd all the way to Lake Superior at Porkies headquarters color is there each day this week will get better and better, by this time next week very well could hit peak color. Lake of the Clouds and Summit Peak views this week were showing 35-50% color, expect things to be hitting 50-60% color by the weekend, possibly even up to 70% with the cool 40 degree evenings almost the entire week. From Bruce Crossing to Wakefield color is ok but really dull and I don't think it will be much of anything, your best color will be near Bergland and to the west along M28. Drives up the forest service roads are really nice, I always like the drive down Norwich Rd and driving around on the backroads in the Ottawa National Forest. Bruce Crossing to Covington Jct has some decent color but things seem pretty dried up, a few patchy areas of bright oranges and a few reds, but pretty dull this year along this stretch of M28.

Northern UP - Overall: 30-80%
I will start with Copper Harbor this week, don't expect to see peak color up in the harbor for another 10-12 days. Temps will stay mild along Lake Superior while the interior portions from Keweenaw Mtn Lodge all the way to Calumet will be a bit cooler setting up that peak color. Don't let this stop you from taking the ride up to Copper Harbor though, the drive in from Houghton along US41 will be really colorful (it already is), the color will be hitting peak along the entire stretch this weekend, so you'll still have a nice blend of color and green. Great views this week will be at Mt. Baldy, Mt. Bohemia, and Bare Bluff. Traprock valley hills are changing color really nice now coming down some of the roads from US41 are showing some nice colorful scenery. The drives on any backroad now from Houghton up to Central are pretty colorful even 5 mile point road is pretty nice right now. Anywhere along the Portage Canal now is still pretty green, you'll notice the western areas along Houghton canal road on the south side (less sun) of the canal is turning nice color reaching 40-50% now while the north side (more sun) from Hancock to Dollar Bay is now reaching 35%. One of the best drives for color is from Painesdale to M38/M26 Jct, the color is 60% to 70% color now, there are still some areas of green but each day now color keeps popping out, soon it will be at peak along this stretch, and the backroads are looking nice also, some beautiful scenes along some rivers and lakes right now. Interior areas around Twin Lakes along Pike River Rd are really nice, lots of leaves starting to fall off onto the road. Views at Lake Roland were about 50% around Tuesday last week, now we should be hitting 60% color with 70-80% by the weekend. If you are looking for good color you will want to drive along US41 from L'Anse to Covington Jct, most color right now is near Alberta to Covington Jct. Outside L'Anse and into the Huron Mtns has some excellent color along the backroads like Arvon Rd and Ravine River Road. Great time for some waterfall photography now in the Huron Mtns with the leaves starting to turn into a full color display. From L'Anse to Big Ericks bridge is real nice now, last week nice but this week you can really see the changes, love the views as your going up and down the hills out this way. If you were to venture into the Huron Mtns further along Northwestern or AAA you'll see 70-80% color now along the backroads with the understory starting to change into yellows now. Views from Ghost peak were a bit better than last week, was only seeing 30-40% color last week now it has reached 60% color closer to Lake Superior with a slow progression into 70-80% color more interior towards Mt. Arvon.



Central UP - Overall: 35-70%
The central UP is getting colorful now, areas in the more western Marquette county around Ishpeming and Negaunee still have lots of green and as you go further west color gets better, especially near Champion and Michigamme. Color near Three Lakes has really popped this week, expect peak out this way near Craig Lake State Park to hit peak by the weekend. More southern areas of US41 in Marquette county are starting to reach 50% and 60% color. The drives around the backroads south of National Mine are really colorful now with plenty of way to go but much of the area has hit 50% color. Up near Big Bay color has gotten pretty good now, views from Thomas Rock (aka Gobblers Knob) are still showing plenty of green especially on the north side along Lake Superior, but expect it to fill it fast this week. Southern side of the mountain color has reached around 50% color with some areas reaching 70% color further back towards Eagle Mine. Along Co Rd 510 color is really nice, the entire drive is nice and colorful, especially the first part from McLure dam to around Big Pup falls. Driving down AAA road was really nice, the bluffs outside of Big Bay as you are coming down the AAA are a little dull but still nice with that color filling in. From Big Bay to Marquette along 550 isn't super colorful but has some nice patchy areas, but things overall are pretty dull looking hopefully the last bit of green to turn ends up being a bit more vibrant this week, the rain the last few days should help with that. If taking in the views from Sugarloaf and Hogsback are nice as they always are but there is still plenty of green to be seen from above. These views will start getting really nice this weekend and be really colorful from Sept 30th-Oct 5th. Views from Mount Marquette are much like from Sugarloaf and Hogsback still really green but can surely see the color starting to appear now, last week it was a bit hard to see any color change. Areas south of Marquette more inland off of Lake Superior towards Cherry Creek road and Co Rd 480 there is a bit more color. If you were taking Co Rd 480 from Cherry Creek Road to Negaunee you would see some decent areas of color now, still a ways to go but getting more, should be a nice drive this coming weekend into next week. Down 553 towards Gwinn there isn't much color a lot of it is seen around Marquette Mountain to the Crossroads, further towards Gwinn there is color. Areas along M28 to Munising has color but more as you are off of Lake Superior around the lakes and rivers and inland into the Hiawatha National Forest.Taking M94 from KI Sawyer to Munising you will see more color than along M28, another week and this drive should be really colorful, always good to stop at Laughing Whitefish falls, Au Trail Falls, and Wagner falls, all of which are off of M94. Heading down US41 south to Trenary there was some nice color starting soon to be filling in.

Eastern UP - Overall:35-50%
In the Eastern UP things are more colorful as well, we shall see how this weeks cooler temps bring out the colors, been a little lack in color in some areas around the lake but inland color has been progressing fairly normal, much of that because it hasn't been as dry as the western and northern areas of the UP have been. Grand Marais south along M77 to Seney is somewhat colorful, of course further inland the better. M28 from Shingleton colors were getting pretty good but still a bit to go. Around McMillan all the way to Eckermans corner there were some pretty good patches of color but still a lot of green being seen. Heading up from Newberry to Tahquamenon falls the color was starting to get pretty good, this should be a nice colorful drive right at the end of the month and still be pretty colorful even into the first few days of October. Anything a mile or two off of Lake Superior right now is still pretty green much like it was over by Marquette, color mostly in the 30% range some patchy spots in the 40% range but not until this week until we start seeing that color really start to pop. Along US2 from Blaney Park to the Mackinac bridge color was so so, but you could notice nice patches, much of the way was 25-35% color, also expecting the color to jump this week to around 60% after this cold spell but Lake Michigan might just keep it a bit more mild and color change into October maybe even decent color after Oct 5th along this stretch.

Southern UP - Overall: 30-45%
In the southern UP color change has started picking up now, things are a bit colorful along the roads around Iron Mtn to Escanaba. From Powers to Menominee color was ok with some decent patches but still a lot of green. Going north from Menominee up to Escanaba things were getting colorful near JW Wells State Park, but much of the way had mostly green, that mild weather along Lake Michigan and the bay is keeping things from turning to quickly along with the rains, but this week we should really start seeing it change in the southern UP to over 50% color.



If you enjoy these Fall Color Reports and it was useful to you please considering helping me by donating any $$ amount it helps ensure I can keep traveling the UP to bring you FunintheUP and keep promoting our beautiful part of the world. You can also join the FunintheUP Membership program on Facebook. Also consider booking a UP Guided Tour with myself Yooper Steve off-the-beaten-path adventures in the beautiful UP of Michigan at upperpeninsulatours.com
Thanks for following the FunintheUP UP Fall Color Report, 8 years running.


Share your fall color photos fall @ funintheup.com or just message the FunintheUP facebook page.

Thanks for following the U.P. Fall Color Report, check back weekly for updates.
--Yooper Steve - U.P. Tour Guide::Photographer::Filmmaker

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Upper Peninsula Fall Colors, Michigan 2021 Week 7

Upper Peninsula of Michigan Fall Colors Report

Week 7, Sept 6th- Sept 12th

Fall Color Reports by Yooper Steve :: Sept 13th, 2021
Welcome to Week 7 of the Upper Peninsula Fall Color Report in Michigan's beautiful Upper Peninsula.
I will be updating the text portion of the UP Fall Color Report tonight after I finish, just wanted to get the Week 7 graphic up. This is the week where we will really start seeing color popping, into the weekend expect some big changes. The cooler evenings we are seeing this week should really help with that progression. We have gotten a bit of rain and it appears we will be getting more this week before the weekend, but it won't be enough to slow the progression down to much, that summer heat stressed many of the trees and many leaves are wilted and lost their vibrant color already. We do look to have some warm weather again with little sky cover which might burn up a bit more of color, but hopefully it will be only a day or two of upper 70s or low 80s, not that some warmer weather isn't welcome, everyone loves a nice warm September day, because we all know what is ahead of us come October. Stay tuned tonight to read some more as I get into a bit more detail on the regions across the Upper Peninsula.
What is bringing on the lack of good color progression this year you may ask? It has been dry and hot, this doesn't make for good color, we have seen less than 3 inches of rain in much of the UP this summer from July 1st to Aug 29th. We are seeing creeks, rivers, and ponds that normally have water on any given summer totally dry up with not a drop of water. What rains we have been getting have been soaked up quickly by the plants and trees and being used for energy to sustain growth of them, no reserves left, no ground water to pull from. Check out the US Drought Map.

Color Change Average as of Week 7: 40% color
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Western UP - Overall: 20-60%
Views in the western UP are starting to fill in with color a bit more noticable now, those reds just aren't showing up like last year but you can see them here and there, many of them you can see have started wilting. Porkies this week should really start changing with this cool weather, views at Lake of the Clouds were showing lots of green but you could see that the yellows are starting to fill in the leaves now. I have a feeling Lake of the Clouds will fill in really quickly this year with color a bit quicker than usual due to the heat from this summer stressing out the trees, probably be pretty good color on the lower regions of the hills and more dull color upper regions. Heading down South Boundary Rd to Co Rd 519 you will see more color in the interior than areas closer to Lake Superior, this drive should start getting really colorful by Sept 22nd and last into peak around Sept 28-30. Views from Mt. Zion are big and some of the best in the Western UP, always worth it to take in the views no matter the season. The color is pretty patchy yet but you can see the color starting to become visible now especially on the hills, next week the color should start filling in pretty good after a bit of cool evenings this week. Outside Ironwood to Ironwood there are a fair number of trees with color but still pretty patchy, but you can see as your driving some color happening on some of the hills.

Northern UP - Overall: 25-60%
The hills are alive with color, the lower regions are a bit green still. Upper Regions of Keweenaw county are showing about 40% color and up to 50% color. Regions closer to Lake Superior less color, around 20%-30% color. Copper Harbor views along the Lake Superior off of Brockway Mtn Drive are still pretty green looking back at East Bluff. Color starts to shift more into yellows with a few oranges heading westward along the Rocky Ridge near Keweenaw Mtn Lodge and looking out towards Lake Medora. Westward views off Brockway Mtn Drive are patchy but some color is starting to appear, and less color as you wind your way back to Lake Superior shoreline. The drive along US41 back from Copper Harbor to Calumet is pretty nice right now, by far not close to peak yet, but there are some good colorful patches along the tunnel drive before things open up in Delaware. Along Lake Superior from Lac La Belle to Gay it isn't very colorful, really spotty but there is color appearing, but you can see those yellow hues starting to pop, some reds in the swamps along the roadside, but many of the leaves have wilted already from the warmth of summer. Around Houghton and Hancock along the Portage Canal color is about 25%, you'll see more color starting to appear this weekend with our cool evenings coming, look for about 35-40% color by this time next week and possibly more. From Painesdale to Donken the color is really progressing, far from peak yet, but this is one of the stretches that is first to hit peak in the Upper Peninsula. Heading out to Agate Beach and Misery Bay the color is starting to appear, lots of trees that are pretty colorful now. Heading south on US41 from Houghton to Chassell has about double the trees this week with good color starting, the stretch of highway between Chassell and Snake River Hill has some nice reds, but they are starting to loose their leaves and the leaves aren't as bright as years past. The 4 lane stretch of highway after the turn to Arnheim is pretty colorful but it is so dull and leaves have already made their way off many of the trees. If you are coming onto M38 from M26 Ontonagon way back to Baraga you'll see a decent amount of color starting but there's lots of poplar and birch that have dull yellows, not many maples were turning yet as of early last week when I last took this stretch, should been some good color starting this week with the cold temps hitting us in the evenings. Outside L'Anse heading towards Covington Jct you've started seeing the colors start popping and each day we should see more and more, this stretch usually turns peak pretty quickly and leaf loss happens soon after. Covington Jct to Bruce Crossing there is a good color progression, you'll see much of it before you get to far west, but there is some good patches of color along the way. Out into the Huron Mtns color is really looking good higher elevations better color but still plenty of green, but much of the canopies have nice color, the understory is starting to turn in many places as well. My views from some peaks in the Huron Mtns earlier last week were nice but color was really patchy close to Lake Superior and better more southernly views, overall 30% or so to the north and south hitting 40-50% color but patchy. Views from the Arvon plane crash site looking back to the north as of Sunday color was a bit better with much being 40-50% color no matter where I looked. The drive to Mt. Arvon was one of the more colorful sections of roads I have been on this last week, peak should be very soon.



Central UP - Overall 25-50%
Near Big Bay color has progressed into the 30% range, there's some patches along Co Rd. 550 and 510 that are closer to 45-50% but there's still lots of green and the understory is still green yet. If you head further west out of Big Bay towards Eagle Mine along AAA road on the mountain bluffs you'll now see color starting to push through but it is mostly dull oranges and yellows. Backroads like AAA to Ford Rd and Northwestern Rd have lots of color now, it's a pleasant drive for those with 4x4 vehicles, if you have one you might want to take these roads this week. Back towards Ishpeming, Negaunee, and Marquette color is a bit slow, wasn't to many places that were at 40%, most of the color was in the 25-30% range, but higher elevations and interior portions towards Greenwood Reservoir and Champion the color was starting to pop, but still lots of green, with the cold nights coming, expect it to reach 40%-60% by the beginning of next week. South along Co Rd. 581 there isn't a lot of color compared to last year, lots of dull color and dried up leaves. Co Rd 480 had some nice reds outside Negaunee all the way to M35 Jct but much of it was pretty dull orange and yellow, but a few nice reds. Views off Mount Marquette were really green as far as I could see, 20% at most as of Wed last week, probably about 30% now and by the weekend into next week we should start seeing some decent color starting to show. I would say the same for Sugarloaf, color is around 20% in the surrounding areas, this will be peaking most likely closer to the beginning of October and into the first few days of October views will still be nice. Areas near Munising off the lake are starting to turn color now, but only seeing around 30%, some areas are starting to reach 40%.

Eastern UP - Overall 20-40%
Eastern UP is heading towards 30-40% in many places, those closer to Lake Superior don't expect to see peak for another 2 weeks, but interior you'll notice some good color starting. Areas off M28 near Seney are pretty dull, usually there's some good reds early on but those seem to have burned up and wilted. Any of the roads heading south from M28 to US2 don't have a lot of color yet, most was off 77 between Seney and Germfask. US2 near Cut River bridge is starting to see some color, usually this is a nice stop for many, a ritual for some. If you are off Lake Michigan you'll see more color interior but only patchy color along US2 all the way to the Mackinac Bridge, still pretty green, but some areas have 30% or 35%. Around Brevort Lake there's some nice colorul trees but still more yellowish hues. I75 from St. Ignace up to the Soo you'll see spotty color lots of leaves ready to turn though, some decent patches of color outside Rudyard and just north of St. Ignace. M123 north between Allenville and Eckerman Corner there is plenty of tree starting to turn, still pretty green but a pretty nice drive, and if you are heading up to Tahquamenon Falls state park then it would be a good route for you. If you want to continue north to Paradise and to Whitefish Pt you won't see much color this week, but wait for another week until you take this drive. Color between Newberry and Seney was ok, but not real colorful yet, most of the color I was noticing was closer to McMillan.

Southern UP - Overall 20-35%
From Rapid River to Menominee color wasn't to good yet, but there are some trees showing off early. Some of the backroads outside Escanaba had some nice colors. From Escanaba all the way over to Iron Mtn color was starting to show, more color was seen closer to Iron Mtn as you head west on US2.



If you enjoy these Fall Color Reports and it was useful to you please considering helping me by donating any $$ amount it helps ensure I can keep traveling the UP to bring you FunintheUP and keep promoting our beautiful part of the world. You can also join the FunintheUP Membership program on Facebook. Also consider booking a UP Guided Tour with myself Yooper Steve off-the-beaten-path adventures in the beautiful UP of Michigan at upperpeninsulatours.com
Thanks for following the FunintheUP UP Fall Color Report, 8 years running.


Share your fall color photos fall @ funintheup.com or just message the FunintheUP facebook page.

Thanks for following the U.P. Fall Color Report, check back weekly for updates.
--Yooper Steve - U.P. Tour Guide::Photographer::Filmmaker

FunintheUP on Instagram - FunintheUP on Facebook
Yooper Steve Instagram - Yooper Steve Facebook - SteveJurmu.com




Upper Peninsula Fall Colors, Michigan 2021 Week 6

Upper Peninsula of Michigan Fall Colors Report

Week 6, Aug 30th- Sept 5th

Fall Color Reports by Yooper Steve :: Sept 6th, 2021 :: Comments
Welcome to Week 6 of the Upper Peninsula Fall Color Report in Michigan's beautiful Upper Peninsula.
What is bringing on the lack of good color progression this year you may ask? It has been dry and hot, this doesn't make for good color, we have seen less than 3 inches of rain in much of the UP this summer from July 1st to Aug 29th. We are seeing creeks, rivers, and ponds that normally have water on any given summer totally dry up with not a drop of water. What rains we have been getting have been soaked up quickly by the plants and trees and being used for energy to sustain growth of them, no reserves left, no ground water to pull from. Check out the US Drought Map.

Color Change Average as of Week 6: 25% color

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Western UP - Overall: 20-30%
Well folks, things are starting to look more colorful in the Western UP. We will start with the Ironwood area, areas near the Black River from Copper Peak are showing 20-30% color, things are still really green but looking closely you could see lots of good patches of color, still plenty of green yet. There has been some reports of very nice color off Powderhorn ski hill, a drive by there would be nice this week. Further down US2 towards Wakefield you will see a fair amount of trees with some color, but lots with yellow hues about to turn soon, maybe with another nice few days of cool nighttime weather will bring out some bright colors. Along US2 to Marinesco color isn't that good yet, not a lot of color popping up yet, didn't make it up to Wolf Mtn but maybe this next week. Near Lake Gogebic you can see some oranges, some trees with reds you could see some leaf loss. Usually some good patches of Color right off M28 in Bergland but it hasn't gotten good yet. Along CoRd 519 up to S. Boundary road into the Porkies you'll see some decent color change but not seeing the reds as in prior years, seeing some trees that had some reds but they're drying up. Through the Porkies things are still pretty green, lots of trees with those yellow hues so another week should expect to see some color really starting to pop. Views from Summit Peak and Lake of the Clouds are showing some color albeit spotty right now.

Northern UP - Overall: 20-40%
US 41 from Calumet to Copper Harbor is progressing nicely with color, some color on the stretch from Mohawk to Delaware is showing up pretty good now, still pretty green but you can see the nice progression. Cliff Drive is still pretty green yet with a few spotty color patches. The covered drive from Delaware to Copper Harbor on US41 has some trees with some good yellows, oranges, and a few reds popping out as you drive. Won't see much from Brockway Mtn Drive yet, still really green with a few patches of yellows starting to show this past weekend. East towards Copper Harbor is mostly green and moving westward towards Lake Medora the views will show a bit of color starting to pop out, a few yellows showing. Give it about 2 weeks and color should be getting real nice from Brockway Mtn Drive. Around Houghton and Hancock the trees along Portage Lake and canal are only showing some hues of yellow, a few oranges can be seen. Along the roadsides along M203 and M26 are starting to show some color on the trees but there's some leaf loss going on too. Houghton to Chassell has plenty of color starting to show, expect this week to really start popping on this stretch. From Painesdale to Toivola color has been progressing nicely, this past week it really starting to pop especially when you are driving east towards Houghton you will notice it more. From Toivola to M38 Jct there is some good color but more on the Houghton county side than areas west of the county lines. M38 from M26 Jct all the way to Baraga is pretty dull right now, only noticing a few colors, mostly those yellows, birch trees are showing a bit of yellow, the poplars are dull, maples here and there showing some color change. From Chassell to Barage there isn't much color to see, but there is a lot of leaf loss going on. Around L'Anse there is plenty of color starting to appear, US41 around Alberta there is color starting to show, not much though around Plumbago lake though. From Canyon Falls to Covington Jct there are some nice color changes. The Huron Mtns color is looking good, higher elevations you are seeing more color, roads like Arvon had some good yellows and oranges with occassional red. Was some decent red color right around Quartzite falls last week, but it was less as there was leaf loss this weekend there. L'Anse to Skanee was noticing some color on the hills and bluffs as your driving. In the backwoods heading towards the Rock Cut there were some open areas showing the bluffs at Mt. Arvon you could see plenty of color change happening, another week and it should be good. Didn't make it up to Arvon this week, but this coming week hopefully I'll be able to check on the progression.



Central UP - Overall 15-25%
Marquette area is starting to change, but more interior portions near Ishpeming and Negaunee and color along CoRd 510 had some nice color starting. If driving north on 510 you'll see more color right away than further up towards Big Bay, there was some decent color on those open areas through the trees, but lots of green leaves under the canopies. Around Big Bay, the color was pretty light, views off Gobblers Knob were pretty green but you can see those yellows now, a few reds were seen and a some oranges, more towards the SW off Lake Superior though. CoRd 550 had some reds showing, but more yellows and oranges.

Eastern UP - Overall 15-25%
Eastern UP is a bit slower right now to change, but it has had a bit more rain that the western UP and northern UP. A few colors starting to pop up on 94 from US41 to M28 to Munising. M77 from Seney to Blaney Park was showing a few yellows and not many maples are displaying color yet. Areas near Cut River bridge had a few colors but nothing exciting yet. Far eastern UP there is spotty color down most backcountry roads and along US2 to the Bridge. I75 north to the Soo could see a few reds, yellows, and oranges, some leaf loss, but not seeing to much change yet, pretty spotty still.

Southern UP - Overall 10-20%
Pretty green yet in areas around Iron Mt to Escanaba but there are some trees starting to change.



If you enjoy these Fall Color Reports and it was useful to you please considering helping me by donating any $$ amount it helps ensure I can keep traveling the UP to bring you FunintheUP and keep promoting our beautiful part of the world. You can also join the FunintheUP Membership program on Facebook. Also consider booking a UP Guided Tour with myself Yooper Steve off-the-beaten-path adventures in the beautiful UP of Michigan at upperpeninsulatours.com
Thanks for following the FunintheUP UP Fall Color Report, 8 years running.


Share your fall color photos fall @ funintheup.com or just message the FunintheUP facebook page.

Thanks for following the U.P. Fall Color Report, check back weekly for updates.
--Yooper Steve - U.P. Tour Guide::Photographer::Filmmaker

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Upper Peninsula of Michigan Fall Colors Report

Week 5, Aug 23rd - Aug 29th

Fall Color Reports by Yooper Steve :: Aug 29th, 2021 :: Comments
Welcome to Week 5 of the Upper Peninsula Fall Color Report in Michigan's beautiful Upper Peninsula.
Sorry for the lack of updates the last few weeks, lots going on in life. I have still been traveling the UP analyzing the fall colors, this is the 8th year of the FunintheUP Fall Color Report.
What is bringing on the lack of good color progression this year you may ask? It has been dry and hot, this doesn't make for good color, we have seen less than 3 inches of rain in much of the UP this summer from July 1st to Aug 29th. We are seeing creeks, rivers, and ponds that normally have water on any given summer totally dry up with not a drop of water. What rains we have been getting have been soaked up quickly by the plants and trees and being used for energy to sustain growth of them, no reserves left, no ground water to pull from. Check out the US Drought Map.
The color is out there, we are running about 5-10 days ahead of last year on color and peak color isn't looking very good this year. Granted the Upper Peninsula has the best fall color in the entire US but compared to years past it will leave a lot of people disappointed, but only disappointed if you were told it was going to be the best year ever for fall colors. So still plan your trips but just don't be expecting to see bright color this year and those glorious reds are few and far between this year, any I have seen have been on the backroads and on atv trails. Much of the leaves on trees along the highways are already wilting, brown, dull yellow, and orange, very few bright colored leaves this season. If we do get some rain (5-8 inches) and we see the perfect progression of warm daily temps and cool evenings for the next week and a half we might just get some good bright color by the end of Sept. If this happens we may also see peak be reset back another 5-10 days from what I am listing below for each region below, view the regional reports below.
Color Change Average as of Week 5: 20% color

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Western UP - Overall: 20-25%

Lookout views from the Porkies, Mt. Zion, and Bald Mtn I am seeing some dull tree canopies, not noticing any good sections of reds showing up at this time and most likely won't anymore. Progression into oranges, however very dull has started nicely along Black River Rd, M28 between Ironwood to Wakefield. You'll notice the birch trees turning color already, the poplar tree leaves are just ugly looking as they are wilting, the ones along open fields and along the highways. You have to get into the interior portions of the Ottawa National Forest to see some brighter colors, where things are a bit wetter in the deeper woods along ponds and rivers. S. Boundary Rd through the Porkies is starting to turn, again things are pretty dull and dingy right now, hoping to get some nice color along this stretch. Around Bergland and Marinesco there are a few nice colors appearing but again pretty dull.

Northern UP - Overall: 15-25%

Michigan's Keweenaw had some good color starting along US41 the covered road from Delaware to Copper Harbor, this is actually a real nice drive right now, color is a bit dull but there is plenty of color appearing now. Views from Brockway Mtn are real green yet with some color starting to appear, not seeing any reds this year, most likely won't see many with it being so dry, reds come and go quickly, if you want the reds, try the backroads like Mandan rd to Horseshoe harbor, or Central road from Eagle Harbor cutoff rd to US41. Taking 5mile point road isn't showing a ton of color, pretty spotty still an occassional colorful tree pops up but not the brightest. Around Houghton, Hancock, Dollar Bay, Lake Linden what color has been showing up has been really dull, lots of dead leaves falling off the trees, and lots of leaf loss in the forests, it has just been so dry.



Central UP - Overall 10-15%

Not much color to report, things are still very green. You will see some trees with leaf loss and some reds here and there, some oranges are starting to appear. Lots of of the birch are starting to get a bit dried up, deeper in the forests off the highways you'll see some decent colors appearing. Views from Mt. Marquette and Sugarloaf are really green you can see some hints of color changing but not enough to really notice yet.

Eastern UP - Overall 10-20%

A bit of rain we have seen the last couple weeks has helped the eastern UP, it is a bit wetter than the western UP so expecting the eastern UP to be a bit better with color this year, color should be a bit brighter, and not much different than last year. Don't expect to see to many reds though and you'll probally see those yellows on the birch and poplar drop a bit quicker. Around Munising color is still pretty green.

Southern UP - Overall 10-15%

Still really green any color appearing is dull, we shall see how next week shapes up.



If you enjoyed these Fall Color Reports and it was useful to you please considering helping me by donating any $$ amount it helps ensure I can keep traveling the UP to bring you FunintheUP and keep promoting our beautiful part of the world. You can also join the FunintheUP Membership program on Facebook. Also consider booking a UP Guided Tour with myself Yooper Steve off-the-beaten-path adventures in the beautiful UP of Michigan at upperpeninsulatours.com
Thanks for following the FunintheUP UP Fall Color Report, 8 years running.


Share your fall color photos fall @ funintheup.com or just message the FunintheUP facebook page.

Thanks for following the U.P. Fall Color Report, check back weekly for updates.
--Yooper Steve - U.P. Tour Guide::Photographer::Filmmaker

FunintheUP on Instagram - FunintheUP on Facebook
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Upper Peninsula of Michigan Fall Colors Report

Week 1, July 26th - Aug 1st

Fall Color Reports by Yooper Steve :: Aug 2nd, 2021 :: Comments
Welcome to Week 1 of the Upper Peninsula Fall Color Report in Michigan's beautiful Upper Peninsula.
Fall is coming, the signs have started, leaves are falling already and color has been appearing on the trees for a couple weeks now. The temperatures have been hot for much of June and July, add in the lack of rain and we are seeing lots of trees stressed from this. Each year around this time we usually start seeing those early colors so really this isn't very early to start seeing a bit of color, but it is slightly more than usual because of the lack of rain the last month and a half.

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Western UP - Overall: 0%

In the Western UP you will see a few colors starting to pop up around Ironwood and Wakefield. Views from Copper Peak and Mt Zion you can see some tree tops turning yellow but you have to really look close. Along Co. Rd 519 from the Porkies a few colors are starting to appear, trees leaves are really starting to wilt a bit on some.

Northern UP - Overall: 0%

Outside of Houghton on M26 to Lake Linden you're starting to see some trees with color. US41 to Chassell there were a couple trees that had a some color. Along US41 from Hancock you'll see some trees starting to get some color after Quincy Mine to the airport and after the airport all the way to Calumet you'll see a few trees with a little color too. Heading north along US41 up to Copper Harbor you are starting to see plenty of color starting to appear if you are you paying attention you'll see them.



Central UP - Overall 0%

A few trees spotted with color along Co. Rd 492 from Marquette to Negaunee. Up on Mt. Marquette I didn't see any signs of color change below.

Eastern UP - Overall 0%

You'll see a few trees here and there starting to get some color but with the little rain the area has seen is helping to keep things a bit more green than the western and northen areas of the UP.

Southern UP - Overall 0%

Haven't gotten any reports of color but not surprised as this area is slower to change than the northern areas of the UP, plus there has been a decent amount of rain the last couple weeks to keep things green and stopping things from starting to burn up.



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Thanks for following the U.P. Fall Color Report, check back weekly for updates.
--Yooper Steve - U.P. Tour Guide::Photographer::Filmmaker

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Disclaimer: Keep in mind this report is a guide and in no way is it totally inclusive of every spot for fall color in the Upper Peninsula. I drive hundreds of miles each week across the U.P. viewing the fall colors and it is physically impossible to be in all places and analyze every area. The best times to come up for fall color if you weren't even to pay attention to the fall color reports would be the last 4 days of September and the first 4 days of October. Keep in mind color change happens slowly along Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake of the Clouds overlook, Brockway Mountain, Pictured Rocks, Whitefish Point, Mackinac Island, and Drummond Island. Some of these areas can be two weeks behind the interior portions of the Western UP, Northern UP, and Central UP. Also the Southern UP can be up to 1 week and in some cases 2 weeks behind as well. If you wait until after October 10th any year you will almost always be viewing mostly browns, yellows, and a few remaining trees with little color left. It isn't to say after October 10th there isn't nice color, but historically after Oct 10th peak color season is usually done for.

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