Family and I are headed back to MN in October. Let this be a warning to BCP locals.

I do have some questions though: What's the typical fall colors appearance time frame? What's the average time frame where the first freezes happen? Sure, I could look up historical data but I prefer storytelling from friends.

We want to do some more touring of the state. I'd like to head over to Grand Rapids, then maybe down through the central lakes area, then out west of the twin cities but Buffalo and Annandale. Going to put some miles on.

Ideal colors in the Eveleth area generally +/- a week from Bilbo and Frodo Baggins' birthday*. First frost highly variable, our first year of marraige in 1980, we rented a low spot in Zim (20 miles SW of Eveleth). Killing frost every month including 21F in 3rd week of June. In our frost resistant location in Cotton, mid September is common.





*September 22nd, aka my wedding day - 40 years coming up!

Zane,

I would think first week of October drifting into second week would be best for colors.

Kurt

Early or late Oct? Flying or driving? Three week variation on color peak depending on location. Late Sept early Oct on the range, mid to late Oct south of Minneapolis. Cold mornings and bright sunny days hopefully.

The PA12 will be on floats until mid to late Oct. Hope we can meet up.

Jake

Zzzz, Fall colors can be anywhere between mid Sept to early October in the northern part of the atate. Heck, I flew through snow fallin on on of the Fall Colors Tours a few years back. This tour was usually the third week of Septemeber. One year it was perfect iming with the peak of colors, the next it was 25%. One never really knows.

I will say, fall is my favorite time of the year in MN!

Warning received.

I have to agree with Kurt & Keith, every year can be different but our fall colors will present themselves between the last week of September and the third or fourth week of October. Whenever the leaves start turning, it always leaves you an excellent sight whether by plane or by car (or boat for you boat people).

You say you like stories, well I took my first cross country solo up to Duluth on the 16th of October a few years back. The colors were fantastic and definitely made the trip extra memorable. I would have loved to have been at treetop level just like the guys do it on the way to Oshkosh. I just wasn't initiated with that type of flying yet. Warning, incoming low quality iPhone pictures. How times have changed!







Notice how subtle the colors are in the cities. It gets nice up north much quicker.



Then last year on the 29th of October, I was flying with my neighbor in his Skylane. Most of the leaves have already fallen, but there were some still standing. It made for a really nice afternoon.



I hope you enjoy your stay!

P.s. My fingers are REALLY REALLY crossed that we will get a flying video of your trip.

That's an idea I am throwing around for my October vacation. It's the 5th-11th. Not sure if I can get the spouse on board to fly out that way. But if we do, it looks like central Minnesota is best for that time frame, eh?

Once you hit the 10th of October pretty much anything can happen. It might be an early freeze or it might be summer for another few weeks. Lakes generally don't freeze over till early December.
Colors will be last week September to 1st half of October moving north to south.

That's gorgeous!

Visit Air Corps Aviation and Fagan Fighters Museum. Drop by Javrons factory and drool over all the exp cub stuff.

MTV

Driving? You're always welcome to stop by either way (air or land) here.
JH

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Leaves are already changing here on Bush Lane, you better hurry! Trundling along on our fourth year sequestered in suburbia and this maple has consistently started turning red mid-July. I should google the scientific explanation for this, but, at times, I’d rather remain in wonderment than bow to the digital conventions of our time.

hardtailjohn wrote:Driving? You're always welcome to stop by either way (air or land) here.
JH

If I was driving, I certainly would. I'd love for my kids to see those Clydesdales. But, we just catch an AlaskaAir flight to MSP.

I’ll get in touch with you and hopefully I can show you around the Annandale/Buffalo area.

Bhawk wrote:I’ll get in touch with you and hopefully I can show you around the Annandale/Buffalo area.

That'd be great!

I will be off from the 2nd to the 22nd of October, if you head north up around International falls, I will be on floats and would be more than happy to meet up and take you for a tour of lake of the woods and area. Maybe even get you onto a few Walleye!!

If Canada will let you in that is

Ian