Winnsboro Autumn Trails
You’ll have to go pretty far east or west in Texas to get brilliant fall foliage, but that’s nothing when the next-closest venue involves a trip to Maine or Vermont. Two areas in Texas are famous for fall color (three, if you count Lost Maples State Park near Vanderpool--which we aren’t since it is a small area and so heavily visited by the tour-bus crowd during October and November that viewing, not to mention parking, can be a trying experience). The other locations are more remote and big enough to offer a choice of routes for sightseeing:McKittrick Canyon in the Guadalupe Mountains National Park and the area around Winnsboro in East Texas.
In Winnsboro, the entire month of October and the first two weekends in November have been devoted to the celebration of autumn (more on that later). This year Texas has been beset by drought, but recent rains may have insured that there will be colorful foliage. It's never predictable--last year, when there was rain, fall made a poor showing in East Texas. Our best advice is to call a week or so ahead (McKittrick Canyon--915-828-3251; Winnsboro Chamber of Commerce--903-342-3666).
Winnsboro's lush scenery owes its splendor to the fact that there is a wide variety of deciduous trees in the area, all of which change colors at varying rates and intensities. Add to that the rich green backdrop of conifers, cypress, and ash and the effect can be breathtaking. First to change are the brilliant red sumacs, followed by creepers, muscadine, and poison ivy. Sweet gum, oak, maples, and elms add tawny gold, rust, and bright yellow to the palette.
Events in Winnsboro reflect nature's enthusiasm during this period:
There are three tours recommended by the Autumn Trails Tour--one to the southeast, one to the south, and one to the northeast. Each are about 30 miles and takes about two hours. Call for a brochure.
