Fall Color Outlook for Michigan: Be Patient

Michigan offers some of the best fall-color viewing around, but the seasonal peak may be delayed a bit this year. (Photo via Michigan.org)

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If you’re planning a trip Up North for a fall color tour, be patient. With no hard freeze yet, the annual show may be delayed.

By this time last year, fall colors were showing on the Upper Peninsula, but this year, there is almost no color showing there, according to MLive.com meteorologist Mark Torregrossa.

Some stressed trees in northern Lower Michigan may be showing some color, but for the most part, the trees still look like summer.

Here’s Torregrossa’s prediction on when to go where for leaf viewing:

• Upper Peninsula: Oct. 7-10
• Northern Lower Michigan: Oct. 13-19
• Central Lower Michigan: Oct.16-22
• Southern Lower Michigan: Oct. 24-29

In normal years, colors peak in the first week of October on the U.P., the second week of October in northern Lower Michigan and the last two weeks of October in southern Lower Michigan.

When the colors do peak, here are some of the best bets for fall foliage viewing from Pure Michigan:

Alpena - Gaylord - Mio

This 200-mile route travels from Lake Huron’s shore to a stunning stand of virgin forest, with lots of opportunities for wildlife viewing along the way. In normal years, the colors peak in late September.

Detroit - Algonac - Lake Orion - Port Huron

The home of Motown Sound is the starting point for this 195-mile fall color route that skirts three waterways to the maritime city of Port Huron, and rolls through historic southeast Michigan towns with connections to three pop music stars. The month of October is prime for viewing autumn hues at a variety of parks, and stopping to taste seasonal treats at cider mills along the way. In normal years, the colors peak in October.

Flint - Brighton - Bloomfield Hills

Catch the last spectacular show of fall color in East Central and Southeastern Michigan in October. There is plenty of see and do with the entire family in this loop of 150 miles from Bloomfield Hills, to Flint and back down to the Brighton area. In normal years, the colors peak in October.

Grand Ledge - Hastings - Battle Creek - Eaton Rapids

This 150-mile fall color excursion takes in scenic farm and woodlands, rivers, and a unique geological formation that is about 300-million years old. In normal years, the colors peak in mid- to-late October.

Grand Rapids - Grand Haven - South Haven - Kalamazoo

This fall color tour that takes in all the sights, from city scenes and sand dunes to wineries, farm markets and Lake Michigan sunsets. And don’t forget the camera for this 195-mile West Michigan jaunt. In normal years, colors are best enjoyed from mid- through late October.

Grayling - Torch Lake - Lake City

Enjoy this area’s fall color by car, on foot, or in a canoe. The winding Au Sable River is the perfect waterway to paddle and enjoy the splashes of vibrant color against towering evergreens.

Hillsdale - Homer - Sturgis

Catch the last act of Michigan’s fall color show in the central Lower Peninsula near the state’s border with Indiana and Ohio. Best enjoyed from mid-to-late October in normal yeras, the 155-mile loop travels through countryside known for agriculture, antiques and Amish communities.

Houghton - Eagle River - Copper Harbor

Michigan’s fall colors come first to the trees of the Keweenaw Peninsula, the state’s . Expect a stunning display of reds, oranges and golds that blanket the hills and ridges and forms colorful tunnels on winding two-lane roads. In normal years, colors peak mid-September through early October.

Iron River - Bruce Crossing - Watersmeet

If you’re looking for fabulous fall color, look no farther than Michigan — it’s around nearly every bend in the road. Along the way, take advantage of you-pick orchards, pumpkin patches, cider mills and autumn festivals for a real taste of the harvest season in Michigan.

Ironwood - Silver City - Wakefield

This western Upper Peninsula fall driving tour includes breathtaking vistas, country roads, waterfalls and a chance to walk on the Lake Superior shore. With 90 percent of the area forest covered, expect a sea of reds, oranges, golds, and greens that, in normal years, tint the countryside from mid-September to early October. The colors outlined by the mountains, bluffs, and lakes form woodland rainbows around every bend.

Jackson - Ann Arbor - Monroe

For a dose of Michigan history with your fall color tour, take this 195-mile trip through southeast Lower Peninsula and follow old Indian trails and territorial roads, an early tavern, a battlefield, the hometown of an infamous general, and even a winery or two. The colors along the mostly two-lane highway route are usually best from mid-to-late October.

Lansing - Alma - Ionia

In Michigan’s capital city of Lansing and neighboring East Lansing, Michigan State University, find an arboretum-like campus that bursts into an autumn palette of vibrant reds, oranges, bronze and maize. It’s a good place to begin a 175-mile mid-mitten fall color tour that is best viewed throughout October in normal years.

Mackinaw City - Petoskey - Charlevoix

This Northwestern Michigan fall color tour includes hilly, forested countryside, charming resort towns nestled along the sparkling blue waters of Lake Michigan, breathtaking views, fresh air and colorful wildlife.

Manistee - Cadillac - Ludington

On this 185-mile loop, a great fall color tour adventure depends on great fall color! Make sure you know when the colors will be peaking by checking out the most current fall color conditions. Updates are posted weekly through September and October.

Marquette - Negaunee - Au Train

This central Upper Peninsula fall driving tour includes tree-lined country roads, waterfalls, historic sites and a stunning drive along the Lake Superior shore. Any road winding through the central U.P. will show you trees ranging from a subtle yellows to brilliant reds, usually from mid-September to early October.\

Menominee - Escanaba - Manistique

Again, find you-pick orchards, pumpkin patches, cider mills, and autumn festivals for a real taste of the harvest season in Michigan.

Midland - Harrison - Remus

This tour in the heart of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula usually peaks from early to mid-October. The town-and-country fall color tourdeparts Midland and circles hardwood forests and farmland in four counties. The 160-mile route is dotted with dozens of inland lakes and criss-crossed by the Pine, Salt, Sturgeon, Tittabawassee, Tobacco and Chippewa rivers.

Munising - Newberry - Grand Marais

Mother Nature’s paintbrush gets a workout in Michigan each autumn. Beginning in mid-September her fall palette washes over the Upper Peninsula, complementing the blue-greens of the Great Lakes, and the white birch bark and deep evergreens of forests that envelop miles of quiet country roads.

New Buffalo - St. Joseph - Benton Harbor - Paw Paw

When the air cools at night, lush green leaves change to brilliant jewel colors, turning forests to gold and fields of blueberry bushes to crimson. This southwestern Michigan tour features cider mills, you-pick farms, roadside markets, wineries and quiet hiking trails as you travel.

Oscoda - West Branch - Tawas City

This Michigan Sunrise Side fall color tour includes a scenic drive along Lake Huron, unspoiled wilderness and recreation areas, abundant wildlife, and the River Road Scenic Byway along the beautiful Au Sable River.

Pentwater - White Cloud - Muskegon

This western Michigan fall color tour includes rolling wooded hillsides, orchards with ripe apples and beautiful vistas of Lake Michigan.

Port Huron - Sandusky - Imlay City

In normal years, the cool, crisp air and colorful roadside show staged by changing leaves makes early to mid-October an ideal time for a driving tour through the Thumb of Michigan’s “mitten.” This easy, 130-mile square trip skirts the Lake Huron shore and takes you across farmland and country roads to orchards, cider mills, pumpkin patches and small towns and museums just right for exploring on a quiet afternoon.

Rogers City - Cheboygan - Indian River

Woods and water have always been important to the northeast corner of Michigan’s Sunrise Side at the “Tip of the Mitt.” You’ll see no shortage of either on a tour of the 200-mile triangle that includes the sandy beaches of Lake Huron, rivers and lakes teeming with fish, the only waterfalls in the Lower Peninsula, and thousands of acres of forests. The land that was clear cut during the lumbering boom more than a century ago now offers beautiful fall scenery, usually from from late September to mid-October.

Saginaw - Bay City - Bad Axe - Frankenmuth

The breathtaking splendor of Lake Huron awaits you on this Thumb- area color tour. Other highlights include: Frankenmuth, Saginaw, state parks, farm markets and antique shops.

Saint Ignace - Whitefish Point - Engadine

A driving tour through the eastern Upper Peninsula of Michigan will provide you with a memorable experience. Don’t forget to bring your camera. The wonderful fall colors provide a beautiful backdrop for photographing the beautiful lakes, waterfalls, and lighthouses.