Boise, IDAHO (KBOI) — Fall is a picturesque time of year as Mother Nature changes her colors from rich greens to vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows.
We set out to find some of the best viewing areas for fall foliage in southwest Idaho.
Turns out, some of the best colors are closer than you might think.
It’s that time of year when lush green leaves begin to expose their true vibrant oranges and yellows as deciduous trees all around preparing for the cooler weather.
"What we're basically seeing with autumn and leaf fall is our trees are becoming dormant, they can't tolerate the cold temperatures in the winter time and so it's basically a means for the tree to shut down," said Vicky Runnoe, Conservation Education Supervisor.
The rich hue of green that we see in leaves during spring and summer months is chlorophyll which masks other colors in leaves.
"As the tree begins the process of shutting down, going to sleep for the fall so to speak, the chlorophyll starts to disintegrate and die back allowing these brighter colors to come out," said Runnoe.
If you're up for a drive, head up Highway 55 towards McCall, the riverside along the Payette is full of reds and golds and the splashy pockets of color in the surrounding mountains are stunning.
"Areas to the north where you have a conifer called a tamarack or a larch, they actually do lose their needles in the fall, but they are a smoky gold right before they drop those needles," said Runnoe.
For some residents, their favorite place to view fall foliage is right here in the Treasure Valley.
"I can go up to the mountains if I really need but I can just basically see it out my back door...I find my spots, my favorites around town and I just see those,” said Tara Hilgert from Meridian.
"Actually Boise is a really good place, we have a lot of non-native trees that have been planted here in the valley, and so a lot of those are real colorful fall displays," said Runnoe.
So whether you cruise up a canyon, or go for a stroll down your favorite walking trail, you really don't have to travel very far to take in the vibrant colors of fall.
ncG1vNJzZmihlJa1sLrEsKpnm5%2BifK%2Bx1qxmpaeTlrlww8eeqZ5lpKR6tLHEZqqoraSdxKa%2F02agnZmYpMBursSsq2aekaG5brLOpaCan5U%3D