Why the Colors? Leaves turn colors when the primary pigment of chlorophyll disappears. Chlorophyll is used by plants for food and makes the leaves green. Less and less chlorophyll is produced as the fall season approaches. As the chlorophyll disappears the other pigments in the leaves become visible. These other pigments may be red, brown, yellow or orange.
Use this guide to steer you in the direction of some of the more scenic routes in the central section of the Upper Peninsula and the western half of Hiawatha National Forest.
East Hiawatha
The maple, oak, birch, beech, and aspen provide the reds, golds and yellows. The pines, spruce, hemlock and cedar provide the greens and the lakes provide different hues of blue.
Use this guide to steer you in the direction of some of the more scenic routes in the eastern half of the Hiawatha National Forest in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
