By NICHOL HOBSON
If you are looking for something to do while the weather is still in that between-summer-and-fall stage, you may want to consider heading to the canyons to see the autumn colors.
The U.S. Forests Service Fall Foliage Hotline reports that the colors in parts of the intermountain region of the country peaked this weekend, making a trip to the mountains to see the leaves well worth the drive.
'I think it's therapeutic to see the leaves change colors in the fall, I especially like when the oak changes and turns red, there's been too much yellow lately,' said Joe Schauerhamer, a sophomore majoring in construction management.
If you are looking for some great places to go to see the fall colors at their best the U.S. Forest Service Fall Foliage Hotline reports the following.
The oak and the maple on the Squaw Peak road have reached their peak and offer endless photo opportunities of the beautiful fall color.
The Alpine Loop and Cascade Springs road has beautiful view of a few changing aspen, bright crimson maple and oak surrounding the Mt. Timpanogos wilderness. The majority of the aspen stands have yet to change, but some of the glittering gold of aspens can be spotted dotting the mountainside.
Hobble Creek foliage is finally gearing up and the Heber Ranger District reports that the Daniel's Canyon area has hit its peak.
'(The leaves are) prettier than I have ever seen, I haven't seen the leaves change colors for a long time since I live California. The leaves there just fall without changing colors, I love it seeing the colors,' said Joni Hawkins, a freshman at UVSC majoring in secondary education.
Fall is spectacular when all of the leaves begin to change. The Internet site 'Fall Foliage on the Web' explains why leaves change their colors in the fall.
'When days grow short (main factor) and nights are cool, trees fail to produce enough chlorophyll pigments. As demand outstrips supply, the leafy green begins to fade. That allows other pigments -- which have been present in the leaf all along -- to show through the fading green.'
According to an Internet article written by Carl E. Palm for the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, 'Rainy and/or overcast days tend to increase the intensity of fall colors.'
Provo has had pleanty of cold and rainy weather recently causing the leaves in Provo Canyon and the surrounding areas to have brilliant color. 'Provo has some of the best leaves I have seen, the canyon has a lot more color than other places,' said Schauerhamer.