WHEN IT’S TIME TO CHANGE — A pontoon boat meanders across the surface of the Flambeau River Monday afternoon in the City of Ladysmith. The state Department of Tourism reports fall colors in Rusk County are at 75 percent of peak with the best viewing time arriving sometime during the next week. From the Blue Hills in the western part of the county to urban trails and forests to county and state forests north of Hawkins, there are plenty of places for leaf peepers to appreciate.

Fall is full of color in Rusk County

Luke Klink

The state Department of Tourism reports fall colors in Rusk County are at 75 percent of peak with the best viewing time arriving sometime during the next week. From the Blue Hills in the western part of the county to urban trails and forests to county and state forests north of Hawkins, there are plenty of places for leaf peepers to appreciate.

When the peak does arrive, it will only take a sunny day to make the colors really pop.

A representative of the Rusk County Visitor Center and Rail Display in Ladysmith recommended heading for the Blue Hills north of Bruce and Weyerhaeuser. She said south of Weyerhaeuser is pretty, too.

She recommended driving County F north of Weyerhaeuser, and following the County O-Fire Lane loop. She added parts of Rusk County south of Weyerhaeuser also can be beautiful this time of year.

“Get up on a hill someplace, on Christie Mountain or along County F near Weyerhaeuser,” she said. “Get up on a hill. It’s gorgeous.”

The state reports the Winter area is already 75-100 percent of peak with this week likely offering the best viewing opportunities. By comparison, Chippewa County is at 25-50 percent, and peak about 1-2 weeks away.

But sometimes, the big picture can dull in comparison to getting up close and personal with fall color, according to retired DNR Public Affairs Officer Dave Crehore.

“The glory of a fall day is there, but it is condensed into a few birches and a manageable spray of red leaves. In this case, I found that moving in to capture a simple scene was more expressive than stepping back to photograph the forest,” Crehore said.

Up close views of individually colorful autumn leaves can be had almost anywhere — city and country. Just slow down to appreciate all the little things fall has to offer.

Mornings and evenings, when the sun is lower in the sky, the colors seem brighter than mid-day. Also, the reflection of leaves off the calm surface of one of Rusk County’s many waterways — like Murphy Flowage or Perch Lake in the Blue Hills — double the beauty.

“That’s really pretty,” she said.