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W ashington's diversity in the mountains makes for a spectacular fall color display. This vivid show is brought to you by the red vines of the maple and the golden yellows of the alpines. So, pack an extra fleece, your camera and a thermos of hot chocolate, and get ready to fill your lungs with cool, crisp autumn air and take in the wonderful palette of fall color. This list will help you plan your autumn jaunts. Fall color in the state of Washington typically begins in mid-September and often continues through mid- November. Color conditions can change on a daily basis. Before leaving on your foliage-viewing trip, here are some resources to help you get the most up-to-date color status: Fall Foliage Hikes and Sights in Seattle ers and photographers, the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge won't get your heart pounding in an intense hike, but you can walk briskly or leisurely for several flat miles, and the setting feels so tranquil and lovely, you won't mind. November and December bring raptors, waterfowl, geese, and chum salmon into the protected delta. No Frisbees, bikes, kites, or pets—it's a refuge, folks, with endangered species like the Peregrine falcon. Mercer Slough Nature Park: In the middle of Belleuve—of all places—is a gem for nature lovers: Mercer Slough Nature Park offers seven miles to hike, walk, or trail run through Lake Washington's largest remaining wetland. Walk by old greenhouses and stumble on the beautiful Winters House, Bellevue's only space on the National Historic Register and home to the Eastside Her- itage Society. Paddlers can take a rare canoe tour (rent- als available at Enatai Beach Park.) Take home berries or other fresh seasonal produce at the blueberry farm. Franklin Falls: If you're willing to drive as far as Sno- qualmie pass you won't want to miss exploring Franklin Falls. You'll climb just 200 feet over two miles, making this a very easy hike, but if you can maneuver down the last few feet of rocky trail, you'll be gazing up from the base of a 70-foot waterfall. If the final section is too slippery or treacherous you'll still get a lovely view of the falls and the river from above. This fun hike mysteri- ously contains no restroom, so go before you go. Bring your Recreation Pass or a $5 vehicle fee, and definitely check trail conditions for snow and ice. National Park: If you are up for a day long adventure hop on the Ferry and head over to the Olympic Peninsula. Here you can explore the more than 5,000 square miles of breathtaking fall colors - and see a variety of native wildlife. The Olympic National Park is home to elk, cranes and sea otters which can be seen running in and out of the dense forest. The best views in this area can be found along Hurricane Ridge in the national park. • Washington Fall Foliage Hotline 1-800-354-4595 • Pacific Northwest Forest Service Updates • US Forest Service Fall Color Information Parks to enjoy a cornucopia of color and get a little exercise Discovery Park: Maybe the wildest space in Seattle's huge park system, Discovery Park's seven miles of trails take you up to windy bluffs, across open meadows, and directly down to a rocky Puget Sound beach. A learning center, an old lighthouse, an FAA radar facility that looks like a golf ball, and Daybreak Star Cultural Center mani- fest the park's name: what seems like an ordinary in-city day hike becomes filled with unexpected discoveries. 3801 Discovery Park Boulevard in Magnolia. The Visitor's Center is open 8:30–5:00 pm Tuesday-Sunday. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge: An out- standing place to experience nature—birds in particular— as the seasons change lies just off I-5 between Tacoma and Olympia. Little-publicized but adored by birdwatch-