The call of Fall

Just a few weeks after the autumnal equinox, the sunlight wanes, the air cools and the leaves turn shades of orange, yellow, red and brown.

Southern Nevadans who are hoping to catch a glimpse of the fall foliage -- whether it be a Sunday drive, a day of hiking or a weekend getaway -- can head to recreation areas within four hours of the valley.

The Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, also known as Mount Charleston, is 45 miles northwest of Las Vegas in the Toiyabe National Forest. Take U.S. 95 north, and turn off at Highway 157 (Kyle Canyon Road).

The mountains are covered primarily with conifers, but Aspen and other deciduous trees can be spotted.

The Mary Jane Falls trail in Kyle Canyon and the Bristle Cone Trail in Lee Canyon comes highly recommended to those who want to see close-ups of changing leaves. Maps for the specific trails can be picked up at the visitor center, on Highway 157, just past the Mount Charleston Hotel.

With the exception of the Deer Creek picnic area off Highway 156, all public picnic areas and public campgrounds on the mountain are closed for the winter. Camping outside of public campgrounds is allowed with a permit.

Warm clothing is recommended for trips up the mountain. Cooler temperatures can be expected in the early mornings and late evenings with sub-freezing temperatures at night.

Mount Charleston Lodge, at the top of Kyle Canyon Road, is open 24 hours. Visitors can warm up around a wood-burning fireplace with a cup of hot chocolate. The bar is open 24 hours. Food is served from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Log cabins are available for rental seven days a week.

During October, the lodge hosts Oktoberfest. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, visitors can feast on Brats, knockwurst, sauerkraut, potato pancakes and imported German beer while listening to the sounds of German music.

Mount Charleston Hotel at 2 Kyle Canyon Road is another option for overnight accommodations.

The cooler temperatures and changing colors makes autumn the best time of the year to visit Zion National Park, the park's assistant superintendent Eddie Lopez says.

Located in Southern Utah, the 147,000-acre forest and canyon area is about a three-hour drive from Las Vegas. Take Interstate 15 to exit 17, just north of St. George, Utah.

The leaves begin changing near the end of this month or the first part of November. There are a number of scenic drives through the park. Highway 9 runs all the way through the canyon.

There are also a number of hiking trails in the area, four campgrounds and 500 hotel and motel rooms in the nearby town of Springdale.

Maps for picnic areas and hiking trails are available at the visitor center on Highway 9, one mile past the south entrance.

About 30 miles north of Zion National Park is Cedar City, Utah, which lies at the base of Cedar Mountain and the Dixie National Forest. The Dixie National Forest has red sandstone formations, canyons and a variety of trees, including Aspen, Rocky Mountain Maple trees and Gambel's Oak trees.

There is a 25-mile scenic drive on Highway 143 that runs from the town of Parowan (north of Cedar City), past Brian Head Ski Resort to Panguitch Lake.

There are trails open for mountain bikers and hikers. Most campgrounds are closed for camping, but can be used for day picnics.

About 160 miles southwest of Las Vegas is the town of Lake Arrowhead, Calif.

Nestled in the San Bernardino Mountains, Lake Arrowhead is surrounded by dogwood trees, aspens, maples and oak. A scenic drive on connecting highways 189 and 173 and North Bay Road wraps around the 14 miles of Lake Arrowhead shoreline. Scenic drives through the mountains can be taken on Highways 189 and 173.

The San Bernardino National Forest has 538 miles of hiking trails, including the Pacific Crest Trail, a which runs from Mexico to Oregon.

Lake Arrowhead is 10 miles from the town of Big Bear Lake, a year-round resort town. There are more than 90 lodging facilities in Big Bear Lake and more than 20 facilities in Lake Arrowhead. Most campgrounds in the area are closing for the winter. The Serrano campground on the north shore of the Big Bear Lake stays open year-round.

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