CHARLESTON - Foresters at the West Virginia Division of Forestry report October is starting out as a colorful month.

Cooler temperatures throughout the state and first frosts in some areas are prompting leaves to change colors quickly, especially at higher elevations.

Leaves in the upper elevations of Preston and Tucker counties are reported to be at 75 percent peak. Recommended drives in these counties include U.S. 50 and West Virginia 92 in Preston County and W.Va. 72 in Tucker County.

Foresters predict the Dolly Sods area of Grant County and the North Mountain and Spruce Mountain areas of Pendleton County will be near peak within the next week. Currently, the Dolly Sods area is estimated to be at 30 percent peak, and the North Mountain and Spruce Mountain areas are reported to be 50 percent peak.

Regional Forester Tom Cover also predicts viewing will be best in counties such as Pocahontas, Randolph and Upshur within the next week to 10 days.

"Most maples have changed, especially in the higher elevations, along with some birches and beech. Yellow poplar also is beginning to change, but oaks are remaining green."

He expects counties in the southern portion of his region, including Greenbrier, Fayette and Raleigh counties, will show their best color within the next 14 days.

Foliage within the Metro Valley and south of it is always the last to change. Currently, leaves in those areas range from 5 percent to 15 percent peak.

In recent years, West Virginia tourism officials have identified 23 byways and backways which offer picturesque glimpses into the Mountain State's history and natural beauty. Two of those are located in the Mid-Ohio Valley, which is expected to peak in mid-October this year.

Spanning the width of the state, the Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike National Scenic Byway witnessed some of the great Civil War battles that determined the future of western Virginia. Begun in 1838, the turnpike followed Indian paths from Staunton, Va., to the Ohio River port at Parkersburg along what is now W.Va. 47.

The Little Kanawha Byway is described as the most accessible of West Virginia's byways, with Interstate 77 at one end and I-79 at the other. The parkway begins in Mineral Wells and mirrors the banks of the Little Kanawha River.

Just across the Ohio River, only one of two annual fall foliage self-driving tours is scheduled this year in Washington County.

The Little Muskingum Fall Foliage Tour will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 17 and noon to 6 p.m. Oct. 18 along Ohio 26 in eastern and northeastern Washington County.

Sponsored by the Little Muskingum Watershed Association, the self-driving tour will feature stops along Ohio 26 in and also features the historic covered bridges along the route, including Hills Covered Bridge, Hune Covered Bridge, Rinard Covered Bridge and others.

For more information, go online to www.marietta.org.

For more information about fall foliage in West Virginia, visit the Division of Forestry's Web site at www.wvforestry.com.