The 34 mile loop is predominantly ponderosa pine forest and short grass prairie yet a leaf tour on the road can produce some nice photos. Starting at the Game Lodge campground green ash trees line Grace Coolidge creek and have turned yellow but have lost many leaves due to the recent high winds. The winds have sped up the dropping of leaves yet there are places were ash and other trees can be seen in full color. The burr oaks in this area are still dark green and glossy. To contrast the greens and yellow of the trees purple Woodbine vines have climbed high into many trees.

The next four miles of the loop road have scattered windblown cottonwoods and a few green ash trees by the airport. Watch for wildlife until reaching French Creek. This is a highlight for color. Many burr oaks have given in to the fall season while other are holding on to Summer, speckles of yellow are prominent in some trees while others are still quite green. The green ash trees have no doubt felt the fading summer light and present a vibrant yellow throughout the valley.

Farther down the road, a few American elm trees in various hues of green can be found in the drainages. Next, a stretch of prairie where good summer rains produced thick grasses that still have some spots of green under the golden seed heads. The buffalo corrals have received some wind so many trees are stripped yet the ashes still with leaves have, at least for now, a fiery orange tint.

Rounding the corner visitors may want to stop at the trailhead for the Prairie Trail. At this juncture the elms are a stark yellow contrast to the darker oaks. Plus some of the ash trees have the speckles of orange like sparks from a campfire.

Ahead the road will pass the Four Mile fire and a prairie dog town that is still ripe with activity. Eventually the loop mergers with Highway 87 where clumps of birch and aspen trees add new shades of green and yellow. Pass Mount Coolidge and connect with Highway 16A and notice the dry orange colors of the burr oaks as you finish the last miles of the drive.