BARING, Maine — In celebration of the arrival of fall and in preparation for National Wildlife Refuge Week, Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge will open its fall auto tour route to the public during the fall leaf season. Beginning Saturday, Sept. 29, and continuing through Friday, Oct. 26, the 4.5-mile long road going to Vose Pond and continuing between Magurrewock Marsh and Magurrewock Mountain will be open to private vehicles.

The auto tour route traverses a variety of wildlife habitats including hardwood forests, forest regeneration areas, wetlands, and ponds.  Vose Pond and many of the wetlands are bordered by bands of brightly colored trees and shrubs in fall. Waterfowl, wading birds, song birds, grouse and birds of prey should be evident, and visitors may be treated to a glimpse of an elusive black bear or moose.

The auto tour route will begin at the intersection of Charlotte Road and Howard Lake Road and end at the intersection of Ice House Road and U.S. Route 1. It will be open daily from sunrise to sunset. The route is a single lane gravel road with pull outs, and is one-way only. Visitors are asked to stay on the designated roads, only stopping to photograph or enjoy the scenery.

Wildlife and pedestrians will be share the route. The speed limit is 20 miles per hour or less. Visitors are urged to use caution when exiting the tour route because of the high speed of traffic on Route 1.

Informational booklets will be available at the beginning of the auto tour route or at the Refuge Headquarters office. For more information, call 454-7161 or visit http://www.fws.gov/northeast/moosehorn/.