09/07/2024
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TAKE IN THE COLOR ON THE RIDGE
Cooler mornings and evenings feel like Fall is just around the corner!
FALL COLOR IS COMING SOON!
Here’s a handy map produced by the Appalachian State University Dept of Biology to get us thinking about the changes to come. This map differs from most other such maps because it combines the effects of both elevation and latitude on fall color, whereas most other maps simply use elevation alone. It is only an approximation.
SEPT 29th - OCT 9th ⬇️
At the highest elevations, close to 6,000 feet there is some color, but it's often very spotty and muted. The views from these locations will be mostly green, since the areas viewed are lower elevations. Areas that turn early in this date and elevation range include Graveyard Fields and Rough Ridge.
OCT 13th - 20th ⬇️
Peak time for areas above 5,000 feet. This would include: Clingmans Dome, Grandfather Mountain, Mount Mitchell, Waterrock K**b and Graveyard fields (the first location on the Parkway to turn) and higher elevations of The Blue Ridge Parkway (between Asheville and Cherokee) and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
OCT 24th - 31st ⬇️
Peak time for elevations from 4,000 - 5,000 feet. This would include almost all Blue Ridge Parkway locations and the majority of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park as well. Included in this elevation are the Boone and Blowing Rock areas.
OCT 24th - 31st ⬇️
Peak time for lower elevations, from 3,000 - 4,000 feet. This would include places like: Pisgah National Forest which includes Sliding Rock and Looking Glass Falls, Dill Falls, Wildcat Falls, and many other waterfalls. Other ares include Linville Gorge, Nantahala Gorge, Maggie Valley, and Cataloochee Valley.
NOV 1st - 10th ⬇️
Peak time for elevations from 2,000 feet - 3,000 feet. This would include: The cities of Asheville, Brevard, Waynesville, Cherokee, and many others. Places of interest include Dupont State Forest and Biltmore Estate, and Cades Cove.
NOV 14th - 28th ⬇️
Peak time for remaining elevations, including Gatlinburg, TN, Chimney Rock NC, Lake Lure and remaining lower elevation mountains. This includes Chimney Rock as well, a great place to see Fall color.
🌲👉 For those who want a short (< 500 words) summary of the state of fall leaf colors as they progress here in the mountains of western NC during the season, they also post their weekly observations for you to follow along HERE: https://biology.appstate.edu/fall-colors
