Autumn in Smokies/Blue Ridge Pkwy

I posted this in the main discussion forums, and received the suggestion to post it in here as well.

I'm planning to do some shooting in the Blue Ridge and Smokies this fall. I'm going to go from October 21-Nov 1. I've never photographed either of these areas before, and I hope that I'm not going to be too late for the color, as those dates are unfortunately not flexible.

I've done my share of research on these areas, and I think I'd like to split my time between GSMNP and the Blue Ridge Pkwy/Brevard Area. Does anybody have any tips regarding which order I should visit the areas in? Both areas seem to almost cover the same range of elevation, with GSMNP being slightly higher.

Anyway, I own "North Carolina Waterfalls" by Kevin Adams, and "The Smoky Mountains Photographers Guide" by Nye Simmons (I think.) I've accumulated a laundry list of waterfalls/streams I will be photographing around both locations. As far as it goes for opportunities regarding grand landscapes, I don't have as much information on the Brevard/Blue Ridge pkwy area as I do on GSMNP.

Does anybody have any particular locations they may like to recommend? I'd really appreciate any information about locations, where the best color can be found, nice waterfalls that are often overlooked, etc.

Thanks,
-Alex

Alex--good question, I'll be down there that week too, staying in Asheville. If you get down towards Brevard make sure you drive up along the Davidson River to Looking Glass Falls. There are a number of falls in that area and if you do a Google search they used to have a waterfall map online. If they still have the northern section of the parkway closed I guess I'll head down the southern section to the park. You could also head out west towards Waynesville to Cataloochee to shoot the elk that come down to the meadows to graze in the evening plus there are tons of trails in there to access the streams there. Have a good trip--Larry in Manassas

Larry, thanks for responding.

Looking Glass Falls, among a dozen or so others, are certainly on my list for the Brevard area! I wanted to get up towards Craggy gardens, but the pkwy is closed there. I have also looked into Cataloochee a bit, but it's a good sign to hear the recommendation a second time!

For this trip, I'm choosing to focus heavily on two areas: the Blue Ridge Pkwy/Balsams/Many waterfalls around Brevard, and everywhere but Cade's Cove in GSMNP.

Thanks, and maybe I'll bump into you down there,
-Alex

Alex--keep and eye out for me, I'll be the one with with a Canon DSLR, how many others could there be there--Larry

Alex - you might want to spend a day at DuPont State Forest. It's near Looking Glass Falls and offers several waterfalls. Some are pretty cool!
http://www.dupontforest.com/

Richard

Alex, I own those two books, both good. Kevin also has a new book on wildflower hikes. If you want to cover more than one or two falls in a day, pick ones that don't require much hiking. The most I've ever gotten to in one day was three or four in the Highlands-Cashiers-Brevard area. I have not been to Dupont yet. As for foliage, I am still debating where to go this year. I'm looking forward to a good thread starting in SENP as the season approaches.

You are trying to cover quite a bit of ground. I have shot extensively in both areas and, IMHO, even with 10 days or so to play with, you will only scratch the surface. I would narrow down the areas as much as you can or all you will get are snapshot type photos of all the places you went in mid-day sun. I usually spend 7-9 days in one area or the other scouting locations and waiting for the right conditions. Just my 2 cents.

Although Graveyard Fields is on the Asheville side (between Waynesville and Asheville) of the parkway, you should be able to get some good shots there! There is also 2 a trail that leads to 2 different water falls at Graveyard Fields. Good luck!

Although Graveyard Fields is on the Asheville side (between Waynesville and Asheville) of the parkway, you should be able to get some good shots there! There is also 2 a trail that leads to 2 different water falls at Graveyard Fields. Good luck!

Alex, for the dates you have chosen, some places will be past peak - such as the Graveyard Fields area that Daniel mentions. Stick to the lower elevation locations. Dupont will be good for waterfalls, even if there is low water.

Another nice little side trip would be Saluda, NC. Although Pearson's Falls in the most notable waterfall, ask the locals about the one between downtown and Orchard Lake Campground. Unmarked trailhead and rather steep decent but the view at the end is just as impressive as Pearson's Falls.

Alex,

I'm sure there is no lack of opinion from the group here (that's a good thing!), and here is mine...it's a bit of a rant--where's Jerry G. when I need him?

I've been running up and down the areas mentioned here for the last 4 fall seasons right around the dates you mention, and I've been both thrilled and incredibly disappointed with the landscapes up and down the BRP.

What I've seen happen in just the 4 short seasons I have photographed along the parkway is the wonderful scenery polluted with the dying Hemlock trees. There are huge swaths now muted to an ugly grey-brown with the dead Hemlocks--even with all the absolutely gorgeous fall brilliance all around you, you cannot help but be distracted by the very unattractive grey-brown color of the dead Hemlock trees.

Not to be a doom-sayer or anything, but I would not anticipate you will like some of the wider angle shots along the parkway. In close, however, is another story. There are incredibly beautiful forest scenic opportunities along the parkway. I just happen to really miss the breath taking larger vistas that used to be there as well, and am really disappointed in the ghosts of the dead trees that are left behind now--it just doesn't seem like anyone fought very hard for them...again, I may need an education here, too.

I grew up in TN and have been going to the GSMNP since the early 80s...if that helps my credibility here.

Joe--I did my masters thesis on hemlocks in SNP that were almost 400 years old at the time (1979) and they are all dead now so I agree with you about our loss. Unfortunately, there really wasn't anything that could be done at the time. The Hemlock wooly adelgid has moved so quickly that it really wipes out the trees in vast areas in no time. Also, there was no biological control for it and spraying would have been prohibitively expensive. Some selected groves have been treated experimentally but you jsut can't do that for the entire east coast. There are ongoing studies aimed at finding a biological control that seem promising but they have to grow and distribute enough of them to make it work--again a very expensive endeavor. Hopefully they will get this done before all the seed pool in the forest floor is lost--Larry