Fall Color Thread

Moderators, it's time for a stick thread with peak color at Graveyard about a month off.

I'll start off by saying that I was in Little Switzerland last Tuesday and Wednesday and did Parkway South. Several people including some in Asheville have reported burned leaves/early color at the lower elevations and I've certainly seen such around Knoxville.

However, the Parkway looked great, even much better than NC 19 over to Asheville from Spruce Pine. Leaves were green and healthy, tent caterpillars were not that bad, and certainly not as bad as last year on the north approach to Pisgah. Graveyard looks good also, with some yellowing of the grass in the open areas, but not unexpected a month from color.

The goldenrod looked decent at Waterock Knob.

Also, the Parkway was getting moisture from TS Fay which should help. No violent wind, just a good rain.

However, even as low as NC 19 there were signs of heat like browned leaves, and the tent caterpillars were so bad in areas that it looked like snowy branches. But as before, these symptoms did not extend to the Parkway.

Keep in mind the Parkway is closed between Craggy Gardens Picnic Area and just before Mt. Mitchell, and will be through fall. Mt. Mitchell is accessible from the North on the Parkway.

Good luck everyone!!

Cheers,

Steve

From what I can tell from Raleigh, it's been quite a dry summer in the mountains. I don't have enough experience to know what that might mean for fall color. Anyone want to make somewhat of a forecast (I won't hold you responsible one way or the other ;-) for the Parkway and/or GSMNP?

I'm not sure dry makes that much difference. last year was landmark dry, but the colors on the Parkway were excellent 9although less down low). Someone has said that increased carbon dioxide levels are more responsible for good color than wet or dry. Interesting thought.

Steve

Hiked Elkmont yesterday 9/18 as a after-work hike; nothing happening there yet, but then you wouldn't expect anything. Woods look good, some falling late summer leaves, water volume low as normal and expected.

Cheers,

Steve

Steve, I really appreciate your updates here. Thanks for taking the time to post them.

I am planning a trip out to GY Fields area and Bubbling Springs on or around 10/10. Hopefully, I won't be too late for those areas.

Reds, which always appear first in my neck of the woods, are just starting to come out here (near Blue Ridge, GA), about 1,800 elevation.

Believe it or not, the forest margin dogwoods around here are really starting to pop (Raleigh area). Must have been the cold snap over the past week. . .

Folks,

I took a long weekend 9/27-9/29 and did Shennandoah and Blue Ridge North, down to Little Switzerland. In a sentence, things are proceeding normally and the woods look pretty much normal. All in all, this between-the-season time a very pleasant time to be in the mountains; not too many people, weather very nice (except for the remnants of the tropical storm going up), and nature seems to be quietly holding its breath for the show soon to come. I really like it.

The first part of the southbound journey was cool and dark as the last of the rain passed over, just the kind of weather that makes you want to crawl into your tent and sleep for a week. Yesterday, the sunny afternoons just made you want to find a nice place and watch the light change with the hours, but I couldn't do that and get home for work on Monday.

I saw turkeys, two bears, and a mind-boggling number of deer.

The only place real color is starting to show is on the exposed ridges very near the top of Grandfather and the surrounding slopes, and I wouldn't call it photogenic yet. In other places, some decent color can be had in exposed road cuts or on very exposed and drier places on ridges.

Abbot Lake at Peaks of Otter needs about 2-1/2 more feet of water in it, so if you were planning on a fall scene of the lake and peaks, you might want to reconsider unless a hurricane passes through. You can get a nice shot of a john boat next to what appears to be a field though.

Price lake looks fine.

There's scattered color from various vines and shrubs, the sourwoods are turning dusky maroon in preparation for their brilliant red, and some early maples that turn that dark red color are turning. I shot a cabin with one on 8x10.

Anybody checked Graveyard? Peak could very well be this coming weekend.

Cheers,

Steve

Folks,

As an addendum to the above report, gas seemed plentiful and prices were all over the place. Prices down here around Knoxville were at $3.49 even along I-81. In between, $3.69-3.79 were normal, then back to $3.49 around Front Royal. There was one "band" of $3.99 gas that seemed to last for only about 10 miles around Stuart VA IIRC. Go figure. And it wasn't a metropolis or a nowhere either, pretty much the same as everywhere else.

Gas on Skyline Drive and the Parkway, where you can still get it, was consistently $3.99 a gallon, but Parkway gas has always been considerably more expensive. Considering the time to drive off and refuel at some crossroads while you're trying to keep a photography agenda, it's probably worth it although the preferable method is to fill the tank when you're in town for restocking or sleeping.

Cheers,

Steve

Steve,

Thanks for all your wonderful information. I was going to suggest posting some of these points of interest on google maps....but after several attempts maybe someone who is more comfortable (Matthew) could do this for some of our new members. Just a suggestion.

Thanks again Steve!

You're welcome Harold, glad to oblige.

Steve

HELLLOOO,

It's October the third, where are Nye, Jerry, Harold, Lori, Leanne, Jim, Richard, Thomas, etc?????

Cheers,

Steve

http://www.ncwaterfalls.com/ Got this info from Rich Stevenson's site and thought some might like to see it . 10-4-08
''The fall color season is upon us! I just got back from the Graveyard Fields area of the Blue Ridge Parkway and the color is excellent! If you can go in the next few days, I don't think you will be disappointed. Go early for the best light and before the herds of people arrive. The color between The Pisgah Inn (near where I get on the Parkway) and Graveyard Fields is spotty with a very few peak trees. Once you get to the place where you can see Second Falls off to the right, the reds and yellows really pick up with a lot more peak trees along the trails. I started along Yellowstone Prong, then met a friend on the trail. We left Graveyard and headed up to Black Balsam Rd, left her vehicle at the Art Loeb Trail, then continued in mine to the parking at the end of the road. We first headed up to the Sam Knob summit for the excellent views. There was color along the trail and on Sam Knob, but the views to the lower elevations were still mostly green as expected. Back to the parking area where we picked up the Ivestor Gap Trail. There was excellent color here! Before Ivestor Gap, we cut back to the right up this section of the Art Loeb and up to Tennent Mountain. The 360 views were outrageous today with a lot of peak color to be seen. We then continued on Art Loeb to Black Balsam ...

I'm panicing at when I can get up to Graveyard Fields!!
I know the tippy top slopes of Grandfather Mtn are showing color-color reports are found at

http://www.grandfather.com

Got back last night from a couple of very windy days in the Dolly Sods area of WV. The maples and blueberries at the top and northern end of the plateau were approaching peak, with other less spectacular species still showing some green. Here in the Max Patch area we've had two light frosts and are seeing the first blush of color in the higher elevations while the slope behind the pond (which always goes first) is moving into the moderate color range. I'd say we're on track for peak color right around the traditional peak of October 15 to 20 unless this warm spell slows things down.

I'll be heading into other parts of the NC high country over the next few days and will try to report back. Thanks for the good info so far!

Lori

I just returned from a 4-day backpacking trip to the Grayson Highlands/Mount Rogers area of SW Virginia. Fall color is 70-80 percent along the high ridges and changing rapidly. Even some of the lower elevations are getting some good color as well. Maples are scarlet red and blazing. Hope this is a good sign for other areas this fall as well.

I'll be at the BRP/Graveyard area this week and into the weekend. I'll try to post some reports.

I hiked out on graveyard fields on 10/1/08 and the color was very near peak. I'd guess that this week should hold some very promising photo opportunities. Here is a shot that I took on the lower part of Upper Falls.

Yesterday I hiked up to the top of Mount Pisgah and the color their was off and on. Most places near Mount Pisgah was just starting to show color, very few trees were at or near peak. Here are some pictures from that hike: Picture 1 Picture 2 Picture 3. The last one is strait out of camera, but I think that I need to decrease the saturation as it looks unnatural.

The color on the parkway closer to Waynesville (hwy 23/74) is showing a lot of yellow. I have not made any further south past Waynesville on the parkway yet, but I've heard from other people around the area, that the color is starting to show good their too.

Hello Steve,

Just got back from camping at Roan Mtn with the family. Did not get to explore much ...but I did hike up on Round Bald Sunday morning. Not really the place to shoot any fall stuff. The last two miles of road on Tn side has some excellent color. Shot a few abstract fall shots. Just messin around with motion and extended exposures.
I will be doing some recon this week around East Tn, and maybe a run up on the Parkway if we get some overcast later in the week. Where ever my journey takes me I will reply here when I return.

Thanks for the roll call!

ps: Last time I saw Jerry...he was pulled over at Jacks Grocery -Roan mtn 2 weeks ago with a dead truck battery. Had to give him a jump start. Don't know if he made it back.... :

Well, if he didn't make it back, he's probably getting enough calories to survive at Bob's Dairy Barn.

Cheers,

Steve

I just returned from 4 days of shooting in the potomac Highlands of West Virginia. The color is really good this year with lots of reds and orange. In Canaan Valley and Blackwater Falls state Park the color is at about 40 -50% peak with the higher elevations at 60 -80%. Dolly Sods is in good shape and much of the Heath Barrens have turned red. i will be back down in the area leading a photography workshop from the 10 -14. I will post a color update this Friday.

here is an image from the Rorbaugh Overlook on Dolly Sods. Joe

Good looking posts Fellas!!. I'll be on the BRP Weds in the Graveyard Fields area :-)

Anybody have color reports from Smoky Mtn National park? I'm heading down that way next week from Wisconsin, hoping to catch some fall colors around the area.

Suggestions on where to go are always appreciated.

Thanks much,
Kevin

Kevin,

I should have a report for you before long, but "the Smokies" range from 6,000 feet plus down to river bottoms near 1,100 feet. In typical years, color in the river bottoms and Cades Cove (low) peak around the 25th (varies considerably year-to-year), while the high country peaks a week or ten days earlier. Next week I'd be looking for color along Sugarland mountain and the higher portions of the Carolina side, and the Clingman's Dome road for the early part.

But in reality I'd be looking at the Parkway south for the early part of next week. You'll have more territory at "elevation" that supports color. Linville Falls and the Grandfather Mountain area, particularly the Tanawha trail, Rough Ridge area and Boone Fork area holds good promise.

Then I'd head for the river valleys in the Smokies late in the week hoping for color at Tremont, Elkmont, and Greenbrier.

Cheers,

Steve

Steve,

thanks much for the suggestions. I won't be down in the area until next thursday, so hopefully things will be looking pretty good by then. I will have to get my maps out and check on the areas you mentioned, I'm not that familiar with the land surrounding the park itself...

Thanks again,
Kevin

Ok today's weather made Graveyard Fields a complete bust :-(
On the BRP going North from Beacon Heights to the viaduct the colors are gorgeous on the left side of the road and the rightside which are the valleys and overlooks are starting to turn.
Linville Falls: the Linville River seen from the BRP has reds,oranges and yellows all the way up to the visitor center but next to the falls the color is just starting -needs a litle more time.

Thanks Leann!

I scouted Tremont today (10/8) for Alice, and it's not there. If you can pull a comp out of a single colorful tree or frame some water with a colorful branch, you can get something but don't go out of your way - yet. There are no shots from the bridges. I can do it because I'm close enough to swing by after work, but if you are not, then don't, at least not for that "high fashion" nature photography. That said, it is a very nice time of year to be out in the woods, and nature is always beautiful and photogenic, at least to me. I don't think the true beauty of this "before fall" season is well captured in anyone's body of work.

Tremont apparently got quite a bit of wind recently, and I noticed semi-lenticular clouds draping (blowing down) over the peaks of the Smokies from my vantage on the Foothills Parkway. Wind increased as I approached the Smokies, but this was obviously the end of it and it soon subsided. But there are a lot of dead branches, small green-leaved twigs, and a tree or two down which indicated they had substantial wind.

The first pull-off on the Foothills Parkway West has some potential, but the sumac isn't red enough yet. The second pull off won't work; the sumac is red but too high, and they've routed the road through the parking area to shore up the bluff on the other side so the "sidewalk" is right on the traffic lane. No thanks.

Cheers,

Steve

I just got back from a week on the BRP visiting a ranger friend in Doughton Park. That area is turning very nice, could see changes every single day, should be very nice by now. Boone area was a hit or miss color, will be great in a few weeks. I came home thru Grayson Highland/Damascus area and its very pretty. Lots of great color, not peak yet, but very soon. Still lots of great color over water, did get some great water fall shots.Will be hitting Grandfather Mtn and other areas near Asheville in the coming days.

I think the best surprise was in Damascus, gas was $3.09. I paid $3.89 in Boone and anywhere from $3.69 - 3.99 in Sparta and Winston Salem on my recent trip. Here in Johnson City, its $3.28. Here's to hoping it will keep going down as we get closer and closer to the best fall color peaks.

Cindy,

Thanks for the report! I think we should all include gas prices and availability this year in our reports as we roam the highlands.

Cheers,

Steve

Color around the margins of Jordan Lake is starting to really pop in places, particularly at the north end.. Banks of the Haw river on US-64 are very shootable right now. I expect the Eno river is probably nearing peak right now.

Folks,

I did the west end of the Smokies (well sort of, I avoided the Cades Cove loop with its 2-3 hour-for-11-miles traverse among massive herds of tourons), staying on the West Prong trail to campsite 18 and the Schoolhouse Gap trail up to Schoolhouse Gap (where else, right?).

The West Prong trail goes into deep sheltered woods, and those are - green. There is some color on the drier exposed ridge tops developing everywhere as normal, but the lower elevations away from roads and rivers that allow trees to receive more exposure are still green as expected.

The Schoolhouse Gap trail is developing more color as it climbs a drier, more open ridge, and unlike the hardwoods on the West Prong Trail, the pine-oak woods let in more light. But it is a ways from peak yet.

All this is as expected for what seems to be a semi-normal year.

Cheers,

Steve

I was out a bit Sunday (10-12-08) morning, mostly green around here yet with patches of color. Drove about 4 miles along Little Shepherd trail above Whitesburg, starting to show some at that elevation(2000+) but still a lot of green. Did see a mama bear and 2 cubs up there so all was not lost...didn't get any shots though.

You beat me to it Harold. Leann and I were in the same area yesterday and I totally agree with all you said. A ranger told us Price Lake was perfect peak Sunday, looked so so yesterday. Lots of leaves on the ground and still lots of green mixed in with the colors. Some areas were really popin', but it wont last long. Most look a dry color. Rough Ridge was nice color. We hiked ALL the way up to a huge rock overseeing everything. My first time there, but certainly not the last.

I was out near Unaka Mtn drive this morning. Didn't go all the way because I was in my car and the gravel road got rough and then I realized this is the area most suggested a truck or suv was better. So I turned around. Lots of nice color still out there, but lots of leaves on the ground.

I just heard from my ranger friend in Doughton Park area on the Blue Ridge Parkway where I was last week. Its almost peak there, but like here, once it comes, the leaves fall off fast. So no lasting color.

At least gas is falling too! Last i checked in East Tn area it was $2.74, but that was 2 days ago, so hopefully its lower. NC still is almost a dollar higher than here.

Thanks to everyone for all the reports and keep them comming please. I will be heading up to Brevard on the 21st for three days so this could help pick out some likely spots.

Bruce

I visited the Blue Ridge Parkway from southwest VA to Grandfather Mtn, NC on October 11-12. Color was very good on some portions of Grandfather Mtn. Deep reds were visible on Grandfather when viewed from Beacon Heights and a few other locations. Some patches of excellent color near the Tanawha Trail above Rough Ridge. Price Lake was at peak color during this time. Moses Cone Park had some decent color and some green. Off the BRP, the hillsides around Boone and Blowing Rock were very close to peak color with lots of orange. Previous posters have mentioned that Grandfather and Price Lake are now past peak which is what I would have expected.

Last weekend, Doughton Park still had a lot of green in most spots but there was some bright color on about 20-30% of the trees there. I think this weekend will be the best weekend to be there.

Along the parkway between Doughton Park and Moses Cone Park, good color was developing but the peak appeared to be at least several days away. It may be near peak now.

Most locations in the southwest Virginia stretch of the Blue Ridge Parkway had no more than 40-50% color. However, there were a few very shaded, deeply wooded areas that were near peak with lots of yellow. I think this coming weekend will be the best weekend to be there.

Folks,

Grandfather is at or very near peak 10/16, color is good all the way to Blowing rock where I stopped. Linville Falls is good, but there's brush in the foreground from the plunge basin overlook, but will be shootable with a little cloning. Or bring a very tall tripod and a stepladder.

Cheers,

Steve

!0/17/08
Visited Cataloochee valley GSMNP(10/16/08) and the colors are gorgeous! Also only heard the herd bull bugle-not the bachelors but it was still(always) a treat to see the elk.

Folks,

10/17: Grandfather area and the approach to Mitchell (from the North of course) are peak. Go now if you want them. Price Lake well past. Linville still good. Heading for Rough Ridge tomorrow a.m. if the weather accomodates, then to Asheville and South on the Parkway.

The weather has not been good to me so far, but any trip on the Parkway is great. I got out of the car just North of Mitchell, great gobs of swirling cloud, color, and mist, and before I could get it set up (like 3 minutes), it was a gob of white undefined cotton. Would have been good as black and white or color.

Leaves are falling, but the front has been kind so far. Frost is forecast for Boone tomorrow night.

Regular gas is $2.67 at Wally World in Spruce Pine which is typical, except for Blowing Rock where it is still well over $3 a gallon.

Cheers,

Steve

10/18: Color at Graveyard still very, very good and shootable except for interfering tourons. Wait till 10/20. Color at Black Balsam is past peak.

Devil's Courthouse showing good color, shot a "stock shot" there.

I'm home and planning Max Patch for Sunday if the weather looks good since the tourons won't dirty their Eddie Bauer Editions on unpaved roads. If not, I'll probably hit Parkway South Monday.

The bottom of the Smokies are still green as viewed from exit 451 on I-40, which is Big Creek.

As last year, the color at Graveyard is long lasting and the lowland color late.

Avoid gas in Waynesville. In fact, avoid Waynesville, they're having a fall festival and the main drag is closed and traffic is ... well you have been warned. If you're coming off 276 or 215, head for Canton and not Waynesville through 10/19.

Cheers,

Steve

I wrapped up my fall workshop here at Max Patch yesterday. We had some great color and weather. I'd say the Patch is now past peak for the brightest reds and yellows, especially the area behind the pond and parts of the Buckeye Ridge, but there are still lots of greens in the area and it should be shootable for at least another week.

Many of the trees right along Cold Springs Creek have already lost or are losing their leaves and the creek is blanketed with leaves. Beautiful, although water flow is very low. There are still lots of greens down there though and I expect the good color to continue for a while.

Anybody been to Linville Gorge or the Wilson Creek areas yet?

Lori

Linville Gorge still has another week to go (I was there yesterday). The higher ridges are starting to look pretty nice but down in the gorge is mostly green with a smattering of yellows.

Thanks a million, Richard! Just what I needed to know.

Lori

On 10 -18 I travelled the Parkway from 276 until it ended near Cherokee. Colors up to about 5,000 ft. elevation were great.
Above that were past peak.
Planning photo treks on 10-23 and 10-24. Richard, where will you be shooting on those days?

I was in the High Country on 10-20 and 10-21. At about 3200-3500 ft and above, color was past peak in most areas from Doughton Park to Grandfather Mtn. Many of the leaves up there have fallen. However, there still was enough color for some good photo opportunities. Locations below 2500-3000 feet still had a lot of green color.

Folks,

10/24: Little River Road from The "Y" to Elkmont is not looking good; it's not at peak (still a week or so off), and there's lot's of brown, withered leaves. Elkmont is the same up the trail for a mile, but the brown leaves decrease a little as you go up and exposure is less. I'd estimate peak on the Little River Trail is 5-7 days away.

I did not do Tremont, but would expect peak in 5 days or so. The last time I was there about 2 weeks ago I did not see a lot of brown, withered leaves, so there's some reason to hope for good color there.

I'm also curious about Greenbrier and especially the road to Ramsay Cascades. Anyone been there recently?

Cheers,

Steve

I was in the Smokies yesterday and it was disappointing.

There is color up high along 441 on the NC side but the Tenn side looks horrible. The rivers look terrible (bare and brown) but there was a bit of color in Greenbrier up near the terminus at Ramsey Cascades. I didn't stick around long enough to see anything else.

As usual, there is good color along the Foothills Parkway - East. Lots of vibrant reds and oranges.

I did a big loop this past week, covering areas from Davidson River Valley to down near Cashiers, Highlands and Whiteside Mountain to up around Linville and Grandfather. There were pockets of good color here and there but nowhere looked like peak. Highest elevations are past peak as expected and mid-range elevations had a lot of leaf drop combined with some color and plenty of green still. The margins along creeks and rivers seem to especially have a lot of leaf drop with the birches, beeches and sycamores going quick. All in all it doesn't look like a good year, but there are still some good opportunities out there. Just have to work harder to find them.

Lori

I just returned from a CNPA outing. Exciting color at Dupont and surrounding areas of Brevard. The rain on Friday made the Hooker and Triple Falls very picturesque.

There's snow (and high wind) at my house this a.m. Good ole mountain weather!

Lori

Anyone know the status of leaf color at Whitewater falls? Never been there and would like to make a journey if it is still a viable trip this year.

Autumn color at Whitewater Falls should peak this week. I was there on the 23rd and green was the still the dominant color.

Linville Gorge=Peak this past weekend