Thanks for starting the thread Steve. I'm anticipating a great fall this year - much cooler and wetter summer than the past several years. I'm planning a long weekend Oct 22 - 25 to get out and shoot as much as possible. No firm destinations yet so I'm open to suggestions.
It's still very early but I've noticed some dogwoods starting the turn and yellowing of some populars here in the lower (1,200 foot) elevation in East Tennessee.
Here in the foothills of north-central Virginia, dogwood, black gum, birches (I've spotted a few that have turned completely yellow), and Virginia Creeper are starting to show color. I've even noticed a few maples showing color in their tops. This all started within the last week or so, so fall is definitely on its way.
Thanks,
Philip
Posted by Julie Hatvany on September 29, 2009 at 7:17 AM
Does anyone have any advice on timing for the East TN,Western NC, GSMNP area? I have heard that fall color may be earlier this year.
Thanks,
Julie
Posted by Bobby Callaway on September 29, 2009 at 6:31 PM
I was in GSMNP over the past weekend, everything is still pretty green. The river(s) and creek(s) were really flowing though because there was a lot of rain on Saturday. I'm going back the weekend of the 10-11th and 17-18th. Things should be at peak color by then.
Also, can anyone tell me why this forum gets very little use? I usually read the Rock Mountain forum and those guys post tons of info and pics. I'm fairly new here but I have come to the realization that I can't really rely on this forum for much info because there's so little posts. I'm not trying to offend anyone, maybe the southeast just isn't as into landscape photography as the guys out west.
Posted by Matthew Cromer on September 29, 2009 at 9:10 PM
I've planned an early fall trip along the parkway. I'll be up the weekend of October 9-11. Any suggestions of areas that will be peaking at this time?
Posted by Bobby Callaway on September 29, 2009 at 9:51 PM
Clingman's dome and the road on the way up to the dome should be looking good. Also, Morton's overlook will be a good place for sunsets, since it faces west sunsets are about the only thing this spot is good for.
Also, the river (not sure of the name) but it runs along side the main road is a good place to get some "blurry water" shots. There's also some waterfalls but I'm not sure where they are in the park. I've only been to the park a couple of times so this is all I know although I'm sure there are many more places to photograph.
Posted by Julie Hatvany on September 30, 2009 at 8:04 AM
Thanks Bobby
Posted by Lori Kincaid on September 30, 2009 at 8:59 AM
In the Smokies, Clingman's Dome will probably be past peak by the 10th and 11th, but you should find good color at some of the other higher elevations that weekend. The attached photo was taken September 30, 2007 at Clingman's Dome.
Color should be moving down the mountains to the lower elevations by the 17th and 18th, but low elevation peak doesn't usually occur until after the 20th. Of course, it varies from year to year.
Matthew, your best bet the weekend of the 9th to 11th is probably the Grandfather Mountain/Linville viaduct area. The tops of Grandfather may be past peak, but there's often spectacular color about that time along the Parkway.
Bobby, we have lots of great landscape photographers on this forum. It'd be great if we could step it up this year and do more posting, not just for the regular areas like the Smokies and the Parkway, but also for folks home areas.
Here in my home area at Max Patch we're starting to see some good splashes of color here and there. A lot of the buckeyes and poplars are losing their leaves early, as are some of the early cherries and maples, but I expect our peak to occur about on schedule, around the 15th or a little later.
Lori
Posted by Bobby Callaway on September 30, 2009 at 10:48 PM
Thanks Lori,
I'm not disputing the fact that there are great photographers here, many of which I can't hold a candle to. I would just like to see more activity. I look through the Rock Mountain forum almost every day and those guys are really making use of the forum.
One of the reasons I haven't become a paying member is because I'm not sure how much value I'd get out of it because of the low posting activity. I was sure that when the fall arrived things would pick up here but that don't appear to be the case. I'm just trying to get more activity going, I think it'll benefit all of us and could potentially attract more people to this forum.
Posted by Thomas Biggs on October 3, 2009 at 8:09 AM
Bobby,
I've been a member for many years and in those years I've seen lots of activity and then lulls like we are having at the moment. Can't speak for everyone else but I've had a lot going on this past year, which has added to my inactivity.
Far as the color in southeast Kentucky. I'm starting to see some patchy color here and there. We had our coolest morning of the season this morning....so the color wouldn't be far behind!
Posted by Joe Baltimore on October 3, 2009 at 12:32 PM
I'll have to agree with Thomas. I've never had to wait very long for someone to answer a query of mine here. Lots of helpful folks. I can see why it would appear that we are "inactive", but I'd rather have Jerry Greer, Richard Bernabe, and all the Mountain Trail Press gang out in the field and sharing their experience here vs. a lot of posting of images for critique -- I believe that's what the general forums are better suited for anyhow.
If you have a question about the local conditions, or some experience very specific to a trip you have planned, I would come here first and ask the quesiton. Like I said, I've never seen a query go unanswered very long. This is the most helpful bunch of folks I've interacted with in my 4+ or so years of NPN membership.
Getting back to the fall color theme, I went to Rocky Fork in E. Tennessee yesterday (elev about 2500). There was very little color in the trees. We've had a couple cool nights and the maples are started to turn here at 1,200'.
Posted by Steve Hamley on October 4, 2009 at 9:02 PM
Folks,
I did Hwy 74 at Waynesville up to Hwy 80 just South of Spruce Pine yesterday, 10/3.
Graveyard fields is a dusky red with not much vibrant color yet, I anticipate peak from about Wednesday through maybe the weekend. Unless the front takes the leaves down, in which case peak is now.
There's a very good potential at Graveyard Fields IMO; the streams are usually so low in October you have difficulty seeing them in shots taken from the road. Not this year, those waterfalls actually look like waterfalls.
Bubbling Springs shouldn't be far behind.
Along the Parkway colors are muted but improving, still plenty of asters and goldenrod.
Apparently no frost yet at most elevations, I can still hear the summer "bugs" singing in the afternoons.
Cheers, Steve
Posted by Lori Kincaid on October 5, 2009 at 7:28 AM
I cruised the parkway yesterday from Mt Mitchell to Hwy 215 near Devils Courthouse and concur with Steve's assessment. I didn't see much good color anywhere except Graveyard Fields and the top of 215. It looks like the high winds over the last week or two blew down the first wave of color in the highest country--I saw lots of green leaves on the ground in the Mt Mitchell area--but there are still plenty of leaves waiting to turn.
Color at Graveyard is muted, but that could change over the next several days. I haven't heard anything from the Grandfather area, but right now it looks to me like fall is running a couple of days later than normal.
BTW, we haven't had a frost yet in the Max Patch area.
Lori
Posted by Amy Lindsey on October 6, 2009 at 12:39 PM
Can anyone provide an update for the Smokies- Tremont area? heading down on 10/16 and wonder what color will be like. Do i need to postpone another weekend?
Posted by Steve Hamley on October 6, 2009 at 11:53 PM
Amy,
The 16th is always early at Tremont because it - like most of the larger river valleys - doesn't have much elevation. If you can go only once, I'd wait a week at least. Maybe 10 days this year.
I can probably pop up there in the next couple of days and check.
Cheers, Steve
Posted by Leann Greene on October 7, 2009 at 7:40 AM
I drove by Grandfather mtn BRP area on Monday morning and it was patchy but looking good. The upper parts of Rough Ridge were pretty when not socked in by fog. This weekend should be very nice. Price Lake was muted in colors but they were materializing. Saw only 1 doe and some turkeys.
Graveyard fields -- peak now. Very nice. Hurry! Looking glass falls area -- 1+ week from peak. Linville Falls -- close to peak at the entrance areas, I did not have time to drive in and see the gorge and falls. Grandfather Mtn area -- Stacked Rock trail -- near peak, Rough Ridge top -- peak to slightly past, Price Lake -- 1+ week from peak. Most of parkway between Mt Pisgah and Price Lake 2000 - 4000 feet was about 2 weeks to 1 week from peak depending on exposure. Parkway vistas mostly about 1 to 1 1/2 weeks from peak. I did not go further south than Graveyard Fields or north beyond Blowing Rock. Color was a lot further along than I expected.
P.S. Best color I saw by far was Graveyard Fields -- incredible pervasive vibrant color everywhere throughout the bowl and surrounds. . . A good year for that location! But get there in the next day or so. . . Rough Ridge was a bit so-so. . .
Posted by Joe Baltimore on October 11, 2009 at 9:17 PM
Thanks for the update, Matthew. Pretty amazing that it was at peak exactly this date last year, too. I was there last year on 10/10 and 10/11, and was blown away at the color.
Posted by Steve Hamley on October 12, 2009 at 9:10 AM
Thanks Matthew,
I was up 10/11 also and agree with your assessment. Also, Bubbling Springs is near peak right now.
Will be heading up to the Cades Cove area in a couple of weeks looking for some great fall shots. Any advice on where to go and any special place to go to get something special. Thanks,
PS Those going to or looking to go to Graveyard Fields, make sure you hike to the bottom to see the falls. Not real big but some nice shots.
I was up on the Parkway heading South from Asheville yesterday 10-13-09 headed for Graveyard Fields and to my disappointment color has gone. I next head down hwy 215 south and found some nice color all along road and on Bubbling Springs Creek. The cascades were nice also.
Plan (B): Headed back over in my part of the country. Unicoi County and the UNAKA MTN FIRE ROAD. Man.....I hit the "Jack Pot" it is right at Peak on the way up hwy 395/197 starts on 10th street in Erwin and heads up the MTN. Road side is fantastic then we turned left on the gravel road that cuts across the Unaka Mtn range for 11 miles. Lots of Fog and lots of color. More color than anything I saw on the BRP. Rocky Fork Creek should be nice right now also.
Hope this helps for you searching for some shootable material. Better hurry ...it started raining up here last night and has not stopped.
Harold Ross
Posted by Bruce Painter on October 15, 2009 at 11:11 AM
The front coming through here right now has the wind picking up. Could some of you run out a tie some of the leaves on the trees for me. Next week I'll be heading up to Townsend from Tuesday the 20th to Thursday the 22nd and then to Brevard Thursday evening through the weekend. I know for the color I should do that in reverse but I have to leave late morning Tuesday and picked Townsend first for the shorter drive and to be out of there by the weekend. I'm assuming traffic will be pretty bad by then.
Keep the reports coming.
I was on the BRP between Asheville and Blowring Rock 10/12 - 14. Much of the color above 4000' was past. Price Lake was disappointing. I did hike up Rattlesnake Lodge trail on Wednesday morning before it really starting raining and was rewarded with some nice colors in the trees. The parkway between 3000' and 4000' was still nice, but that was before the rain started Wednesday. By the time the rain stops it could be too late for much color on the parkway in NC.
What about Dupont State Forrest? Any reports?
Posted by Joe Baltimore on October 15, 2009 at 9:05 PM
I spent today on the BRP south of Asheville as well -- all above 5000 ft. approx. Nothing up here or down below on the way up made me stop and say, "Wow." -- other than the FOG! Lots of that today which made the trip worthwhile. I'm no expert, but I'm not feeling a "pop-tastic" fall color this year on the BRP.
Hwy 215 (N and S of BRP) gave some opportunities. Although Bubbling Springs is a yawn fest this year. Was just there about 5 hours ago.
BRP gates are shut tight at French Broad River overlook making the trip to the upper elevations lengthy via 280 - to - 276 - to BRP. Rock slide apparently has it closed. Was still locked as of 2 hours ago.
Seek out intimates, the big vistas are not impressive IMHO.
I'm seeking opportunities N of Asheville tomorrow and if that's a bust, I'm retreating to look locally back home for better, more vibrant color.
The best color I saw along the BRP today was in very very young maple saplings -- some of them were brilliant, but I saw nothing bigger that made me want to stop and take pictures of it. Bummer.
Hope you have better luck than me.
Posted by Steve Hamley on October 16, 2009 at 1:56 PM
Thanks Joe,
I'm headed to Little Swizerland/Linville/Crabtree meadows area Sunday and maybe to the Smokies and Cumberland Plateau later in the week. I'll try to keep posting.
Cheers, Steve
Posted by Joe Baltimore on October 16, 2009 at 2:50 PM
Update: The BRP gate that was locked last night at French Broad River overlook was open this morning.
I drove N out of Asheville this time all the way to Hwy 221. The best color I saw while driving (and trying not to drive off the side of the mountains) was between MP 360 and 340. Lots of fog still today at 4700'+ in those areas. Unfortunately, the best color I saw was in the Watershed area where we're not supposed to pull off the BRP, and I didn't, even though I really wanted to on a couple of occasions.
Posted by Joe Baltimore on October 18, 2009 at 10:58 AM
Last post for a bit...
I gave up yesterday, more rain than I wanted to have my gear out in, plus heavy winds blew me off the mountain (figuratively) yesterday.
I noticed some real potential, though, on Hwy 281 N from Hwy 64 up towards Sylva. There seemed to be a lot more red along that path than everywhere else I drove (1200+ miles, egad!). Most other places were muted greens and dingy yellows, it seemed. Maybe I was too early this year?
There was some serious snow up at Pisgah Inn and above at 3p yesterday, but again, the winds were real bad for trying to get out in.
Hope you find something out there that I missed...!
P.S. Check for BRP closures, they seem to be frequent this year due to all the rain. They are closing the road due to potential rock slides. If I was to go again, I'd stick to Hwy 215 and Hwy 281, and that area. Linville and the viaduct looked pretty good as well.
Posted by Steve Hamley on October 19, 2009 at 10:04 AM
10/18: The high country is pretty much gone with high winds last night as the front moved through Linville is problematic, I may hike out today. Weather is cold, blue sky, and windy.
The Unakas got snow so I'm expecting a post from Jerry if he still even visits us....
I was hopng Grandfather got snow on top and it did, but most was on the west-facing side, and not much was visible from the Beacon Heights overlook.
So it's time to get down.... lower. In spite of the wind, the leaves at lower elevations seemed to have stood it well, and there's still a surprising amount of green lower down.
Cheers, Steve
Posted by Steve Hamley on October 20, 2009 at 8:23 PM
Folks,
AVOID I-40 west of Asheville (either direction)for the next several days!
I did two night (10/18 and 10-19) in Little Switzerland to visit friends in the vicinity and shoot. I left Little Switzerland to day and headed south.
Everything went pretty well down to Asheville. I stopped on the approach to Mt. Mitchell and shot Hawksbill and Table Rock from an overlook, a rare opportunity. You could see detail in ridges to the horizon. I was shooting 8x10 B&W so the dreaded "blue sky of death" didn't apply - it's a rare opportunity to see this far, although some interesting clouds would have been very welcome.
At the French Broad river, there was a barricade on the Parkway just as Joe Baltimore said there might be, because of a landslide. So since it was early, I thought I'd go west on I-40, do 74 up to the Parkway and go south to the Smokies, or go to the Foothills Parkway and scout the western Smokies.
It turns out they're paving I-40 in Asheville, and from I-26/I-40 junction, it took me 1 hour to go 15 miles. They had three lanes squeezed into one, no shoulder, and that lane stopped periodically.
So that derailed my plans, and if that hadn't, the Pigeon River Gorge was -- yes -- GREEN! No color at all to speak of, so I wouldn't expect any in the low river valleys of the Smokies. So I went home and did the wash and am getting ready to go out Thursday, or possibly back to work and take off next week when conditions down low are a little further along. I may go to the Cherohala since it has altitude equivalent to the Parkway in many sections. FYI, it's a state road, and unlike the Parkway, they don't close it when someone sneezes on the road (like they did last night/this morning), so winter shots can be had if you're prepared.
But there is 80%+ green sumac across the road from Crabtree Meadows! The southern slopes are still green too.
I've occasionally seen peak down low into the late first week of November, and this may be one of those years.
Colors seem muted in general.
Cheers, Steve
Posted by Randy Lawson on October 21, 2009 at 11:49 AM
Steve
I will be heading to KY on Friday and will be traveling to Ashville. My directions tell me to Take exit 4A on the left to merge onto I-26 W/US-19 N/US-23 N/US-70 W toward Unc Ashevillie/Weavervillie
Continue to follow I-26 W/US-23 N
Will I run into this mess you discrible for will I miss it?
Posted by Steve Hamley on October 21, 2009 at 8:32 PM
Randy,
If you're coming from the West you'll hit it; if from the East you won't, or not much of it. If you're coming from the West, take I-81 and then exit 34 (I think, the Greenville exit) and navigate over to Erwin, TN where you'll pick up I-26. It isn't that much longer (about 30 minutes more travel time).
If you're coming from the East, there are a variety of alternatives but you probably won't need them unless you hit Asheville around the rush hour. I'd likely take the Parkway noth and get off at the gap where the road goes down to Weaverville and pick up I-26 there.
You might want to call and find out the status.
Good luck, Steve
Posted by beth summer on October 23, 2009 at 6:29 PM
Hi All...I hail from central Illinois. Fall is just about at peak here and I'm looking to go south the first week in November for some more fall shots. Looking at western Kentucky. How's the foliage usually around the first November week? Thanks for any info you might have.
Posted by Joe Baltimore on October 24, 2009 at 3:22 PM
Just in from an RTP, NC cruise around today. There's a lot of potential up 15/501 North of Durham, and up Creedmoor Road all the way to Creedmoor, NC. All around Falls Lake is looking good as well. The colors I saw were vibrant and varied...there's a lot of reds, oranges, and yellows happening right now.
Looking good in the Triangle this year.
Posted by Jack Riley on October 24, 2009 at 5:40 PM
Thanks Joe. I am planning to get out to Falls Lake tomorrow morning. This is my first chance to get out there in over a month
Jack
Posted by Robin Neville on October 26, 2009 at 8:59 PM
Was up around Looking Glass Falls, NC and Pisgah Forest Sunday. Brilliant color, but almost over there too.
Posted by Steve Hamley on October 27, 2009 at 7:22 PM
If you want Smokies, go now. 10/27
Cheers, Steve
Posted by Steve Hamley on November 6, 2009 at 2:18 PM
Folks,
I'm going to try and post a brief fall recap for future reference when people are trying to schedule trips. Keep in mind that the "recap" will not be accurate for all locations.
Color in the high country (Graveyard Fields, Grandfather area) peaked in 2009 around the beginning of the second week of October, say the 8th or so and was shootable from the 6th - 12th. Color was not good probably because of +15" of rain and an extremely warm and wet September. Fall was not dry; very, very wet.
On the night of October the 17th, a front with snow took down most high country color to around 4,000 - 4,500 feet, below which was green. The Unakas were the only mountains I saw with good color in the mid to higher elevations around the middle of October.
Low country color peaked around the 27th of October. Color was relatively much better than the high country but still about an average year. Localized color could be very good or mediocre. Color in the Tennessee River valley remains shootable in very small and spotty locations on November 6th.
Discussion
41 repliesTime for a sticky thread for fall!
There have been some reports of small maples turning early in the high country, but that's about all I've heard so far.
Cheers, Steve
It's still very early but I've noticed some dogwoods starting the turn and yellowing of some populars here in the lower (1,200 foot) elevation in East Tennessee.
Thanks,
Philip
Thanks,
Julie
Also, can anyone tell me why this forum gets very little use? I usually read the Rock Mountain forum and those guys post tons of info and pics. I'm fairly new here but I have come to the realization that I can't really rely on this forum for much info because there's so little posts. I'm not trying to offend anyone, maybe the southeast just isn't as into landscape photography as the guys out west.
Also, the river (not sure of the name) but it runs along side the main road is a good place to get some "blurry water" shots. There's also some waterfalls but I'm not sure where they are in the park. I've only been to the park a couple of times so this is all I know although I'm sure there are many more places to photograph.
Color should be moving down the mountains to the lower elevations by the 17th and 18th, but low elevation peak doesn't usually occur until after the 20th. Of course, it varies from year to year.
Matthew, your best bet the weekend of the 9th to 11th is probably the Grandfather Mountain/Linville viaduct area. The tops of Grandfather may be past peak, but there's often spectacular color about that time along the Parkway.
Bobby, we have lots of great landscape photographers on this forum. It'd be great if we could step it up this year and do more posting, not just for the regular areas like the Smokies and the Parkway, but also for folks home areas.
Here in my home area at Max Patch we're starting to see some good splashes of color here and there. A lot of the buckeyes and poplars are losing their leaves early, as are some of the early cherries and maples, but I expect our peak to occur about on schedule, around the 15th or a little later.
Lori
I'm not disputing the fact that there are great photographers here, many of which I can't hold a candle to. I would just like to see more activity. I look through the Rock Mountain forum almost every day and those guys are really making use of the forum.
One of the reasons I haven't become a paying member is because I'm not sure how much value I'd get out of it because of the low posting activity. I was sure that when the fall arrived things would pick up here but that don't appear to be the case. I'm just trying to get more activity going, I think it'll benefit all of us and could potentially attract more people to this forum.
I've been a member for many years and in those years I've seen lots of activity and then lulls like we are having at the moment. Can't speak for everyone else but I've had a lot going on this past year, which has added to my inactivity.
Far as the color in southeast Kentucky. I'm starting to see some patchy color here and there. We had our coolest morning of the season this morning....so the color wouldn't be far behind!
If you have a question about the local conditions, or some experience very specific to a trip you have planned, I would come here first and ask the quesiton. Like I said, I've never seen a query go unanswered very long. This is the most helpful bunch of folks I've interacted with in my 4+ or so years of NPN membership.
I did Hwy 74 at Waynesville up to Hwy 80 just South of Spruce Pine yesterday, 10/3.
Graveyard fields is a dusky red with not much vibrant color yet, I anticipate peak from about Wednesday through maybe the weekend. Unless the front takes the leaves down, in which case peak is now.
There's a very good potential at Graveyard Fields IMO; the streams are usually so low in October you have difficulty seeing them in shots taken from the road. Not this year, those waterfalls actually look like waterfalls.
Bubbling Springs shouldn't be far behind.
Along the Parkway colors are muted but improving, still plenty of asters and goldenrod.
Apparently no frost yet at most elevations, I can still hear the summer "bugs" singing in the afternoons.
Cheers, Steve
Color at Graveyard is muted, but that could change over the next several days. I haven't heard anything from the Grandfather area, but right now it looks to me like fall is running a couple of days later than normal.
BTW, we haven't had a frost yet in the Max Patch area.
Lori
The 16th is always early at Tremont because it - like most of the larger river valleys - doesn't have much elevation. If you can go only once, I'd wait a week at least. Maybe 10 days this year.
I can probably pop up there in the next couple of days and check.
Cheers, Steve
If anyone else is going to be in that area let me know. My cell # is 919 609 8005 if you want to get in touch with me after I leave Friday AM.
http://www.grandfather.com/
Graveyard fields -- peak now. Very nice. Hurry! Looking glass falls area -- 1+ week from peak. Linville Falls -- close to peak at the entrance areas, I did not have time to drive in and see the gorge and falls. Grandfather Mtn area -- Stacked Rock trail -- near peak, Rough Ridge top -- peak to slightly past, Price Lake -- 1+ week from peak. Most of parkway between Mt Pisgah and Price Lake 2000 - 4000 feet was about 2 weeks to 1 week from peak depending on exposure. Parkway vistas mostly about 1 to 1 1/2 weeks from peak. I did not go further south than Graveyard Fields or north beyond Blowing Rock. Color was a lot further along than I expected.
Will post some pics soon.. .
I was up 10/11 also and agree with your assessment. Also, Bubbling Springs is near peak right now.
Cheers, Steve
PS Those going to or looking to go to Graveyard Fields, make sure you hike to the bottom to see the falls. Not real big but some nice shots.
Plan (B): Headed back over in my part of the country. Unicoi County and the UNAKA MTN FIRE ROAD. Man.....I hit the "Jack Pot" it is right at Peak on the way up hwy 395/197 starts on 10th street in Erwin and heads up the MTN. Road side is fantastic then we turned left on the gravel road that cuts across the Unaka Mtn range for 11 miles. Lots of Fog and lots of color. More color than anything I saw on the BRP. Rocky Fork Creek should be nice right now also.
Hope this helps for you searching for some shootable material. Better hurry ...it started raining up here last night and has not stopped.
Harold Ross
Keep the reports coming.
Bruce
What about Dupont State Forrest? Any reports?
Hwy 215 (N and S of BRP) gave some opportunities. Although Bubbling Springs is a yawn fest this year. Was just there about 5 hours ago.
BRP gates are shut tight at French Broad River overlook making the trip to the upper elevations lengthy via 280 - to - 276 - to BRP. Rock slide apparently has it closed. Was still locked as of 2 hours ago.
Seek out intimates, the big vistas are not impressive IMHO.
I'm seeking opportunities N of Asheville tomorrow and if that's a bust, I'm retreating to look locally back home for better, more vibrant color.
The best color I saw along the BRP today was in very very young maple saplings -- some of them were brilliant, but I saw nothing bigger that made me want to stop and take pictures of it. Bummer.
Hope you have better luck than me.
I'm headed to Little Swizerland/Linville/Crabtree meadows area Sunday and maybe to the Smokies and Cumberland Plateau later in the week. I'll try to keep posting.
Cheers, Steve
I drove N out of Asheville this time all the way to Hwy 221. The best color I saw while driving (and trying not to drive off the side of the mountains) was between MP 360 and 340. Lots of fog still today at 4700'+ in those areas. Unfortunately, the best color I saw was in the Watershed area where we're not supposed to pull off the BRP, and I didn't, even though I really wanted to on a couple of occasions.
I gave up yesterday, more rain than I wanted to have my gear out in, plus heavy winds blew me off the mountain (figuratively) yesterday.
I noticed some real potential, though, on Hwy 281 N from Hwy 64 up towards Sylva. There seemed to be a lot more red along that path than everywhere else I drove (1200+ miles, egad!). Most other places were muted greens and dingy yellows, it seemed. Maybe I was too early this year?
There was some serious snow up at Pisgah Inn and above at 3p yesterday, but again, the winds were real bad for trying to get out in.
Hope you find something out there that I missed...!
P.S. Check for BRP closures, they seem to be frequent this year due to all the rain. They are closing the road due to potential rock slides. If I was to go again, I'd stick to Hwy 215 and Hwy 281, and that area. Linville and the viaduct looked pretty good as well.
The Unakas got snow so I'm expecting a post from Jerry if he still even visits us....
I was hopng Grandfather got snow on top and it did, but most was on the west-facing side, and not much was visible from the Beacon Heights overlook.
So it's time to get down.... lower. In spite of the wind, the leaves at lower elevations seemed to have stood it well, and there's still a surprising amount of green lower down.
Cheers, Steve
AVOID I-40 west of Asheville (either direction)for the next several days!
I did two night (10/18 and 10-19) in Little Switzerland to visit friends in the vicinity and shoot. I left Little Switzerland to day and headed south.
Everything went pretty well down to Asheville. I stopped on the approach to Mt. Mitchell and shot Hawksbill and Table Rock from an overlook, a rare opportunity. You could see detail in ridges to the horizon. I was shooting 8x10 B&W so the dreaded "blue sky of death" didn't apply - it's a rare opportunity to see this far, although some interesting clouds would have been very welcome.
At the French Broad river, there was a barricade on the Parkway just as Joe Baltimore said there might be, because of a landslide. So since it was early, I thought I'd go west on I-40, do 74 up to the Parkway and go south to the Smokies, or go to the Foothills Parkway and scout the western Smokies.
It turns out they're paving I-40 in Asheville, and from I-26/I-40 junction, it took me 1 hour to go 15 miles. They had three lanes squeezed into one, no shoulder, and that lane stopped periodically.
So that derailed my plans, and if that hadn't, the Pigeon River Gorge was -- yes -- GREEN! No color at all to speak of, so I wouldn't expect any in the low river valleys of the Smokies. So I went home and did the wash and am getting ready to go out Thursday, or possibly back to work and take off next week when conditions down low are a little further along. I may go to the Cherohala since it has altitude equivalent to the Parkway in many sections. FYI, it's a state road, and unlike the Parkway, they don't close it when someone sneezes on the road (like they did last night/this morning), so winter shots can be had if you're prepared.
But there is 80%+ green sumac across the road from Crabtree Meadows! The southern slopes are still green too.
I've occasionally seen peak down low into the late first week of November, and this may be one of those years.
Colors seem muted in general.
Cheers, Steve
I will be heading to KY on Friday and will be traveling to Ashville. My directions tell me to Take exit 4A on the left to merge onto I-26 W/US-19 N/US-23 N/US-70 W toward Unc Ashevillie/Weavervillie
Continue to follow I-26 W/US-23 N
Will I run into this mess you discrible for will I miss it?
If you're coming from the West you'll hit it; if from the East you won't, or not much of it. If you're coming from the West, take I-81 and then exit 34 (I think, the Greenville exit) and navigate over to Erwin, TN where you'll pick up I-26. It isn't that much longer (about 30 minutes more travel time).
If you're coming from the East, there are a variety of alternatives but you probably won't need them unless you hit Asheville around the rush hour. I'd likely take the Parkway noth and get off at the gap where the road goes down to Weaverville and pick up I-26 there.
You might want to call and find out the status.
Good luck, Steve
Looking good in the Triangle this year.
Jack
Cheers, Steve
I'm going to try and post a brief fall recap for future reference when people are trying to schedule trips. Keep in mind that the "recap" will not be accurate for all locations.
Color in the high country (Graveyard Fields, Grandfather area) peaked in 2009 around the beginning of the second week of October, say the 8th or so and was shootable from the 6th - 12th. Color was not good probably because of +15" of rain and an extremely warm and wet September. Fall was not dry; very, very wet.
On the night of October the 17th, a front with snow took down most high country color to around 4,000 - 4,500 feet, below which was green. The Unakas were the only mountains I saw with good color in the mid to higher elevations around the middle of October.
Low country color peaked around the 27th of October. Color was relatively much better than the high country but still about an average year. Localized color could be very good or mediocre. Color in the Tennessee River valley remains shootable in very small and spotty locations on November 6th.
Cheers, Steve