NC fall Leaf Color Report: 10-12-11

October 12, 2011:  NC Fall Color has reached peak on Grandfather Mountain and at the highest elevations in the High Country. The upcoming weekend should see peaks in other areas with broad color continuing throughout the end of October and perhaps November in the lowest elevations.

"This year has been a real guessing game with respect to how brilliant and intense the colors will be, but based on the drive I took on Saturday, I’d say this year’s colors rank 9 on a scale of 10, where 10 is the best it can be. So, if you want to see some great fall foliage, this is the year to do it!" said Howie Neufeld, Ph.D. and "The Fall Color Guy" - also Professor of Plant Physiology at Appalachian State University in Boone NC.

In Asheville NC color is still building with dogwoods, Virginia creeper, sourwoods and maples starting to turn, but up on the Blue Ridge Parkway toward Pisgah, there is much more color, including a lot of trees that turn yellow (magnolias, birches, hickories, striped maple).  This year there are plenty of bright reds mixed in with the yellows and oranges, making for a very vibrant color scene. Leaves on the Parkway around Asheville should peak this coming weekend.

Highlands NC color is spectacular with still a fair bit of green, but healthy doses of bright oranges, reds, and yellows mixed in. Birches, red maples, dogwoods, buckeyes, and sassafras are all lovely! Virginia Creepers are highlighting bare rock faces and numerous tree trunks with their deep red leaves. At lower elevations in the area colors are still moving toward their peak.

In the Franklin NC area,  the hills are still mostly green, but are turning color rapidly, especially high up. However, oaks and many hickories aren't turning much yet, which means most hillslopes are still mostly green with some spots and strips of color.

There is still plenty of availability in NC cabins and vacation rentals to enjoy  the beauty of the fal color in the mountains. CLICK HERE for a list.