NC Fall Leaf Color for the Week of 9/30/14

   

Asheville and the Mid-elevations: Earlier color than usual is still predicted, particularly in the higher elevations surrounding Asheville's plateau.  9/30/14  ...read more and see INCREDIBLE photos

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park: The peak of the season in this area is generally mid to late October, but the beginnings of change are starting to be seen in the dogwoods which are taking on a reddish cast. At the highest elevations, a variety of trees are also trending red including red maple, sourwood, witch hobble, and sumac. The Virgina creeper vine currently has vivid red leaves, but only dots the lanscape at mid and upper elevations. Leaf color may be weeks away but the mountain wildflowers are at there peak of color with vibrant pinks, purples and reds with more subtle yellows and blues. You'll find the blooms along the park roadsides and at the forest edges. Only subtle changes have occurred over the last week.  9/30/14 ...read the full report and see photos

Southwest Mountains in the Nantahala and Cashiers / Highlands areas: Some of the following trees are in full color - the Virginia Creeper, sourwood, sumac, burning bush - but the color is still primarily green.  Timing for fall leaf color is predicted to by "typical" for 2014, from mid to late October, with higher elevations at the beginning and lower elevation finishing last. Some individual trees are turning producing spots of color amid the dominant green. 9/30/14

The High Country: Fall leaf color is popping up in all areas of the High Country. Peak color is still anticipated to be a few days early this year in the highest elevations, perhaps 10/8-12. Grandfather Mountain probably has the most color this week with the Ashe County forests from West Jefferson to Todd beginning to turn at about 40%, although color is not yet intense. 9/30/14 ....see photos and read more from the biology department at Appalachian State University

Where to find color this weekend: Wild flowers by roadsides and edging forests throughout all mountain areas. Grandfather Mountain along the high ridge and near the Stack Rock parking area. New River State Park has maples (red) and Oaks (yellow) beginning to turn.Linn Cove Viaduct in Linville is bright with yellow goldenrod. 9/30/14