Today is warmer than we’ve seen the last week or so and the light is beautiful to get out and see the color! The colder evenings have helped colors progress and the recent rains have fed the trees so the leaves are still hanging on in most places. Light winds and clear nights help deepen the reds and make the oranges and golds pop more, so here’s hoping for more stable, crisp conditions ahead.
We are currently still expecting peak week to happen mid-October. However, there is no need to panic though as leaf change is dependent on elevation as well, so we will continue to see stunning views and color well past our peak week in the gorges and off of the overlooks on the Blue Ridge Parkway. As Grandfather Mountain says, “Peak color toward the summit is usually early October. The lower sections of the park will often peak in mid-October. The views of fall color brightening up the low-lying valleys below can last through October, and possibly beyond.”
Looking at the forecast for the week ahead, today is definitely the best day to get out and view the leaves with tomorrow a close second as a “four golf ball” day. The rest of the week is cooler with scattered showers expected. Plan to get out between showers, and find something fun to do if it rains! This can still be a great time to get out and view the leaves as the clouds and water lend a moodiness to the changing leaves that is fun to catch on camera when possible.
Right now we recommend taking in fall color at Grandfather Mountain and higher elevations on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Our neighbor, Boone, is also showing out great color with all of its red maples changing at the moment. We would also recommend the area around the Linn Cove Viaduct as it is showing a lot of vibrant yellow right now.
We are happy to welcome you right now, and we ask that you help take care of our natural resources and Leave No Trace.
