Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Fall Color Report From The GSMNP

Fall Color Reports from 2012

September 24
Curry Mountain Trail (Beginning to End) – Some really nice colors on some of the Sourwood, Dogwood, Blueberries, Red Maples, and Sugar Maples.   One Ridge Across Little River  from Curry Mountain Trail (half mile in) has a group of trees with nice colors.

I hiked  up the Appalachian Trail out the Boulevard about 3 miles then back to The Jump Off  then back over to Charlies Bunion and the colors are really starting to pop out all over at 5500 and above , such beautiful colors . I think everyone should get out to see them first hand and to enjoy the great outdoors !

September 22
Nice splashes of fall color are now appearing in the Great Smoky Mountains. At the lower elevations, early changers like black gum, Virginia creeper, and sourwood are showing bright reds. At the mid elevations, yellow buckeyes are shifting toward gold while yellow birch, American beech, and some maples are showing patches of color.

At the highest elevations, fall has arrived. American mountain-ash has changed to orange or yellow and witch-hobble has gone to burgundy. The peak of color at the high elevations will likely occur around September 24-30.
At the lower and mid elevations fall color is likely to peak in late October or early November.
Wildflowers continue to be spectacular with jewelweed, goldenrod, New York ironweed, and great blue lobelia putting on a brilliant show.

Recommended hikes include Clingmans Dome Tower, Forney Ridge Trail to Andrews Bald, Road Prong, Thomas Divide, Mt. Cammerer Tower, and Charlies Bunion. Good drives are the Blue Ridge Parkway, Balsam Mountain Road, and Clingmans Dome Road.
September 19

Although it’s only mid-September, spots and splashes of fall color are beginning to appear in the Great Smoky Mountains. At the lower elevations, early changers like black gum, Virginia creeper, and sourwood are showing bright reds.
At the mid elevations, yellow buckeyes are shifting toward gold while yellow birch, American beech, and some maples are showing hints of color.
At the highest elevations, fall has arrived. American mountain-ash has changed to orange or yellow and witch-hobble has gone to burgundy.
Wildflowers continue to be spectacular with jewelweed, goldenrod, New York ironweed, cardinal flower and great blue lobelia putting on a brilliant show.

Recommended hikes include Clingmans Dome Tower, Forney Ridge Trail to Andrews Bald, Road Prong, Thomas Divide, and Charlies Bunion. Good drives are the Blue Ridge Parkway, Balsam Mountain Road, and Clingmans Dome Road.

September 12
Although we’re still in the first half of September, spots and splashes of fall color are beginning to appear in the Great Smoky Mountains. At the lower elevations, early changers like black gum and sourwood are showing some bright reds. At the mid elevations, yellow buckeyes are shifting toward gold while yellow birch, American beech, and some maples have begun their departure from green.

At the highest elevations, early fall has arrived. American mountain-ash is showing orange and yellows and witch-hobble has gone to burgundy.
Wildflowers continue to be spectacular with jewelweed, goldenrod, New York ironweed, cardinal flower and great blue lobelia putting on a brilliant show.


Recommended hikes include Clingmans Dome Tower, Forney Ridge Trail to Andrews Bald, Road Prong, Thomas Divide, and Charlies Bunion. Good drives are the Blue Ridge Parkway, Balsam Mountain Road, and Clingmans Dome Road.

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