Natural History Wanderings

Updated 10/11/11

Last year the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina was one of the top fall color spots.  No one can accurately predict when fall color will peak and how good it will be this year.  Many factors affect fall color  and timing including rainfall, hot, cold and wind. However, there are some locations are certainly best bets and the Blue Ridge Parkway is one of them. Typically fall color in the Asheville area is between the beginning of October and beginning of November.  Check this site for information on visiting, best guesses on this year’s fall color and updated fall foliage reports during the season:  Asheville Fall Foliage Color Leaf Report 2011, Blue Ridge Parkway.  Here is the report as of 10/10/11:

“October 10, 2011 UPDATE: The recent abundant sunshine really accelerated the color change. Color is showing the most at the highest elevations (above 4,000 feet). Peak color at high elevations like Grandfather Mountain and Mt. Mitchell is now. Wintry weather during the first weekend of October killed most leaves at Craggy Gardens at the highest elevations. After rains and clouds for the next couple of days, sun will return for the weekend. Sometimes, the color can be more beautiful in rainy, cloudy weather. And it makes for dramatic photography!”