Natural History Wanderings

Great Smoky Mountains Association has a fall color update at Fall Leaf Color Updates | Great Smoky Mountains Association

November 8 (I believe they published the wrong date for this one)

Remarkably, some bright swatches of fall color linger at the park’s lower elevations (below 3,000’). Scarlet oak, northern red oak, the birches, and spicebush are especially vibrant. At the higher elevations the landscape is snowy.

Suggested drives include Little River Road, Cades Cove, Gatlinburg Bypass, the Foothills Parkway East (near Newport and Cosby), the Foothills Parkway West (near Townsend), The Foothills Parkway North (between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge—the “Spur”) and Cataloochee Valley.

Suggested trails and hiking destinations include Lakeshore Trail, Cucumber Gap Loop, Old Settlers Trail, Deep Creek Trail, Gatlinburg Trail, Oconaluftee River Trail, and Abrams Falls.

Witch-hazel, the last flowering tree of the season, is in bloom.

November 5

Lumber Ridge Trail (Beginning to End) – Although fall foliage is at least 70% past peak on this trail there are ample colorful foliage to make a trek up this trail is well worth the hike especially in full sun.

Curry Mountain (Beginning to End) – First mile from Little River Road has some nice colorful foliage – after that few colorful leaves left.   On the first half mile looking across the river the lower ridges have really nice rust, orange, bronze and gold foliage particularly in full sun.

See all their fall color reports at Fall Leaf Color Updates | Great Smoky Mountains Association