Natural History Wanderings

Fall Leaf Color Updates | Great Smoky Mountains Association posted the following report today:

Although we’re still in the first week of September, spots and splashes of fall color are beginning to appear in the Great Smoky Mountains. At the higher elevations, witch-hobble’s big round leaves are turning from green to bright red. American Mountain-ash trees are sporting heavy loads of orange and red berries.

In the valleys, early-changers like dogwood, sourwood, Virginia creeper, and blackgum are just beginning to turn. Late summer wildflowers continue to be spectacular with jewelweed, goldenrod, New York ironweed, cardinal flower, white snakeroot, gentian, and grass-of-Parnassus, putting on spectacular shows.

Recommended hikes include Clingmans Dome Tower, Forney Ridge Trail to Andrews Bald, Road Prong, Thomas Divide, Mt. Le Conte, and Charlies Bunion. Good drives are the Blue Ridge Parkway and Clingmans Dome Road. Traditionally, fall colors peak in the Great Smoky Mountains in early October at the highest elevations and in late October or early November in the valleys. What will this year bring?