Natural History Wanderings

Great Smoky Mountains Association  has a new fall color update for September 23,2013

The progress of fall colors in the Great Smoky Mountains may be about to shift from neutral and into gear. The last two weeks have been unusually warm and damp, and colors have not progressed much. But with nighttime lows now hitting the lower 40s and upper 30s, that should rapidly change.

Lower down, several species of trees have just started to change. Sycamore, sassafras, witch hazel, buckeye, tuliptree, black gum, sourwood, Virginia creeper, sumacs and black walnut are all showing hints of color. Migrating birds are flocking to the dogwoods’ red berries. Fall wildflowers are also conspicuous, including jewelweed, asters, goldenrod and white snakeroot.

Good places for a drive include Clingmans Dome Road and the Blue Ridge Parkway. It’s a great time to hike Mt. Le Conte! Upper Deep Creek Trail is also gorgeous this time of year.

The peak of fall colors at the higher elevations is likely to be at least 10 days away. At the lower and mid elevations, colors traditionally peak in late October or early November. At this time, we predict colors will be on the later side.

Park officials are happy to see a bumper crop of oak acorns, which should help black bears gain the weight they need to make through the winter.