Natural History Wanderings

 Great Smoky Mountains National Park has a new Fall Color Report for October 9, 2014

Fall color continues to progress in the high elevations of the park. The yellows of birch, and reds of maple, sourwood and witch hobble are dominant now. Last weekend’s cold snap led to a good burst of color around Newfound Gap. However, high winds earlier this week caused leaves along the last three to four miles of Clingmans Dome Road to fall. There is still a significant amount of green at the higher elevations though, which means color will continue to develop over the next week. Views along the first half of Clingmans Dome Road and in the higher reaches of Newfound Gap Road should be good though early next week.

Middle and low elevations are still predominantly green with a scattering of fall color here and there. But signs of change are becoming more noticeable. Some vibrant reds have developed on dogwoods, sourwoods, and a few maples. We’re also starting to see a bit of yellow developing. The vivid red leaves of Virginia creeper vine are very noticeable climbing tree trunks now. Overall however, there’s not a great deal of fall color in the lower elevations yet — the season here is still two or three weeks away.

Fall wildflower displays are especially colorful now. Flowers such as purple asters, white asters, pale jewelweed, great blue lobelia, stiff gentian, and golden rod are blooming profusely along roads and trails in the park.

For fall photos and updates from the park, visit our official facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/GreatSmokyMountainsNPS