Natural History Wanderings

 Blue Ridge Parkway Fall Colors Tracker has the following quick summary update for 10/23/14

Past Peak (but offering long-range views of valleys below)

• Southern region of the Blue Ridge Parkway below Mt Pisgah.
• Mt Mitchell and Graggy Gardens area from around Little Switzerland to just north of Asheville.
• Boone / Blowing Rock area including Price Lake and Moses Cone Manor.
• Most elevations above 4500′.

At Peak ( 75% & up ) <= This weekend’s best outlook

• Most of the Parkway in Virginia (an hour or two drive will offer significant fall color)
• Boone / Blowing Rock area travelling north into Virginia.
• Linn Cove Viaduct / Grandfather Mountain south to Crabtree Falls
• North of Asheville to Craggy Gardens / South of Asheville to Mt Pisgah
• Most elevations in the range from 2500′ to 3750′.

Near Peak, but very colorful ( 60% to 75% )

• Roanoke & James River Areas
• Most elevations in the range from 1750′ to 2500′.

Patchy, but not green (  10% – 50% )

• Long range views off the eastern and western escarpment.

See full Report at  Blue Ridge Parkway Fall Colors Tracker.