Natural History Wanderings

Fall Colors – Great Smoky Mountains National Park (U.S. National Park Service) reports

The main fall leaf season is still several weeks away (mid to late October), but high elevation areas are colorful now. Birch trees are showing muted yellows, and species such as witch hobble, sumac, and blueberries have turned red at higher elevation. Some of the highest elevation areas are already a little past peak, but other areas still have a quite a bit of green. Enjoy the fall colors this week by hiking along the crests of the mountains or by driving along Clingmans Dome Road.

At low to middle elevations, dogwood trees have a reddish cast that will develop into brilliant reds later in October. Species such as sourwood and red maple are also turning red. And the brilliant reds of Virginia creeper vine can be seen climbing the trunks of many trees. Overall however, the forests are still very green at these elevations. There’s not a lot fall color to see yet — just scattered trees here and there.

Fall flowers are blooming in profusion. Flowers such as purple asters, white asters, black-eyed Susans, pale jewelweed, ironweed, great blue lobelia, closed gentian, and goldenrod are blooming along roadsides and trails. In the forests, look for the brilliant reds of dogwood berries.

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

You can also check out the park’s webcams to see how fall colors are progressing:
Purchase Knob (high elevation)
Look Rock (middle elevation)