Natural History Wanderings

 Great Smoky Mountains National Park (U.S. National Park Service reports

Fall color continues to progress in the high elevations of the park. Many high elevation areas (above 4,500′) are near, to slightly past, peak this week. Areas around Newfound Gap are colorful now. There is still a significant amount of green at the higher elevations though, which means color will continue to develop over the next few days. 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 flowers such as purple asters, white asters, black-eyed Susans, pale jewelweed, and goldenrod continue to bloom in profusion along roadsides and trails.

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)