Natural History Wanderings

Great Smoky Mountains National Park  reports

As the peek leaf viewing season for the Tennessee side of the Smokies begins to wind down, remnant fall colors can still be found scattered throughout the entire national park. North Carolina, though past peek, still has pockets of fall color, especially within the mid to lower elevation ranges within the park.

A drive along Little River Road, Laurel Creek Road, or Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail offers an abundance of color right now as a plethora of brilliantly colored leaves cover the forest floor and is intermittingly dispersed among the canopy. Areas providing excellent sightseeing opportunities with beautiful scenery include the most popular wildlife viewing areas in Cades Cove and Cataloochee.

Suggested easy to moderate rated hikes through hardwood forests include Gregory Ridge Trail, Abrams Falls Trail, Middle Prong Trail, Porters Creeks Trails, Boogerman Trail, and Sutton Ridge Overlook along the Lower Mt. Cammerer Trail. #fallcolorfriday