The leaf-peeping season is coming to a close with an explosion of vibrant Fall Color in the Piedmont. Mild daytime temperatures and cool nights have pushed the leaves to their peak color, creating a unique canvas of natural beauty, but it won’t last long. Also, this week our reporters are sharing their favorite hikes and coziest places to warm up — come and enjoy the fall season while it lasts!
Plan that getaway now — or you’ll miss out! For a complete listing of activities, use the event search on this site or call 1-866-6LEAVES.
Fall Color Report for the Week of 11-11-08
This is the last fall color report of this season. At the highest elevations, the colors are mostly all gone now, but at lower elevations, they are still either peaking or just past peak. All in all, fall colors across the state were excellent this year. Here in the northeastern mountains, the colors were somewhat muted – pastel might be the best way to describe them. We had lots of yellows and oranges, but the reds were not as spectacular. In addition, the tulip poplar leaves seemed to hold onto their yellow color only briefly, before quickly falling off.
At slightly lower elevations, the colors were much brighter and the palette contained a more vibrant mix of yellow, orange and especially red. I also think the timing was more synchronized, creating a beautiful landscape of color. Colors around Wilkesboro and Winston-Salem were still excellent as of yesterday, especially when viewed in the golden hues of the setting sun, which seemed to set the yellows and oranges afire. For some reason, in this portion of the state, the tulip poplars have retained their bright yellow leaves, providing sharp contrast against the deep reds of the oaks and sweetgums.
Color season starts and ends later at lower elevations, and is just now peaking on the coast. Donna Stewart, Assistant Director of the Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center, reports that their “maples have been just been spectacular, providing a lot of reds and yellows. Sweetgums are providing honeyed yellow tints, while wild grape vines drape the woods with a golden coin color. The swamp chestnut oak (Quercus michauxii) is vivid green tinged with dark red trimming and the water oaks (Quercus nigra) and pines are still green.” I would add that the cypress are turning a rust red now, and colors in this portion of the state can be dramatically beautiful also.
If I were to sum up this season, I’d give the mountains a 7.5, but the foothills and Piedmont a fabulous 9.5 (out of a 10 point scale). Based on reports from others I’d rate the coastal forests 8.5 to 9.0. So, despite record droughts in the past two years, our fall colors this year were way above average. I would attribute this to late summer rainfalls, which helped ameliorate the drought and to very moderate to cool temperatures and clear skies, which helped to develop the intense fall colors.
If you still want to get out and hike before it gets too cold, I’d recommend the new Elk Knob State Park, in northern Watauga County, a place I mentioned in a previous column. It’s a short, but strenuous 1.5 mile hike to the 5,000’ summit, but you’re rewarded with great views at the top.
Lastly, I’d like to thank all the other leaf reporters for their varied and interesting takes on this year’s fall color season. North Carolina is a large state, with one of the most varied landscapes in the country, ranging from the highest point east of the Mississippi River at Mount Mitchell (6,684’), all the way down to the coast. We have the highest native tree species diversity in the country, with over 125 species in Great Smoky Mountains National Park alone, giving North Carolina one of the most diverse and beautiful fall color displays of any state. Thanks for reading – it’s been a pleasure and honor to serve the state as its Fall Color Guy. And remember - only 126 days until the cypress begin leafing out again in the Dismal Swamp! I can’t wait!
Asheville Area
Tim Lee, Asheville (Buncombe County)
Asheville Convention and Visitors Bureau
877-GO TO AVL
www.exploreasheville.com
Plenty of color remains in the trees here in Asheville, although peak conditions won't last much longer. Spend a day at The NC Arboretum, where the diversity of plant life and seasonally landscaped gardens ensure a brilliant fall experience. Vivid colors can also be found at nearby Chimney Rock Park, which peaks late in the season due to its lower elevation. Located in scenic Hickory Nut Gorge, Chimney Rock Park is home to many hiking trails that offer incredible views of fall foliage. When the sun goes down, warm up in one of Asheville's numerous cozy cafes or gourmet restaurants.
Mountains
Landis Wofford, Grandfather Mountain (Avery County)
Grandfather Mountain
828-733-2013
www.grandfather.com
Right now is a great time to hike at Grandfather Mountain. With the leaves down and cooler temperatures moving in, the views are clear and spectacular. Grandfather Mountain has 11 trails varying in difficulty from a gentle walk in the woods to a rigorous trek across rugged peaks. Mildred's Grill located inside the Nature Museum at Grandfather Mountain is a great place to come in and get warm. The sit-down restaurant serves up hamburgers, soups, salads and much more daily. Bird feeders line the windows of the restaurant and their visitors provide an entertaining show for those inside.
Clifford Meads, Cashiers (Jackson County)
High Hampton Inn & Country Club
800-334-2551
www.highhamptoninn.com
Miles of well-marked hiking trails lined with a variety of maple, black birch, sourwood, hickory, yellow poplar and dogwood trees spread out from the Inn. Hikers can climb to the summits of either Rock Mountain at 4,370 feet or Chimney Top Mountain at 4,618 feet to view the miles of fall colors in the valley between Cashiers, Highlands and Whiteside Mountain.
After a day of adventure seeking out autumn’s dramatic sites, return to the Inn for hot cider or cocoa beside a roaring fire that burns day and night in the lobby’s four-sided fireplace.
Melinda Young, Historic Saluda, Tryon and Columbus (Polk County)
First Peak of the Blue Ridge
828-894-2324
www.firstpeaknc.com
We’re at peak color now, and expect to hang on to it for another week or two. We usually enjoy some color during Thanksgiving. Right now, you’ll see the bright yellows, oranges and reds of the red and sugar maples, the orange of sassafras, the golds and yellows of hickory, redbud, river birch, and the reds and burgundies of sourwood and sweet gum. Many of the dogwoods and early trees are losing their leaves. A great place for a hike during this time of year is at Pearson’s Falls. Our coziest spot to warm up is the Living Room of the Orchard Inn, in front of a roaring fire in the stone fireplace.
Emily Walker, Chimney Rock (Rutherford County)
Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park
828-625-9611
www.chimneyrockpark.com
It's not too late for beautiful fall color in the North Carolina mountains. Due to our lower elevation (1,000-3,000 feet), Chimney Rock gets its color later in the year.
The Park is seeing peak fall color this week with colors deepening into burgundy, bronze, rust and gold.
The Park is especially pretty in the morning sunlight. Chimney Rock is a great place to see color because of the variety of views. From the Chimney or other outlooks, see the canopy of color or from one of our hiking trails, get more up-close and personal.
Piedmont Areas
Kelly Cooke, Kings Mountain (Gaston/Cleveland County)
Crowders Mountain State Park
704-853-5375
www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/crmo/main.php
Most of the color at the park has moved past peak. Dry conditions have accelerated color shifts in oaks, poplars, and other species that tend toward yellows. The result is a palette with more shades of brown than any other color. Maples, sourwoods and dogwoods still offer some variation and range from red to gold, but there tend to be drips of color rather than broad brushstrokes like they were a week ago.
Tracey Trimble, Hickory (Catawba County)
Hickory Furniture Mart
828-322-4825, Ext. 307
www.hickoryfurniture.com
We have enjoyed the most beautiful weather in our area the past few weeks. Leaves are at their peek, and fall colors still linger throughout our landscape. This is the perfect time of year to go hiking along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The scenery is still incredible and the temperature is just right. Enjoy your day off by taking a road trip alone to re-group or load up the family and spend the weekend sightseeing together. Western North Carolina has so much to offer. Discover the natural beauty of North Carolina whether you are traveling from outside this great state or within.
Lane Ragsdale, Asheboro (Randolph County)
North Carolina Zoo
336-879-7203
www.nczoo.org
Just about every tree has turned or is turning color here at the Zoo. The maple trees are ranging from yellows and oranges to pink, and multiple shades of red. The poplar trees and willow oaks are all a nice yellow, while the black gum, dogwoods and sourwoods are still showing deep red and purplish colors. The oak trees are finally showing their colors from yellows and browns to some burnt orange and reddish colors.
Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at the North Carolina Zoo.
Amy Rieth, Charlotte (Mecklenburg County)
Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority
704-331-2715
www.charlottesgotalot.com
Most trees in Charlotte are still clinging onto the rich, vibrant colors of fall. Darker shades of green mix with yellows, burgundies and oranges—a sight that’s enough to make any couch potato want to get up and enjoy the outdoors. This week, take advantage of one of Charlotte’s many greenways. McAlpine Creek Greenway is Charlotte's original Greenway Park, built in 1978. Whether by bike or by foot, you’re sure to enjoy the nearly nine miles of greenway, cross country trails and nature trails at McAlpine. Afterwards, warm your soul with a cup of joe at It’s a Grind at Ballantyne Village.
Christina Gordon, Roanoke Rapids Area (Halifax County)
Halifax County Convention and Visitors Bureau
800-522-4282
www.visithalifax.com
Simply driving along our rural roads is a seasonal buffet of color. All of our attractions are in full color - both the birds and the trees at Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Park. Hike one of the seven multi-length and varied terrain trails at Medoc Mountain State Park, and you will be treated to a visual feast. Walk all or a segment of the 7.5-mile Roanoke Canal Trail with a multi-hued, quilt-like canopy and beautiful river vistas. Take a nice meandering walk around scenic Historic Halifax. Finally, warm up with cocoa, coffee or hot tea at Java Junction or Timeless Tea in downtown Roanoke Rapids.
Coast
Penny Leary-Smith, Camden County
Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center
252-771-8333
www.dismalswamp.com
The Dismal Swamp Welcome Center has the perfect spot to stretch your legs or get your heart rate up with a brisk hike. Our 1/4-mile Nature Trail has a home alongside the still canal waters. Tree roots and fallen leaves underfoot are nearly as pretty as the colorful canopies of sweet gum and sycamores overhead. Our 4.5-mile paved hiking and biking trail at the south end of the property weaves along Hwy #17 and the canal, in and out of the woods, seeming at times to be a tree "tunnel". Stop in the Welcome Center for warm hospitality and knowledgeable information. When can we expect you?
