David Patterson wrote:
After a slow start, things look to be happening quite quickly in Maine. This weekend should be about peak for Acadia, and it looks like being a pretty solid year for color after all.
I actually called the Acadia visitors' center and they said they were around peak now, and that (in her words) the color was "muted" this year. (Which has been consistent with my experiences in most of the NE.)
We will be going down south towards Shenandoah NP and Blue Ridge Parkway this weekend. The weather forecast seems sunny/cloudy but no rain. Hope it stays that way.
GSMNP Update. Actually near the Smokies, but the same conditions apply. Traffic to the Smokies was backed up for miles today.
Foothills Parkway from Townsend to Hwy 129, Tail of the Dragon, and Joyce Kilmer are 10%-15%. From there I drove the Cherohala Skyway which ranges from starting to turn to past peak.
In general, color by elevation:
1400'-3000' Little to moderate color (Particularly near streams)
3000'-5000' Moderate to peak
5000' + Past peak (Gone with the Wind)
If anyone is near Tellico Plains, Bald River Falls is definitely worth checking out!
garyroach wrote:
GSMNP Update. Actually near the Smokies, but the same conditions apply. Traffic to the Smokies was backed up for miles today.
Foothills Parkway from Townsend to Hwy 129, Tail of the Dragon, and Joyce Kilmer are 10%-15%. From there I drove the Cherohala Skyway which ranges from starting to turn to past peak.
In general, color by elevation:
1400'-3000' Little to moderate color (Particularly near streams)
3000'-5000' Moderate to peak
5000' + Past peak (Gone with the Wind)
If anyone is near Tellico Plains, Bald River Falls is definitely worth checking out!
Thanks, Gary!! Do you think two weeks from today might be too late, even for the lower elevations?
CarlG wrote:
Thanks, Gary!! Do you think two weeks from today might be too late, even for the lower elevations?
Carl
It will be too late for the higher elevations. But, the lower elevations should be at their peak. Of course, the first storm after an area peaks will knock the leaves off of the trees. The lower elevations will include the Gatlinburg area, Cades Cove, and the Foothills Parkway.
Went to the Finger Lakes region today. Letchworth Falls, Watkins Glen, Taughanock Falls and the Finger Lakes Region in NY is past peak now. The water levels for the falls are really good though. Headed to Ricketts Glen tomorrow....
Just back from Acadia NP. Fall colors are mixed on the island. At peak along Eagle Lake Road and low areas. Suprisingly the higher faces of Gorham and the Beehive lack much color. Still much green there. Face of the other high peaks have a mix of color. On the trip back to Bangor the wind and rain of Thursday and Friday had stripped the colored leaves from the trees. They are expecting large surf Sunday.
Scott
I was over in Zion NP this weekend, and the Subway and the Narrows are both pretty green. Within the river sections hiking up to the Subway there were quite a few trees turning yellow, but definitely a bit from peak. The Narrows and lower canyon sections were all completely green.
