yeah a very poor fall foliage season in the highlands region, worst i've ever seen, granted fall is still fall so it looks nice but so many trees that are always stunning didn't even look like anything and when some sugar maple forests look like white oak forests and when some red maple forests look like red oak forests then something has gone very wrong
the developments west of russia brook in sparta always have wonderful sugar maples and red maples going like crazy but shockingly they are all doing nothing this year, shriveled and dull! even the sumacs are pretty much non-starters!
NW corner sparta area is a bit better, some color but not as good as normal
snake hill in rockaway and clinton road up on the other side of route 23 look nice now but those two tend to never get truly great color so are not so far off normal
NCAndy wrote:
There are still plenty of bright spots to be found around the Smokies but the highest elevations are gone. Mid elevations and now along the valley floor are the best bet. These were taken this evening from my front porch. The first is a bit soft though I'm working on another version. Still some nice color to be had.
Just got back from a ride along the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina. The elevations above 3000' are a week past peak but there's still some color. The lower elevations are still kicking though a pretty good rain and wind field were coming through when I left. I was between Linville and Stone Mountain State Park. If you're planning to be there in the next couple of days, there's a large chunk out of service between Blowing Rock and Stone Mountain.
James Burden wrote:
Just got back from a ride along the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina. The elevations above 3000' are a week past peak but there's still some color. The lower elevations are still kicking though a pretty good rain and wind field were coming through when I left. I was between Linville and Stone Mountain State Park. If you're planning to be there in the next couple of days, there's a large chunk out of service between Blowing Rock and Stone Mountain.
The BRP has been closed from mp 443-455 today (Thurs Oct. 20) due to snow. I expect they will reopen the road as soon as possible but you can check by calling 828-298-0398.
Wears Valley is having Oktoberfest this weekend. Not much beer drinking, but lots of country crafts.
I tried to drive up to Newfound Gap and Clingmans Dome to see how much snow is there. You can see it on top of the mountains. But, traffic was bumper-to-bumper as soon as I passed Sugarlands. So, I bailed and took Roaring Fork which wasn't as crowded as I thought it would be.
NJ Highlands:
northern and highest altitudes are past peak
central area is about peak (but it's a random peak this year, some trees a week or more bare, a few still green)
southern coming into color
all regions appear to have the worst color in years, never seen it so dull overall myself
it's still very pretty, there is color and a few trees here and there are as good as ever but it's not remotely like last year and not even close to an average year either, lots of random early leaf drop or brown shrivel or muted dingier tending
normally ever bend leaves you in awe and you feel like taking a pic every three feet, this year it's easy to drive around and not often feel need to have to stop and look or shoot more
seems like the dulling of this fall has hit NJ harder than any region
Great color in the valleys and coves below 3000feet in the Linville Gorge and Wilson Creek areas. Maples are pretty much done with few exceptions put the hickory and especially Sassafras are particularly golden. This time next week I'm guessing the colors around the Uwharries will be peaking
I'm in Zion right now and it's still a bit early. Most of the cottonwoods are a yellowish green at best. I'd say give it a week or so and you should be right on the money. Next weekend ought to be much better than this one.
update for the Columbia River Gorge, PDX, McKenzie/Santiam/Umpqua HWY areas.
Eagle Creek is almost at peak, as is most of the Gorge from what I was told today by a buddy. Santiam Pass (jefferson Park area) is 70%, as is McKenzie HWY and UmpQua RIver area.
Japanese Gardens supposedly are nice colors. Around downtown PDX the colors are almost in full swing. Silver Falls State Park are looking good, from what I have been told. Usually first week of November is full peak around here, and looks like this year will be no different.
Lost Lake has color, as does Trillium. Hope this helps anyone.
Lower elevations are peaking. Higher elevations on the NC side still have leaves on the trees. Although brown, the leaves are still beautiful in the sun. Get'em while they got'em guys. Gone by the end of the month.
tgrando wrote:
I'm in Zion right now and it's still a bit early. Most of the cottonwoods are a yellowish green at best. I'd say give it a week or so and you should be right on the money. Next weekend ought to be much better than this one.
Thanks for the report.
I'm headed there this weekend and will try to post an update.
This is Lake Fenwick on the Kent West Hill just south of Seattle. I don't shoot much landscape but a rare sunny and relatively calm Seattle day coerced me to make the 5 minute drive.
Colors are just reaching their peak and still probably have another week or so.
Here is my first attempt at an HDR using my brand new ultrawide zoom (10mm). I was so focused on the photo op and the new lens that I forgot to change my ISOs. Sorry for the grainyness.
C&C welcome.
some unusually late color is building in highlands of NJ (odd year, some trees and parts of trees turned about as early as ever and yet others and other parts seem set for one of latest turns ever, overall lots just got dingy though) but the 8" snow tomorrow who know what that will do to the late turners
