This autumn should yield vibrant fall colors in the mountains, according to Western Carolina University’s fall color forecaster Beverly Collins. Collins, a professor of biology, combines her knowledge of forest ecology with weather trend observations to assess the potential for a strong leaf color season.

From spring to mid-summer the area saw unusually warm and wet conditions, but precipitation returned closer to normal in late July. The long-term forecast through October is for average precipitation and warmer-than-normal temperatures — if that holds true, the mountain region should see typically bright colors this year.

Peak color is determined by changing sunrise/sunset times as well as weather conditions, with cooler nights resulting in less chlorophyll production and therefore less green in the leaves. If the long-term forecast for warmer weather holds and those cooler nights are delayed, peak color could hold off to the last weekend of October near WCU and the region’s many valley towns in the 2,000-foot elevation range. Peak color will happen sooner at the higher elevations, where the cool nights come earlier, though the very highest peaks tend to be covered with fir and spruce trees that stay dark green all year.

A wildcard in nature’s leaf color mix is the rogue hurricane remnants or big storms that could bring heavy rain and strong winds to the mountains and knock the leaves off the trees ahead of schedule — leaf peepers should cross their fingers and hope that doesn’t happen.

Cite…

Few places in the Southern Appalachians are more scenic than Max Patch along the Appalachian Trail on the state line between North Carolina and Tennessee. Even more so when the magic of Fall coloring surrounds the mountaintop.

You can see my complete trail report for Max Patch and Buckeye Ridge, and learn about an unexpected adventure I had a few years ago on my first visit. This time, rather than going straight up to the top, I took the path that goes around the mountain, then ascends the Summit Trail from the west side. It takes a little longer, but offers a different perspective of the terrain.

I couldn’t have asked for more perfect weather. It was bright and sunny with wispy white clouds. A breeze on the summit helped to keep the air clear and provide very long distance viewing, an always desirable condition when standing on the top of a bald mountain with 360° views. The wind was enough to support a kite that was high-flying from one of the kids that must have been playing hooky. I don’t think Halloween is a school holiday, is it?

Among the 50 other sightseers that climbed Max Patch along with me, I didn’t see anyone in costume, but the forest was dressed in autumn’s finest. The trees along Scenic Byway 209 and the backcountry roads on the way were displaying bright hues. Those closer to the top were perhaps 2-3 days beyond peak. Still, it was a delightful visit to Max Patch. It always is. See what you think.

This post was created by Jeff Clark. Please feel free to use the sharing icons below, or add your thoughts to the comments. Pack it in, pack it out. Preserve the past. Respect other hikers. Let nature prevail. Leave no trace.

Like a child anticipating Christmas, this year has had us waiting… waiting… waiting for the leaf peeping season to begin. Combine a very wet summer with a September where the warmth never ended, and it’s like the year that fall never arrived. This day, October 12, 2018, was the first day all autumn where the overnight temperature dropped into the forties. Unheard of.

The trees don’t know how to react. The hummingbirds and butterflies don’t know whether to migrate. The tourists who regularly come to cruise the Blue Ridge Parkway and explore the Smokies expecting fall’s chromatic display have been perplexed and sorely disappointed. Those of us who live in the Southern Appalachians will likely still see the leaves finally turning eventually, but will it only last for a couple days, and then be gone?

To entertain myself, I thought of the elk at Cataloochee. Even if I couldn’t enjoy orange and yellow hues, the massive creatures that prowl the fields and bottomland in this picturesque valley always put on a show, and are fun to be around. No shortage of hiking trails, combined with a morning listening to the bugle call of the bull elk herding their harem, makes Cataloochee Valley an ideal setting on a beautiful mid-October day.

After spending an hour with the elk before they disappeared into the woods, I took a short stroll on the Rough Fork Trail to Woody House, a restored 19th century homestead. The bright sun was low in the southeastern sky as I danced across footlogs and listened to the babbling stream alongside. The photo gallery below is a summary of my day. If you look really hard, you might even find just a wee bit of this year’s very elusive color.

This post was created by Jeff Clark. Please feel free to use the sharing icons below, or add your thoughts to the comments. Pack it in, pack it out. Preserve the past. Respect other hikers. Let nature prevail. Leave no trace.