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The annual fall leaf show is now at its peak throughout the western North Carolina mountains as gloriously cool mountain temperatures have continued and color has crept down the mountainsides. All areas around Asheville are showing brilliant color as are lower elevations. While the higher mountain peaks have become slightly bare, they still provide an optimal view of the mountainsides and valleys below. Currently, the colors are absolutely brilliant, which may have come as a bit of a surprise to some who thought they might be only average this year.
Now is the perfect time for a day trip on the Blue Ridge Parkway to the high ground at Mount Mitchell or Grandfather Mountain to the northeast of town or a day hike up Mount Pisgah to the southwest (be sure to keep your eyes open for the bicyclists on the Parkway – they are out in large numbers right now, also enjoying that cool, fresh air). These popular mountain peaks have a great network of trails and most visitors should be able to find suitable trails for their fitness and ability level. The highest peaks still offer great vantage points for taking in the entire show – the leaf colors have deepened to their best reds, golds, purples, yellows, and browns, all the way to the valley floor.
Even with the increased crowd size – and the sacrifice of a football game or two on television – popular spots, such as Mount Pisgah, Graveyard Fields, Looking Glass Rock, and the Cradle of Forestry are so beautiful, they are well worth the effort. There is also a wealth of incredibly cozy bed and breakfast inns in Asheville to accommodate almost any taste. The only trick to getting what you want is to reserve a room early! These beautiful little niches are very popular, and it is difficult to book something the further we get into fall … the wise traveler books now! A good source for many of the best bed and breakfast inns is Asheville.com's lodging page, Asheville Lodging – most of the inns offer pictures of their rooms, so visitors can select the one they find most appealing. Fall is a great time to get outdoors with family and friends. With so many great destinations to choose between – from local beauties such as the Biltmore Estate or the NC Arboretum to the more far-reaching sites such as Chimney Rock, Dupont State Forest, or the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the cool weather and great color make their own brand of entertainment. Mother Nature maintains a pretty predictable plan when it comes to which trees begin the parade and which ones are the big finishers – most sourwoods are at their best bright red now, and, at higher to middle elevations, the tulip poplars are brilliant gold. The deep reds of native dogwoods are ripening, and will be followed closely by all the various maple varieties in a seeming sunset of red, brilliant orange, and yellow. Birch, cherry, and sweet gum will brighten mountain slopes by late October, and the reds and burnt yellows of the mighty oaks – and the tiniest shrubs and woodland vines – will finish the season by sometime in mid-November. Even with the increased crowd size – and the sacrifice of a football game or two on television – popular spots, such as Mount Pisgah, Graveyard Fields, Looking Glass Rock, and the Cradle of Forestry are so stunningly beautiful, they are well worth the effort. With so many great destinations to choose between – from local beauties such as the Biltmore Estate or the NC Arboretum to the more far-reaching sites such as Chimney Rock, Dupont State Forest, or the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, now is the time to grab your family, pets, and friends, breathe that fresh fall air, and enjoy the bracing blast of crisp, mountain days at their best.
(Photos provided by Asheville.com)
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Mother Nature maintains a pretty predictable plan when it comes to which trees begin the parade and which ones are the big finishers – most sourwoods remain at their best bright red now, and the tulip poplars are brilliant gold. The deep reds of native dogwoods have ripened, and maple varieties in a seeming sunset of red, brilliant orange, and yellow are simply stunning. Birch, cherry, and sweet gum are at their brightest best, and the reds and burnt yellows of the mighty oaks are coming into their own. Even the tiniest shrubs and woodland vines add to the picture-perfect natural canvas, which should continue through mid-November.