eyewall

It reminded of me of VT days yesterday in the mountains of NC

A few more from yesterday:

Yeah definitely get it in now if you can. That will be it after those winds

It exploded between 3,000 and 4,000ft in the NC Mountains almost overnight!

Here is one from Linville Gorge today:

The foliage has exploded on the rims of Linville gorge. Other good spots include the Pisgah national Forest above the Brown Mountain overlook on 181 and the west side of Grandfather Mountain

Foliage in the NC Mountains is a patchwork rather than a blanket peak due to adverse conditions early on. The highest terrain has a lot of leaf drop and much of it has gone past peak. Where leaves are still changing, you can literally drive from almost all green to solid color around a corner or two. That is the product of a lot of micro climates (like cold hollows etc).

Here are all the shots I got from Sunday along and near the BRP from Grandfather northward toward Boone. The good patches here were adjacent to green and brown areas. It is a patchwork to be sure.

I looked up the Graveyard Fields and thought damn I should have gone there. I think it may be past peak up there being it is at 5,000 feet or so. I am trying to decide on tomorrow's attempt.

Well after reviewing the aerials there were certainly some vibrant spots with gaps in between. I also need to say there is still hope for lots of it to turn in some areas. It won't be a blanket peak for sure as I have said, but certainly not all bad. I am also hopeful about the Hanging Rock area north of Winston a little later.

I made a return trip today and was let down. Lots of brownout and leaf drop along the Blue ridge from 421 to Linn Cove. There were pockets of good color but overall it was underwhelming. Seems like three bad years in a row. Lower elevations still haven't turned much either.

It is tough to capture it accurately without manual settings as cameras will tend to autocorrect the white balance to values that are too cold which dulls the leaf colors a lot.

It is finally starting above 4,000ft down here in NC (over a week behind). It looks like peak at the Blue Ridge Parkway elevation near Grandfather Mountain will happen early next week. I just thought it was interesting to compare to New England.

Pics from this morning:

I will be posting ground and aerial shots of what I witnessed this morning. Coldest temp my car read was 33F by Price Lake. Anyway I think the foliage will do alright by Grandfather this year so long as there isn't too much blow down in the coming days. I don't think it will be a widespread blanket of peak color this year but there will be some photos to be had. I noticed a few areas in the distance with brownout ongoing, but still lots of green to change as well.

I took a quick trip up very early this morning. Very frosty near Price Lake. Fall color was very patchy with moderate color just south of the Linn Cove Viaduct in a small area. I caught sunrise by that bridge and unfortunately two idiots were stopped on the road with their flashers on ruining the scene and also it was dangerous. I will make another attempt next week.

I wish but probably a winter visit will happen

Even though I couldn't make it up there this year (getting married this weekend), I am enjoying all the photos! I am going to try and get to the Linn Cove Viaduct along the Blue Ridge Parkway this Tue for a few shots and aerials. It passes right by Grandfather Mountain where the summit elevation is 5,945 feet (A lot of people find themselves surprised by the climate and harsh weather that can occur up there for being so far south). I am hoping to find a scene like the one below (Not this year and not my photo):

I am hoping that progresses quickly before Tuesday when I plan a quick trip. I have seen foliage change rapidly in the northeast within a few days before. The weather has certainly been more favorable for that now. I plan on getting some aerials too (legal if you launch from a 221 pull off nearby).

The Fall Foliage Guy suggests a peak around Grandfather Mountain between 10/15 and 10/20 or so. I plan on trying on Tue.

Looking real good! Fortunately it looks like there is hope down here in the mountains. It will be a late peak on the blue ridge sometime next week perhaps.

Anytime peak is delayed you are in trouble foliage wise. There is still some hope but I am sure it will be a shortened season with higher leaf drop during the best colors. How many years in a row has it been lackluster now?

Looks great from the pics! It figures the year I can't make the trip is a good one.

Wash, rinse, repeat. Just like last year.

Thank you!