nchighcountrywx Posted September 29, 2012 Share Posted September 29, 2012 I will get the first few days photos uploaded this weekend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
valkhorn Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 I hiked up and down Clingmans Dome on the NC side of the Smokys on Saturday. Color is now peaking above 5400 ft. Hiking through the transition was neat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nchighcountrywx Posted October 1, 2012 Author Share Posted October 1, 2012 Fall Leaf Color Timeline Map Courtesy of Howard Neufeld and Michael Denslow from ASU Conceived by Howard Neufeld and Michael Denslow Map Constructed by Michael Denslow This map above gives an estimation of the timing of fall color peaks for the various regions of North Carolina. If you have used our map in the past, you’ll see that we have added two new features to the mountain section of our fall color map: towns and scenic roads. We hope these new graphics help you orient yourself as you decide where to visit in the North Carolina Mountains during our fall foliage season. This map differs from most other such maps because it combines the effects of both elevation and latitude on fall color, whereas most other maps simply use elevation alone. We constructed the map using the following assumptions. First, we assumed that fall color would start earlier at higher elevations. We then figured (guessed!) that for each 1,000' increase in elevation, peak fall colors would occur about one week earlier, with the exception of those areas near the coast, where we divided the elevation into 500' sections. For the latitude effect, we used data from published papers suggesting that each degree of latitude north is equivalent to going up in elevation by about 200 m (656'). This means that if you were to compare 3,000' down in Murphy with 3,000' in northern Ashe County (which are about 2.5 degrees apart), it would be as if you were really at 3,656' in Ashe County, at least fall color peak-wise. In other words, the same elevation in the north is cooler than the same elevation in the south, which causes the vegetation to differ. The resultant cooler temperatures mean that peak fall colors will come earlier to those same elevations in the north than in the south. Thus, our map is among the first to take both elevation and latitude into consideration. However, it is only an approximation, and we would love to hear from any of you as to whether we have hit the fall color peak correctly or missed it. Over the next few years, we hope to "adjust" the map to better model the progression of fall colors throughout our state. Thanks to Michael Denslow of the Department of Biology at ASU for creating this graphic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nchighcountrywx Posted October 1, 2012 Author Share Posted October 1, 2012 NC High Country Fall Leaf Color Picture of the Day Wednesday 26SEP12. Courtesy of Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation Sassafrass Leaves Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nchighcountrywx Posted October 1, 2012 Author Share Posted October 1, 2012 NC High Country Fall Leaf Color Picture of the Day Thursday 27SEP12 Courtesy of Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nchighcountrywx Posted October 1, 2012 Author Share Posted October 1, 2012 NC High Country Fall Leaf Color Picture of the Day Friday 28SEP12 Courtesy of Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nchighcountrywx Posted October 1, 2012 Author Share Posted October 1, 2012 NC High Country Fall Leaf Color Picture of the Day Saturday 29SEP12 Courtesy of Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nchighcountrywx Posted October 1, 2012 Author Share Posted October 1, 2012 NC High Country Fall Leaf Color Picture of the Day Sunday 30SEP12 Courtesy of Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nchighcountrywx Posted October 1, 2012 Author Share Posted October 1, 2012 Bonus Pictures Beacon Heights and Beech Creek Area Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strongwxnc Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 I will be heading to Boone this Saturday for homecoming. Should have some good color around town. Great theard.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nchighcountrywx Posted October 1, 2012 Author Share Posted October 1, 2012 NC High Country Fall Leaf Color Picture of the Day Monday 01OCT12 Photo and commentary courtesy of Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. Old Cranberry High School It’s an overcast and rainy day in the NC High Country. These trees around the Old Cranberry High School, at the junction of NC 194 and US 19-E between Newland and Elk Park, are a good representation of most elevations above 3,000 feet. The overall area still has many green trees but also many show-stoppers with bright orange, red or yellow leaves. (Photo by Landis Wofford) The best areas to enjoy fall color right now are Sugar Mountain, Beech Mountain, Tynecastle, Banner Elk and the Blue Ridge Parkway between Linville and Blowing Rock. Many bright maples are also turning along the drive between Newland and Elk Park. Beautiful weather is expected to return on Wednesday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nchighcountrywx Posted October 2, 2012 Author Share Posted October 2, 2012 NC High Country Fall Leaf Color Picture of the Day Tuesday 02OCT12 With the ridgelines being in the clouds Monday and Tuesday, today's picture from GFMTN is taken down at lower elevation. Photo and commentary courtesy of Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. Wilson Creek on US 221 With two inches of rain recorded at Grandfather Mountain over the last 24 hours, the area streams are up and roaring. This view of Wilson Creek from US 221, four miles north of Grandfather’s Entrance Gate, is showing some initial signs of fall color. The most color is still to be found at higher elevations in this area like the Blue Ridge Parkway. (Photo by Landis Wofford) The weather is expected to improve Wednesday with lots of sunshine through the end of the week. While the highest elevations of Grandfather are at peak color right now, the widespread peak on the Mountain should be sometime over the next seven days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
valkhorn Posted October 2, 2012 Share Posted October 2, 2012 If you're willing to do a bit of walking instead of driving (and are willing to get outside of your car), I suggest any trail above 4500' in the Smoky Mountains for next weekend. By the weekend after that, the entire park should be near peak/at peak/past peak. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nchighcountrywx Posted October 3, 2012 Author Share Posted October 3, 2012 NC High Country Fall Leaf Color Picture of the Day Wednesday 03OCT12 Photo and commentary courtesy of Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. The fog has lifted and the flanks of Grandfather Mountain have come alive with fall color. The next few days should be beautiful at elevations above 4,000 feet. This photo was taken by Skip Sickler at Linville Bluffs. While still an overcast day on Grandfather, Wednesday’s weather is a big improvement over the beginning of the week. Even better weather is expected for Thursday, Friday and Saturday. NC High Country areas above 3,500 feet will be great for leaf lookers this weekend and early next week. Beech Mountain, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk and the Tynecastle area are especially colorful Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nchighcountrywx Posted October 5, 2012 Author Share Posted October 5, 2012 NC High Country Fall Leaf Color Picture of the Day Thursday 04OCT12 Photo and commentary courtesy of Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. Grandfather Mountain and the surrounding areas are gorgeous right now with fall color and blue skies, as seen in this Monty Combs photo taken at Milepost 302.1 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. NC High Country areas above 3,500 feet will be great for leaf lookers this weekend and early next week. Beech Mountain, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk and the Tynecastle area are especially colorful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nchighcountrywx Posted October 5, 2012 Author Share Posted October 5, 2012 NC High Country Fall Leaf Color Picture of the Day Friday 05OCT12 Photo and commentary courtesy of Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. The fall color is coming in nicely at the Linn Cove Viaduct and will continue to do so this weekend. The area around Grandfather Mountain is peaking right now down to about 4,000 feet with a more widespread peak expected next weekend for the portions of the region above 3,000 feet. (Photo by Monty Combs) This weekend is Autumn at Oz on Beech Mountain (another high elevation with great color right now). Other weekend events include the Ghost Train Halloween Festival at Tweetsie Railroad, the Brushy Mountain Apple Festival in North Wilkesboro, Art in the Park in Blowing Rock and the Todd New River Festival. For more information on area events or to plan a trip to the NC High Country please visit www.mountainsofnc.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nchighcountrywx Posted October 8, 2012 Author Share Posted October 8, 2012 Pictures from over the weekend are forthcoming. Here is a nice You Tube Video someone made Saturday from the SE Flanks of Grandfather Mountain from the Rough Ridge Trail Area. I always tell people that is one of the best bang for the buck hikes in the NW Mountains along the Blue Ridge Parkway Enjoy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nchighcountrywx Posted October 8, 2012 Author Share Posted October 8, 2012 Saturday 06OCT12 Tynecastle on NC 105 on North Flank of Grandfather Mountain Beech Mountain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nchighcountrywx Posted October 9, 2012 Author Share Posted October 9, 2012 NC High Country Fall Leaf Color Picture of the Day Saturday 06OCT12 Photo and commentary courtesy of Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. This Monty Combs image is looking south from the picnic area at Price Park, along the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 296. Fall color is brightening landscapes in the NC High Country from 3,000 feet in elevation and up with peak foliage currently at areas above 4,000 feet. This weekend is Autumn at Oz on Beech Mountain (another high elevation with great color right now). Other weekend events include the Ghost Train Halloween Festival at Tweetsie Railroad, the Brushy Mountain Apple Festival in North Wilkesboro and Art in the Park in Blowing Rock. For more information on area events or to plan a trip to the NC High Country please visit www.mountainsofnc.com. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nchighcountrywx Posted October 9, 2012 Author Share Posted October 9, 2012 NC High Country Fall Leaf Color Picture of the Day Sunday 07OCT12 Photo and commentary courtesy of Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. Much cooler air has invaded today with temperatures expected to dip below freezing at the top of Grandfather this evening. While there are still many trees yet to change in the area, each species of tree is now represented in the kaleidoscope of color on the hillsides, including this mountain maple photographed by Skip Sickler. A good way to enjoy the fall color in today’s showers would be a scenic drive. Beautiful routes this weekend are in the Blowing Rock area, on NC 105 between Foscoe and Linville, on NC 184 between Tynecastle and Banner Elk and the Blue Ridge Parkway around Grandfather Mountain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nchighcountrywx Posted October 9, 2012 Author Share Posted October 9, 2012 NC High Country Fall Leaf Color Picture of the Day Monday 08OCT12 Photo and commentary courtesy of Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. It’s a chilly day on Grandfather Mountain with morning temperatures in the low 30s at the Mile High Swinging Bridge. Fall color is still beautiful in the overcast weather as illustrated in this Skip Sickler photo of a stream along Wilson Creek just above the Blue Ridge Parkway. Beautiful routes right now are in the Blowing Rock and Boone areas, on NC 105 between Foscoe and Linville, on NC 184 between Tynecastle and Banner Elk, on 194 between Boone and Todd and the Blue Ridge Parkway around Grandfather Mountain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nchighcountrywx Posted October 9, 2012 Author Share Posted October 9, 2012 NC High Country Fall Leaf Color Picture of the Day Tuesday 09OCT12 Photo and commentary courtesy of Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. Price Lake, off the Blue Ridge Parkway near Blowing Rock, is another location that has transitioned to fall a bit earlier than normal this year. The trees around the lake have been beautiful for the last couple of weeks and now the leaves floating on the water’s surface are just as nice as the ones that have yet to fall. (Photo by Skip Sickler) The widespread peak for the area is expected to be this weekend. Brilliant color can be found all the way down to elevations of 2,500 feet, including the towns of Todd and Spruce Pine. The area offers a wide variety of ways to experience and enjoy fall color including hiking and biking trails, lazy rivers to fly fish or boat on, scenic drives and great downtown walks in Boone, Blowing Rock and West Jefferson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nchighcountrywx Posted October 10, 2012 Author Share Posted October 10, 2012 NC High Country Fall Leaf Color Picture of the Day Wednesday 10OCT12 Photo and commentary courtesy of Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. Winds are gusting from 30 mph to 40 mph this morning at the Mile High Swinging Bridge on Grandfather. It’s a beautiful day and as many leaves are falling, plenty still remain on the trees. (Photo by Skip Sickler) The widespread peak for the area is expected to be this weekend. Brilliant color can be found all the way down to elevations of 2,500 feet, including the towns of Todd and Spruce Pine. The area offers a wide variety of ways to experience and enjoy fall color including hiking and biking trails, lazy rivers to fly fish or boat on, scenic drives and great downtown walks in Boone, Blowing Rock and West Jefferson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DixieBlizzard Posted October 10, 2012 Share Posted October 10, 2012 Beautiful!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nchighcountrywx Posted October 11, 2012 Author Share Posted October 11, 2012 NC High Country Fall Leaf Color Picture of the Day Thursday 11OCT12 Photo and commentary courtesy of Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. Yesterday was a blustery day at Grandfather and many leaves did fall to the ground. However, many leaves still remain on the trees as illustrated in the Skip Sickler photo taken at MacRae Meadows. Today’s beautiful weather should continue through the weekend and be great for leaf lookers. Brilliant color can be found all the way down to elevations of 2,500 feet, including the towns of Todd and Spruce Pine. US 221 between Linville and Blowing Rock is beginning to come alive with fall color and should be another popular route that is beautiful over the next week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nchighcountrywx Posted October 12, 2012 Author Share Posted October 12, 2012 NC High Country Fall Leaf Color Picture of the Day Friday 12OCT12 Photo and commentary courtesy of Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. Today's photo shows the North Profile Trail up the North Side of Grandfather Mountain. The trail is accessable from NC105 in the Tynecastle area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nchighcountrywx Posted October 12, 2012 Author Share Posted October 12, 2012 Rough Ridge Trail on the SE Flank of Grandfather Mountain: A big Thanks and big Shout Out to Vann in our weather group for his blog posting on the Grandfather Mountain Rough Ridge views today. Rough Ridge will continue to provide superb leaf color views looking down into the valleys over the next 2 weeks. http://blueridgeimpr...tain-in-autumn/ When traveling north on The Blue Ridge Parkway toward Blowing Rock and Boone, you pass over the famous Linn Cove Viaduct along the eastern slopes of iconic Grandfather Mountain. Opened just fifteen years ago, this marvel of highway engineering finally connects the north and south portions of this national scenic roadway. Less than a mile past the Viaduct is the entrance to Rough Ridge Trail, a demanding 480 foot elevation climb that takes you to the most precarious rock outcroppings along the entire Parkway. The jagged peaks of 5,945 foot high Grandfather loom to the northwest, and the blue ridges of the eastern Appalachians unfold as far as the eye can see. The autumn colors are nearing their peak at these high elevations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calculus1 Posted October 13, 2012 Share Posted October 13, 2012 Rough Ridge Trail on the SE Flank of Grandfather Mountain: A big Thanks and big Shout Out to Vann in our weather group for his blog posting on the Grandfather Mountain Rough Ridge views today. Rough Ridge will continue to provide superb leaf color views looking down into the valleys over the next 2 weeks. I was at Rough Ridge today myself. I took a few similar shots. I'll share: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calculus1 Posted October 13, 2012 Share Posted October 13, 2012 And just a few more: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NCSNOW Posted October 17, 2012 Share Posted October 17, 2012 Keep the pics coming and thanks for sharing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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