The 2017 Fall Foliage Report

We are quickly approaching the fall season. With the changing of the season and the cooler weather. The leaves will start to change. Once that occurs everyone likes to go see the leaves in the mountains. To get a preview of whats coming our way. Here is a brief article to let you know when the peak times are expected for the Fall Foliage to occur this year.

To help you plan any trips you may be taking to the mountains here is a brief week by week forecast on when the leaves will be at peak in the western NC Mountains.

October 3-12: Highest elevations north of Asheville (above 5,000 feet) show the most color, especially in the Mount Mitchell, Craggy Gardens, Grandfather Mountain, Beech Mountain, Rough Ridge, Waterrock Knob and Graveyard Fields areas.

October 10-20: Color will increase in elevations greater than 4,000 feet, including the areas near Mount Pisgah, Black Balsam and Devil's Courthouse southwest of Asheville on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It will also be peak color in the Cashiers area, including Whiteside Mountain with the Shadow of the Bear and plenty of waterfalls to enjoy, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

October 18-25: Many of the surrounding mountains around Asheville show plenty of color, especially in the 3,000-4,000 foot elevation range. Take the Parkway north or south from Asheville or drive the Forest Heritage Scenic Byway. A great hike in Pisgah National Forest would be Looking Glass Rockor Cradle of Forestry. North of Asheville, head to Banner Elk and Linville Gorge, with hikes to the top of Table Rock and Hawksbill Mountain. West of Asheville, Bryson City and Fontana Lake areas will peak.

October 22-30: The city of Asheville (2,000 feet elevation) shows the brightest colors, including Biltmore Estate, along with areas around Sylva and Saluda. This is the perfect time for a waterfall hike in DuPont State Forest or a leisurely walk at the NC Arboretum.

October 27-November 5: The color show fills the Hickory Nut Gorge at Chimney Rock (elevation of 1,300 feet). Take a boat tour on Lake Lure. Also explore Lake James and South Mountains State Parks.

November 1-8: The foothills around Rutherfordton and the Tryon Foothills Wine Country will conclude the color show.

Then of course the color show will be occurring here at home as well. I know this is a time of the year that many people love and it gets many in a festive state of mind as we move toward the holidays. 

I will continue to provide updates as we get closer to the Fall Foliage Season. I will also provide week by week color maps to help you know when changes are happening in real time. As always thank you for following Rowan County Weather!