Hiking Trails Blogs

Kathy Mathews, an associate professor of biology at Western Carolina University told the Franklin Press that it appears the rainy September may have a negative impact on leaf color this fall.

"That doesn't mean that there won't be any fall color," Mathews said. "There definitely will be and I've already seen some trees change a little bit. But it may not be as bright as we're used to seeing."

However, Mathews does think that we'll have more time to observe the fall foliage this year. One positive effect of the wet weather is that trees tend to hold onto their leaves instead of dropping them early as they do in drought years - as in the last two years.

The Press put together a good article which goes into a little bit of the detail on how leaves turn different colors in the fall.

The article also stated that the last two weeks in October are usually the best time to view fall colors in the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests.

As far as the Great Smokies are concerned, Steve Kemp over at the Great Smoky Mountain Association updated his Fall Leaf Color Report again today. He's reporting that fall colors are now coming on strong at the highest elevations in the park. He also said that fall colors are popping up all over in the valleys as well.

His report states that the next two weeks should be an excellent time to hike at the western end of the park at places in the vicinity of Cades Cove and Tremont (Rich Mountain Loop, School House Gap, Middle Prong, or Abrams Falls trails) where sourwoods, blackgums, and dogwoods are numerous. Higher elevation hikes such as the Appalachian Trail, Thomas Divide, Flat Creek, and Road Prong should also be extremely pleasant this week.


Jeff
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