Scenic Fall Drive of the Week - High Points of the Parkway Southern Route

As the fall color just begins to emerge at the higher elevations around Asheville, this week's themed fall scenic drive is High Points on the Blue Ridge Parkway (the southern route). Following this suggested route will allow you to pass through varying elevations, and stop at the highest elevations just north of the Asheville area:

• Starting from Asheville, take the Blue Ridge Parkway south to Mount Pisgah (elevation 5,721 feet), which is expected to peak any day now. This is a nice spot to picnic, or enjoy a meal at the Pisgah Inn Restaurant.


• Continue south along the parkway to the Looking Glass Rock Overlook for a splendid view of a unique rock formation. Just south of that you will find Graveyard Fields (elevation 5,120), a great spot to enjoy an autumn hike.


• Continue south to the Highest Point on the Parkway, at an elevation of 6,047 feet. Pull off at the Richland Balsam overlook there.


• Return to the parkway, and head north to return to Asheville.

Total driving distance is about 50 miles each way. You can also do a modified, shorter version of the drive by simply going as far as Graveyard Fields (40 miles each way) and returning or just hitting Mount Pisgah (30 miles each way).

Also see: Fall Scenic Drives Fall Scenic Motorcycle Rides Fall Scenic Craft Trail Drives

First Peak Fall Foliage Expected This Weekend

The fall foliage is still emerging throughout the area in splashes of burgundy and gold. As the weather cools and prompts the leaves to begin their fall color change, peak color is anticipated any day at the highest points just north and south of Asheville.

The Blue Ridge Parkway spans many elevations, making it a great way to hunt for color as it tends to start high and work its way to the lower elevations.

"We're expecting a rapid onset of peak color just north and south of Asheville," the Blue Ridge Parkway Fall Color Hotline states, and they do not expect the recent dry weather to impact the display of color. "Leaf color can be just as brilliant."

Along the parkway, the hawk and monarch butterfly migrations are beginning. The busiest time for visitors is almost here, and parkway officials urge leaf peepers to visit on weekdays if possible.

Fall Color Report (2,500 Elevation and Below)

Even at the lower elevations, the first touches of fall color are beginning to show. "We are seeing some," said Glenda Morrow with the Black Mountain - Swannanoa Chamber of Commerce. "The dogwoods are turning, they're a pretty marroonish hue. Some of our sourwood ash and birch are starting to turn. It's just starting."

At Biltmore, the first cool nights and shorter days are spurring a spark of fall color, according to Director of Horticulture Parker Andes. Dogwoods and sourwoods are showing some burgundy, and tulip poplars are displaying the occasional burst of yellow. The interior leaves of Sweet Pepper bush and Sweetspire are turning orange and burgundy.

Fall Color Report (Elevation of 2,500 to 4,000)

Julie Trzeciajk with Nantahala National Forest, said the fall color is just beginning to appear. "I see spots of sourwood that are kind of a burgundy color," she said.

Fall Color Report (4,000 Feet and Above)

The fall foliage peak could come as early as this weekend at the highest elevations, expected first at spots around 6,000 feet high like Mt. Pisgah south of Asheville and Mt. Mitchell north of Asheville.

"What leaves we have at elevations 6,000 and above will probably be peaking this weekend," predicted Jack Bradley, superintendent of Mt. Mitchell State Park, featuring the highest peak east of the Mississippi. "At the highest elevations, they will be the prettiest this weekend."

Grandfather Mountain (pictured above at Linville Gap, photo taken on Sept. 21) is seeing small pockets of color as the first signs of autumn emerge. They are awaiting a few nippy nights to bring the fall color change along quickly.

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First signs of fall color at Grandfather Mountain's Linville Gap, photo by Catherine Morton of Grandfather Mountain.

Submitted Fall Pictures

We have received some great, cool fall pictures to share.

This one of Lake Tomahawk last fall was submitted by Jennifer of Asheville:



This one, submitted by Becky of Charlotte, shows off the mountains in a display of color last fall.



Have you captured some of the fall color, either this year or in the past? Be sure you submit your best fall pictures! Or you can just see more fall pictures.

Asheville Fall Color Hunter Badge

Show your love of Fall in Asheville, or your participation as an Asheville Fall Color Hunter, by displaying an Asheville Color Hunter badge on your site.

To use the Fall Color Hunter badge on your blog, MySpace page or Web site, simply copy and paste the code below:

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Scenic Fall Drive of the Week - High Points on the Blue Ridge Parkway

As the fall color just begins to emerge at the higher elevations around Asheville, this week's themed fall scenic drive is High Points on the Blue Ridge Parkway (the northern route). Following this suggested route will allow you to pass through varying elevations, and stop at the highest elevations just north of the Asheville area:

• Starting from Asheville, take the Blue Ridge Parkway north to Mount Mitchell (elevation 6,684 feet). This is the highest peak east of the Mississippi River.
• Continue north along the parkway, and you will pass by Linville Falls, and take one of two hiking trails to see either the upper or lower waterfalls here.
• Continue north on the Blue Ridge Parkway to Grandfather Mountain (5,890 feet, pictured), where you can see the fall foliage appearing from the swinging bridge.
• Drive back onto the parkway, and head south to return to Asheville.

Total drive time is 1.5 hours each way. You can also do a modified, shorter version of the drive by simply going to Mt. Mitchell and returning, a very pretty scenic drive in its own right, at 45 minutes each way.

Also see: Fall Scenic Drives Fall Scenic Motorcycle Rides Fall Scenic Craft Trail Drives

First Hints of Fall Color Appearing

The first signs of fall color are bursting to life in pockets at varying elevations around the Asheville area. This is a great time to check out some of our recommended early fall scenic drives.

Fall Color Report (2,500 Elevation and Below)

This early in the fall color season, the color is spotty, but it's also quite stunning. At the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, the dwarf dogwood bushes (pictured above) entering the 434-acre public garden are coated in bright yellow, with just a tinge of green remaining on top.

The Arboretum, at around 2,500 feet, also features the largest Bonsai collection in the Southeast, and the outdoor garden of miniatures also turns color for fall. In fact, the Japanese maple in the Bonsai garden featured a bold burgundy shade on leaves along the edges. The fall mums in the Quilt Garden (pictured below) are in bloom.

"We're seeing a lot of our ornamental grasses and fall wildflowers that are starting to really show," said Angie Chandler of the Arboretum. Trees like dogwoods, sourwoods and blackgum are also beginning to turn.

Fall Color Report (Elevation of 2,500 to 4,000)

Just north of Asheville, in Boone, with an elevation around 3,300 feet, a later peak is expected at this area that is typically one of the first to peak in Western North Carolina.

Mac Forehand, director of the Boone Chamber, said dogwood trees, decorative maples and sumac bushes are just starting to turn colors. They usually start changing in late August, though, and are a couple weeks behind. He predicts the peak will be splendid when it does arrive. "I think we're going to do very well," he said. "I think maybe because things have been so warm, it's going to run late. Almost nothing’s starting."

Fall Color Report (4,000 Feet and Above)

The first peaks of fall typically occur at the highest elevations in the Western North Carolina mountains, and some of those elevations are seeing the first signs of autumn.

"We have one little pocket at Linville Gap where the trees always turn earlier, and they are starting to show a little color," said Catherine Morton at Grandfather Mountain, situated north of Asheville at 5,864 feet and featuring a swinging bridge to take in the fall landcape.

That area still hasn't seen the color begin to emerge full-force, however. "It will happen fast when it happens, but it hasn’t happened yet," she said.

Along the Blue Ridge Parkway, locust trees are starting their fall color change. There are also beautiful fall flowers blooming, including aster and goldenrod. Above elevations of 5,000 feet, poplar and birch trees are turning yellow and blueberry bushes are turning red, according to the parkway report. Asheville area locations such as Graveyard Fields, Mount Pisgah and Mount Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi, are above 5,000 feet.

At the Pisgah Inn at Mount Pisgah, the color is also just starting to appear. "There are pockets of color," said inn manager Bruce O'Connell. "It's real spotty, but it's pretty brilliant right now."

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Will Recent Rain Help the Fall Color?

The recent rainfall probably won't benefit leaf color as much as the anticipated cold weather might, according to Dr. Gary Walker, Appalachian State University biology professor. A cold front bringing lows in the 40s in high elevation areas and even 30s in the northern mountains could significantly impact the intensity of leaf color. The leaf season may not be as lengthy overall due to dry conditions, but a cold snap could produce bright color, especially near streams and watershed slopes.



Find out more, including our predictions of when and where to find fall color: Fall Color Report

Extreme Autumn

Why simply be a leaf peeper, when you can come to Asheville and experience autumn to the extreme? Sure you can view the fall foliage, which is stunning here, but you can also see the splendid fall leaves from the air. You can take a scenic fall drive, or you can get adventurous and go on a scenic fall motorcycle ride (you can even rent a Harley here!).

Not sure how extreme you are? Use our helpful Autumn Intensity Meter (of one, two or three leaves) to find autumn activities that are either mellow, intense or extreme.

Find out more: Extreme Autumn

Fall Foliage Forecast

Fall color hunters need not be discouraged by doom and gloom foliage predictions – Mother Nature has yet to play all her cards. Foliage experts agree that, although the South has experienced drought conditions this summer, the critical period for vibrant color is still to come in Western North Carolina.

“What happens in September will tell the color story for October and beyond,” said Chimney Rock Park Naturalist Ron Lance, who has more than 25 years experience studying native plant life. “Thunderstorms have helped on local levels within the mountains. More rain in the coming weeks followed by cool weather would bode well for a burst of fall color.”

“Weather highs and lows do not affect mountainous terrain like a uniform blanket,” Lance continued. “The varying topography, soils, geology and drainage patterns of the Blue Ridge Mountains support complex microclimates. Every year there are pockets of color that are more brilliant than general areas, so touring in October and November will reward visitors cruising for color, despite drought conditions.”

“The Blue Ridge Parkway produces strong leaf color year after year. Home to diverse microclimates, like sheltered coves where water drains down from the ridges, the Parkway is a good bet for leaf peepers,” said Dr. Gary Walker, a biology professor at Appalachian State University. “High elevations – like Grandfather Mountain and Balsam Mountain – will be rewarding as well, due to the likelihood of early frosts that lock in color intensifying leaf sugars.”