The Hunt for Red October - Great Smoky Mountains Fall Foliage Update

October 15, 2007 - Courtesy of Steve Kemp and the Great Smoky Mountains Association

Fall colors will be at peak this week in many areas of the Smoky Mountain high country (above 4,500'). Yellow birch, American beech, pin cherry, American mountain-ash, witch-hobble, and mountain maple are all showing excellent color. This high elevation color peak is later than average.

Good places to see fall color include: Newfound Gap Road, Clingmans Dome Road, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and Heintooga Ridge Road to Balsam Mountain Campground.

Suggested hikes: the Appalachian Trail to Charlies Bunion, the spruce-fir self-guiding nature trail, Gregory Bald Trail, and Mt. Cammerer.

At the lower elevations, sunny days and cool nights are nudging fall colors along. Black gum, dogwood, sumacs, and sourwood trees continue to show vivid reds. Golds are coming along on tuliptree, black walnut, birch, beech, and hickories. A few scattered maples and oaks are showing the first signs of fall colors. The peak of color at the lower elevations is over a week away.

Suggested hikes: Rich Mountain Loop, Chestnut Top Trail, Smokemont Loop.

• Click Here for Basic Fall Color Information


• Click Here for Fall Drives


• Click Here for Fall Hikes


• GSMNP Fall Hikes & Drives

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