Early Autumn Colors, 2016
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Greetings and the very best of fall to you!
It’s October 10th and Alistair and I are just getting back from our Autumn Waterfalls Workshop. We had an awesome group this trip and I think I can speak for both Alistair and myself in saying that we they were all go getters and we saw some great images throughout the entire weekend!
I came home yesterday with a brand new strawberry on my right knee, which smarts a good bit this morning. A refreshing and mindful reminder to be careful out there as you explore the reaches of the backcountry! The wet leaves and rocks can be a game changer with both body and equipment.
Living Waters, 2015
I thought I would share a few early hot spots we found on our weekend adventure. Lots of folks have been asking, so here goes….
As of today(Oct. 10), the early colors are at these locations in the High Country near Boone… Rough Ridge, Beacon Heights, Grandfather Mountain and Mt. Mitchell. Price Lake is showing some color as well. These areas took a slight beating with all the wind, but are still ok for now.
Heading South on the Parkway… select patches of early reds and yellows can be found between Boone and Asheville. The color has not hit peak, nor has it headed into the valleys just yet. The best color was found at the higher elevations like Graveyard Fields, Mt. Pisgah, Devils Courthouse, etc.. Panthertown Valley was also hitting pretty good. Most of the lower elevation waterfalls were still predominately green with select yellows. Water levels are good to fair. Eastatoe falls and Dry falls were getting pretty low.
Other areas worth a check are the higher elevations of the Smokies, Nantahalas and Pisgah National Forest. I haven’t been to Linville Gorge yet, but it should be getting some early color at the higher elevations and will most likely be hitting this weekend.
That’s it for now. I’ll be following with a more extensive report towards the end of the week. Colors should really be popping by then. At the current rate of the change and without a rain and high wind calamity, there is a good chance of color hanging around the full week of the 17th. Perhaps even later in select locations.
Please add your own color updates below as you find them.
Good Luck out there. Be safe and have fun!
Tommy & Alistair
Raven’s Rock Falls, 2015
