Fall Colors

Posted: October 12, 2011

How many of you are traveling to the mountains this month to observe the turning of the leaves? Where will you go to see the spectacular colors? I would like to leave this blog open to comments on the best places to go.

I'm planning to take a route recommended by author Carolyn Sakowski who wrote Touring the Western North Carolina Backroads. Carolyn has crafted almost two dozen trips embracing both the beauty and history of the mountains. I am going to try the route that begins in Roaring Gap and descends to Stone Mountain and then winds up in Doughton Park along the Blue Ridge Parkway. I will let you know how things go. I promise to take lots of pictures as well.

For those of you who live in the mountains please keep us posted on the fall colors

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Sunday PM we went to Valle Crusis first and found many of the trees bare already. Then to Banner Elk and more color. Up Grandfather Mountain to cross the bridge. Great views of color on the various ranges. Then down the parkway where color seemed at peak but the best was driving down 181 into your old hometown of Morganton.

dharper22
October 17, 2011 5:39 p.m.

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Last Sunday we were in Marion and Asheville. Color was developing rapidly in Asheville...rosey reds in among the yellow and green. This week we plan to head up toward Grandfather mountain.

dharper22
October 13, 2011 6:12 p.m.

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Heading up to the cabin this weekend and will be there all of next week. We're in Ashe County on the New River close to Jefferson and West Jefferson. I'll try to remember to let you know how things are looking around there and maybe send a few pics. If you've never been to this area, I would encourage you not to. You'll love it and not want to leave. ;)

Wheelman
October 13, 2011 10:09 a.m.

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Bill, I'm in Brevard, Burnsville & Murphy the next few days & will report back. Tip for the Ashe/Allegheny tour in Touring Western N.C. Backroads. Towards the end of that tour, I noted they will be doing construction on hwy NC 16 near the intersection of NC 88/16 at the New River but detour signs will get you around it to the frescoes at the Church of Holy Trinity in Glendale Springs, which are well worth the detour. Carolyn Sakowski

sakowski
October 13, 2011 10:06 a.m.

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Heading west this weekend to Rowan Co (Salisbury) for a reunion and hope to see some beginning of colors on this trip. Otherwise just enjoying the local color until Nov 4 when we're heading on I-40 thru Asheville and on into NW Tenn near the Ky border. Hope there may still be some color for that trip. Anxious to see your pics.

eyesblue
October 12, 2011 5:41 p.m.

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Looking forward to taking in all the colors in about a week and a half. My husband and I will be passing that way as we travel to Pigeon Forge, Tenn.. October is a beautiful month. Love the weather.

mjk111259
October 12, 2011 4:11 p.m.

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Thanks Glass Half Full! I'd forgotten about that. The rock wall restoration on the Blue Ridge Parkway is taking longer than usual.

bleslie
October 12, 2011 3:33 p.m.

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Way too much traffic and crowds in the mountains this time of year to deal with, not to mention the jacked up prices...would rather stay home and enjoy the local colors