PEAK LEAF COLOR FORECAST BY ELEVATION

Leaf color prediction forecasts are done based on elevation.  Higher elevations will see color earlier due to the cooler temperatures.  Some things to consider that effect leaf color is the amount of rain, wind and heat the High Country receives during September and October.  That is something we cannot predict! Here is breakdown by elevation:

• Last Week of September- 6,000 Elevation (Mt Mitchell, Grandfather Mountain) 
• 1st Week of October- 5,000 Elevation (Beech Mountain, Rough Ridge Trail MP 302.9)
• 2nd Week of October- 4,000 Elevation (Banner Elk, Jumpingoff Rocks Trail MP 260.3) 
• 3rd Week of October- 3,000 Elevation (Boone, Blowing Rock, West Jefferson, Price Lake MP 297)
• 4th Week of October- 2,000 Elevation (Wilkesboro, Stone Mountain State Park, Yadkin Valley Overlook MP 289.8)

CURRENT 2019 FALL LEAF COLOR REPORTS
The High Country of North Carolina offers the best in Leaf Peeping.  Driving the Blue Ridge Parkway with its views of peaks and valleys and visiting the small towns of the Blue Ridge Mountains can give you an elevation change that insures you see fall color at some point!   Here is a list of websites that are updated daily or weekly with current fall color conditions that can help you plan your trip:

1. ASU FALL COLOR GUY - Read weekly fall color reports written by Appalachian State University’s Department of Biology.  You can also view his Fall Color Map and essays on the science of fall leaf color.
2. FOLIAGE NETWORK - View a weekly updated SouthEast regional map of current fall color conditions.
   
3. GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN - Starting September 20th, the most popular outdoor attraction of the High Country will start posting daily photos of the current fall color!  This is a great way to gauge the color change along the High Country section of the Blue Ridge Parkway!