Cherhola Parkway (Tellico Plains: purchase, trees, parks)

[Creekcat]

Wondering if the leaves have started to change up there? Starting to show some color here. If any one has gone there or goes this weekend, would you please let us know? Thank you.

[SPLIT]

C.C. Up top 5,000 ft elevation should be something. Just had the link in CHATT board. I was thru there in June , Tenn half very nice.
The Cherohala Skyway, a National Scenic Byway
.......... Cherohala Skyway Robbinsville NC - Tellico Plains TN
NO speeding on weekends.

[J&Em]

"J" reports from this morning's run on the motorcycle that it is "Pretty. Just turning but not peek color yet". Then again he sees it mostly as a blur! We figure somewhere between next weekend and the following one it will be at its best. Chillowee is more green than color, although there are some brilliant reds we can see from the house. The view from Foothills Parkway is probably about the same.

Emma

[Forest Breath]

The skyway is showing some changes after you get past Haw Knob going East from Tellico. Colors begin to dwindle around Wright's Cove. Nothing, even at Hooper Bald and Huckleberry, is at the peak yet. I would say after the cold spell expected this coming weekend it will start to peak very well. The wind from the other day caused the leaves to fall from some of the trees before peaking in color. I am not sure it is going to be a very colorful season, due to the lack of rain in the area. The Hickory, Walnut and Sourwood trees have all changed however. I frequent a few websites that has webcams of mountain areas. There is a good webcam at Joyce Kilmer and several in the Smokies. Here is the link to the JK webcam. You can view the shots from the last 24 hours. Check it once in awhile and it will give you a good idea as the elevation is close to the Skyway and JK is just at the east end.

Joyce Kilmer Real Time Camera

Here are the two webcams they have in the Smokies

NPS: Nature & Science» Air Resources Division - Great Smoky Mountains NP Web Camera

NPS: Nature & Science» Air Resources Division - Great Smoky Mountains NP Web Camera

One is at Purchase Knob the other at Look Rock

[Gretzky_99]

I went to Joyce Kilner a few years ago with some buddies.. those trees are huge!! It was a great little hike thru there....

[TNboundRN]

Purchase Knob is beautiful.

[kbg]

I travel all around in our great state every October and logged about 250 miles this weekend only to see slight changes in most views in exception to some particular species that will put off good color early but also shed quickly as well, it seems every year the change is little until the month is almost gone.