When do the leaves change color? (Asheville, Maggie Valley: trees, area, reservations)

[muse1110]

Someone was telling me it's early September but to me, that sounds way too early in the year for a true autumn landscape.

Thanks!

[Dire Wolf]

It is much later than that. They'll change at the higher elevations in the mountains first. Usually pretty late in October before we get significant color.

[muse1110]

Thanks, that was my feeling but I had no idea what the exact timeframes are.

Thanks again!

[autumngal]

And a spectacular show of autumn colors in the mountains it is!!! And here, especially around the lakes, with the reflections of trees in the water...I luv it.
Can ya tell,

autumngal

[CAKD]

You can keep track of the changing leaves in your area at this site:

The Foliage Network - Providing accurate fall foliage conditions, fall foliage reports, and travel information for New England, the Northeast, Southeast and Midwest United States

Last year when we drove the Blue Ridge Parkway in the second week of October the leaves were at mid peak. Down here in the raleigh area they had really just started to change. It happens quickly though as by November they were all falling off the trees at a steady pace.

[Robbyea]

thank you cakd that was an extremely helpful site. saved me from failing ym science project that i did late! haha

[bzoller]

Well the leaves actually start chaging colors in early september like to yellow but arnt at their peak until early october or so.

[JQ Public]

Didn't read the whole thread but our peak is usually the 1st wk of Nov.

[MarkCanWrite]

The nice thing about going to the mountains to see the color is that the leaf season lasts longer there due to the change in elevation. The change starts at the peaks first and then gradually makes its way down to the valleys over a period of three weeks or so. I've found that Maggie Valley is really beautiful, as is the Blue Ridge Parkway and Asheville. I've always wanted to stay at the Pisgah Inn, right on the Parkway, but I keep forgetting to make reservations - and they have to be made early.
Pisgah Inn, North Carolina - The Peak of the Parkway