Pre-Fall Foliage Report (Jasper, Norris: hotel, live in, costs)

[LauraC]

I saw this article this morning about Fall foliage and the western North Carolina mountains this year. Since Tennessee shares those mountains, I thought you might want to read it.

"Although peak fall color typically occurs during the third week of October, the peak may arrive a bit later this year, perhaps more toward the end of October, because of the warm temperatures, Mathews said. 'Peak color corresponds to the first frost date of the year,' she stated. 'If frost comes later than usual, so will the peak color change of the leaves.'”

Fall foliage forecaster predicts colorful autumn | McDowellNews.com

[TN Tin Man]

Like it said in the article.. "Rain" which makes the natural sugars in the tree.. which make the color and how intense the color will be.. and that cool or cold snap.. out come the "Leaf Peepers"
So this is the time too book that hotel for the week or week end in the Smokies.. or the Plateau....

[yarddawg]

Eh, should be a good year on the Plateau compared to the last few, if we ever get any cold weather - 88 yesterday, 83 today, low to mid 80's predicted for the next 10 - but probably not a great one. We've had enough rain but it's been too buggy, everything is chewed pretty bad. Makes for a lot of brown edges dulling down the color.

[LauraC]

If you live in the vicinity of Norris Dam State Park, you might want to go with the rangers on their pontoon boat out on the lake to see the Fall color. I did it last year and made a reservation for this year. You have to make a reservation. I think it costs $6 and it's about an hour and a half out on the water. You board the boat in the marina next to the dam.

Friends of Norris Dam State Park

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by LauraC

If you live in the vicinity of Norris Dam State Park, you might want to go with the rangers on their pontoon boat out on the lake to see the Fall color. I did it last year and made a reservation for this year. You have to make a reservation. I think it costs $6 and it's about an hour and a half out on the water. You board the boat in the marina next to the dam.

Friends of Norris Dam State Park

Wow! How cool is that? I also did not know about the Friends of Norris Dam State Park. Thank you very much for this!

[jasperhobbs]

We are planning on being in Smokies and North Carolina week of October 11-18. Hope we see good color.

Jasper Hobbs

[DubbleT]

i just saw a Maple tree showing the first bit of red for the season.

[Lamplight]

My walnut tree is already losing its leaves. But they don't really change color much, they just turn slightly yellowish-green and fall off. But it does this every year. In Middle TN, I've noticed you'll see a few changing trees popping up here and there throughout mid-late October, while all the other leaves are still green. By the end of October, some of the trees will be bare, some changing color, and many still green. Then for a few days in early November most of the still-green ones change, with a very few green stragglers still hanging on, and a lot of trees already bare. And a lot if not most of our trees just turn kind of greenish yellow. Then it rains, knocks all the remaining leaves off the trees, and everything is brown practically overnight. We usually don't have the prettiest Fall, but I still love Fall.

[LauraC]

Originally Posted by jasperhobbs

We are planning on being in Smokies and North Carolina week of October 11-18. Hope we see good color.

Jasper Hobbs

If it's normal, closer to the 18th will be better than the 11th. Last year I went to Cades Cove on October 16, 24 and 30. On the 16th, the mountains and the cove were still mostly green. I'd say stick to the highest elevations for the week you will be here.

[BarbG]

Laura, thanks for the heads up on on the fall foliage cruises. We signed up today!