Last Updated on September 30, 2016 12:21 pm
As the leaves start changing, here's this week's look at fall color from Grandfather Mountain. For more information about the changing colors across the area visit Fall Color Report
Fall color shines near Stack Rock on the Blue Ridge Parkway (Milepost 304.8). According to experts, the area has seen very minimal increases in color throughout the last week, due to higher than average temperatures and dry conditions. But the road to Grandfather Mountain's Mile High Swinging Bridge is growing ever more colorful, thanks to the yellow birch, fire cherry, American ash, yellow buckeye, red maple and hobblebush that are painting the landscape with vibrant autumn hues. Photo by Skip Sickler | Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation
A Blue Ridge dawn offers a striking backdrop, as mountain ash bursts into color atop Grandfather Mountain's Linville Peak. From Linville Peak, spectators can see color forming around the Seven Devils area along the south-facing ridge tops. Early last week, a faint change in color could be seen, but by Saturday, Sept. 24, the dry, rocky ridges on the south slope were predominately red and orange.
Photo by Skip Sickler | Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation
Fall color is on exhibit, as this view from Grandfather Mountain's Nature Museum illustrates. With temperatures continuing to drop at night, the change in color is on the rise. In fact, experts are predicting peak color this very weekend at elevations between 5,000 and 6,000 feet. Leaf-lookers are invited to see for themselves, as Grandfather Mountain kicks off its ‘Colors of Grandfather' guided walks this weekend, Oct. 1 and 2. For more information, or to plan a trip, visit www.grandfather.com. Photo by Skip Sickler | Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation
While more prevalent at elevations higher than 5,000 feet, fall color is rapidly spreading through the 4,000-foot range, as this scene near the Blue Ridge Parkway’s Linn Cove Viaduct demonstrates. As autumn continues its march, higher elevations, like those on the parkway and Grandfather Mountain, will afford leaf-lookers an opportunity to also see the foliage changing in the valleys below. For more fall color photos, visit https://goo.gl/YTWIjJ. Photo by Skip Sickler | Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation
