We're heading toward the end of October and there is a lot of color activity going on around western North Carolina.  Colors seem to be changing later this year likely due to the unusual warm weather we had in September and early October.  But colors and quickly appearing and disappearing too.

Around the Hendersonville and Brevard area, the colors have peaked and after some heavy rains today, the trees may have lost a lost of their leaves.  I was around the Looking Glass Falls area just yesterday, see image below, and I couldn't believe how fast the leaves were dropping.

Woody Falls Oct. 2020

Started my day at Hooker Falls in the DuPont State Forest and colors were very nice there.  But don't think they will last much longer.

Hooker Falls - Oct. 2019

Hooker Falls

My next stop in DuPont was Triple Falls.  Colors appeared to be near or at peak.

Triple Falls - Oct. 2019

I'm heading up to Linville Falls tomorrow.  I have seen photos and the colors appear to be reaching peak around the falls right now.  The Linville Gorge itself is still pretty green at the moment.

I was around the Linn Cove Viaduct this past Sunday and the colors weren't great, plus it was super windy.  We continued a bit north to Rough Ridge to photograph the bridge and the colors looked poor and beyond peak.  Further north we stopped at the Boone Fork turnoff to photograph the bridge.  Amazingly, the colors looked pretty good but the water levels were very low.

Oct 2019

Further west around Cashiers and Highlands, colors were just getting started, at peak, or past peak.  Whitewater Falls was just starting to get colors and I may revisit there Friday.  Dry Falls was close to peak. 

Dry Falls - Oct. 2019

Finally, my understanding is that the Great Smoky Mountain National Park is at peak for the highest elevations near Clingman's Dome.  Lower elevations are just getting started.  

I'll try to post shortly once I get back from far western North Carolina and the Smoky's.  Rain is in our forecast beginning Sunday through most of the extended forecast.  Enjoy autumn's show!!