FALL FOLIAGE: Vibrant colors on display across the NC mountains
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This photo, taken from nearby Blowing Rock, marks the last in Grandfather Mountain’s 2018 Fall Color Gallery. Peak color may persist this week in the High Country but is expected to have passed by this coming weekend.
Autumn splendor embraces Grandfather Mountain, as seen from the nearby town of Seven Devils. Fall color continues to shine in certain areas of the High Country like Boone, Blowing Rock and, of course, their devilish counterpart. (Skip Sickler/GMSF)
Fall color surrounds a footbridge over the Linville River, heading toward Linville Falls. According to experts, if you still haven’t come up to see the fall colors, this week would be good, as well as next weekend. (Skip Sickler/GMSF)
Pictured Oct. 25, fall color is in full splendor at Big Lost Cove Cliffs near Linville, just north of the Lost Cove Cliffs Overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway. (Skip Sickler/GMSF)
Fall color bursts into view near a dam at Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk. And there should still be more to come, as the color change progresses through lower elevations in the High Country and beyond. (Skip Sickler/GMSF)
Fall colors frame the view of Grandfather Mountain from Cannon Memorial Hospital in Linville. Although higher elevations are mostly bereft of leaves, color can still be found in various lower-elevation locations. (Skip Sickler/GMSF)
Fall color finds its way down the Blue Ridge Parkway, as seen from the View Calloway Peak Overlook. High winds blew away much of the higher-elevation foliage, but there’s still color to be seen in some of the area’s lower elevations. (Monty Combs)
Fall color reflects on Price Lake, located along the Blue Ridge Parkway near Blowing Rock. High winds cleared many leaves from higher elevations while mid- to lower elevations are showing a mix of seasonal hues and green. (Skip Sickler/GMSF)
A sunset near the Blue Ridge Parkway’s Linn Cove Viaduct adds some pinks and purples to the autumn palette with color finally peaking in higher elevations. (Skip Sickler/GMSF)
The Linn Cove Viaduct remains a popular vantage point to take in the High Country’s autumn splendor. Fall color is exploding around this particular area of the Blue Ridge Parkway and Grandfather Mountain. (Skip Sickler/GMSF)
Cool, clear days and nights have jump-started fall color in the High Country, as demonstrated by this view of the Blue Ridge Parkway from Grandfather Mountain’s Top Shop. (Skip Sickler/GMSF)
Golden autumn hues frame the Boone Fork Bridge, located near mile 299.9 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. For more Grandfather Mountain fall color photos, or to plan a trip, visit grandfather.com. (Skip Sickler/GMSF)
A herd of deer forages in MacRae Meadows at the base of Grandfather Mountain. Cooler temperatures in the Western North Carolina High Country seem to have jump-started the fall color change at higher elevations. (Skip Sickler/GMSF)
Rough Ridge is an exceptionally popular spot on the Blue Ridge Parkway, and as one of the most colorful spots during autumn, it’s easy to see why. (Skip Sickler/GMSF)
Framed by bursting fall color, a typically calm waterfall near the intersection of U.S. 221 and the Blue Ridge Parkway (MP 305) surges after Thursday's heavy rains from Hurricane Michael.
Fall color continues its slow, but steady, progression through the High Country, seen here at Cold Prong Overlook, located at Milepost 299 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. (Skip Sickler/GMSF)
Rain and fog clear for a moment of autumn brilliance near Stack Rock on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Fog clears over Price Lake to showcase reflections of fall color. The leaf change is still progressing slowly, but next week’s forecast calls for much cooler weather with bright days and cold nights, the combination could hasten the process.
Fog clears over Price Lake to showcase reflections of fall color. The leaf change is still progressing slowly, but next week’s forecast calls for much cooler weather with bright days and cold nights, the combination could hasten the process.
Fog clears over Price Lake to showcase reflections of fall color. The leaf change is still progressing slowly, but next week’s forecast calls for much cooler weather with bright days and cold nights, the combination could hasten the process.
Fall color begins to burst near Stack Rock Creek, near milepost 304 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Although much of the High Country remains green, isolated ridges along the Parkway are starting to showcase autumn’s hues. (Skip Sickler/GMSF)
An eastern box turtle makes its way across Grandfather Mountain's main road, near the park's covered picnic shelter and Nature Museum. (Skip Sickler/GMSF)
Picnics are in season at Grandfather Mountain, as fall colors cast an autumnal glow in the park’s Woods Walk Picnic Area. Experts believe it may be a little while longer before the colors peak, especially at lower elevations. (Skip Sickler/GMSF)
Green turns to gold on the straightaway leading toward Grandfather Mountain's famous switchbacks up to the Mile High Swinging Bridge. According to Dr. Howie Neufeld trees could begin to develop their seasonal hues quite quickly. (Skip Sickler/GMSF)
Grandfather Mountain’s fall colors offer a striking contrast with the fog surrounding Linville Peak, as seen from the park’s Linville Bluffs picnic area. Although it’s been slow to arrive, autumn foliage is beginning to burst. (Skip Sickler/GMSF)
Autumn’s brilliance is starting to fall on Grandfather Mountain! Some of the higher elevations are already off to a good start, as this view from Grandfather Mountain’s Black Rock parking lot demonstrates. (Skip Sickler/GMSF)
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