Last Weeks of Peak Color for 2013 in the Great Smoky Mountains and Where It is.

The word unusual is what best describes the peak autumn leaf color of 2013. Well pretty, late and long lasting work too. With all that said, I will even throw in unpredictable too.

I have been chasing fall color in the Smokies for 15 years now and so far the pattern has been very clear and predictable. This year's fall starting and peak color has lasted longer than usual in most locations, and most spots are later than usual and surprisingly much is out of synch making it more of a challenge.

The great news for everyone coming to the Great Smoky Mountains to appreciate the fall leaf colors is that the weather has been wonderful with virtually no rainy days and most of the time seasonably warm except when we got a light dusting of snow on the higher elevations along Newfound Gap, Clingmans Dome, and the Blue Ridge Parkway.

All those sunny warm and dry days, has pushed the leaves to start changing color just a little latter than normal. It has also created more of an islands of color effect where spots of color appear caused by just a few trees close together change color more than large bands of color moving down the mountain at the same time.

Chimneys Overlook Fall Color
 

We have also seen where the fall color start and just stop as seen in the picture above taken at the Chimneys overlook 2 days ago where you can clearly see the tops of the ridge lost their leaves and was in peak last week, yet the lower part of the mountain that should be in peak right now is still in dark greens and yellows.

Normally when the top of this range is red, at least 300-400 feet below, the trees and bushes that change in the fall are very bright yellow and light green too. Clearly this is not the case.

Though peak color is at around 3,000 feet, a few spots such as along the Foothills Parkway Spur which more than 1,000 feet lower have dropped many leaves and have yet to peak color. The same can be seen in Cades Cove, Tremont, Greenbrier and Cataloochee.

Fall Color Middle Prong River Tremont
 

The picture above was taken yesterday at the Middle Prong River in Tremont where many trees have just turned yellow in the past 3 days. The bright reds and oranges are just around the corner.

The hiking trails in Tremont such as the West Prong Ridge Trail and the Lumber Ridge Trail are both very quiet and there is some fantastic color in spots that is only getting better by the day. Highly suggest both of these trails to see fall color and enjoy some tranquility.

The Middle Prong Trail in Tremont is much busier and has better color is spots. The 2 major waterfalls along the trail Lynn Camp Prong Falls and Indian Flat Falls have unusually light water flow, but are still very pretty.

Lynn Camp Prong Falls will be at peak color sometime late this week which may not last long. Indian Flats has mostly evergreens around it so anytime of the year is pretty.

Fall Sunrise in Cades Cove
 

Early mornings are beautiful in Cades Cove as pictured in sunrise this Sunday above. While peak color is working down the surrounding mountains ranges and should be still very bright and pretty into next week in parts, some of the color in the lower elevations never peaked and is surprisingly gone.

Don't get me wrong, with the help of some gentle moisture we could have an absolute riot of color still in Cades Cove as the trees with later colors to come out are still more than 80% green. At this rate we will have color into the second week in November.

Remember, Cades Cove does not open until sunrise to cars, but you are welcome to park At the orientation shelter by the entrance and walk in to watch the sunrise. Sunrise in Cades Cove is magical and before 9 am THIS LAST Sunday I saw bear, coyote, tons of deer and turkey.

The Cataloochee Valley about and 1-1/2 hours from Gatlinburg and its peak fall color is usually about 2 weeks ahead of Cades Cove due to the fact it is so much higher and generally colder as well.

Cataloochee Valley Fall Color
 

As you can see by the picture above taken 3 days ago, its fall leaf color is far from over along the peaks and down the mountainside.

Although the lower elevations along the valley floor are not very bright this year, just look in the distance and up the mountains and hill surrounding the valley and there is still plenty of great fall color to see.

Right now the best hiking trail to get the best fall leaf picture and enjoy stunning long range fall leaf season views is along the Cataloochee Divide Trail right at the park entrance.

Since the Cataloochee Divide Trail is not a loop, you can walk in a few minutes or hike in 10 miles or mile on this very easy trail. Take a break at the overlook with the large rock.

Down in the valley, Cataloochee is one of the best spots to see wildlife in the Great Smoky Mountains other than Cades Cove. Of the more than 150 plus elk that live in the Smokies, more than 90 call Cataloochee home.

Elk Rut Cataloochee Valley
 

The elk rut, which is their mating season, is just about over. Some of the elk such as the one pictured above who obviously lost a battle with another elk over a potential mate must be glad their days of fighting will be over next week.

Unlike the peak fall color in Cataloochee the elks mating timetable seems to be right where it should be. You should be able to still get some great elk photos with fall color in the background for at least another week or so. Far later than normal!

So where is the best fall color right now in the Great Smoky Mountains that should also be very bright, colorful and beautiful this coming weekend? the Foothills Parkway West in the photo below from yesterday is the place to go!

Foothills Parkway West Fall Color
 

Not only will the 18 mile long scenic drive thrill you will great colors surrounding you on both side of the road, make use of the pullouts on both sides of the road. The northern pull outs look out past Walland, Maryville, Townsend, Alcoa and all the way out to Knoxville. Best night view in the Smokies.

On the Southern facing pull outs you are looking out at the Great Smoky Mountains national park and in some cases down into Happy Valley as well. In my opinion, some of the best views in the Great Smoky Mountains are right off this roadway and they are never more beautiful than during fall.

Sunrises and sunsets off of the Foothills Parkway West are fantastic. If I could choose just one time, it would be sunrise when the fog can fill the valleys below. Indescribable.

So what is the best part of the fall peak leaf season for 2013? The fact that since it is running so late and lasting so long, that so many more people can enjoy it than usually can.

Where it is usually impossible to take advantage of any special deals on good cabin rentals, because the season should be over, there are still some cabin rentals left at the lower November rates and you can use the coupon below for an additional 10% discount!

Last Minute Cabin Rental Discount
 

Fall color report for Newfound Gap Road from Gatlinburg to Cherokee

Newfound Gap Road (US 441) is the most important and well traveled thoroughfare in the Great Smoky Mountains national park and it connects Gatlinburg Tennessee with Cherokee North Carolina and if you know where to look there are still some great fall colors.

Newfound Gap Road starts and ends is valleys and winds it way up and down some of the highest elevations in the park so when fall comes to the Smokies, the first great color in the trees leaves can be found on this road and the fall colors will last a month or more.

Newfound Gap Road has plenty of pull offs where you can enjoy the fall colors on the hiking trails and quiet walkways that begin on this road and the spectacular overlooks that give you a panoramic views of mountains and valleys.

Surprisingly the best fall color right now on Newfound Gap Road is not at the lowest elevations such as at the Sugarlands Visitor Center near Gatlinburg Tennessee or at the Oconaluftee visitor center by Cherokee North Carolina.

The best fall colors on Newfound Gap Road can now be found on the Tennessee side of the Great Smoky Mountains national park starting at around mile marker number 3 just under 2 miles south of the Sugarlands visitor center.

The picture above was taken yesterday at the Campbell Overlook pull off which looks out toward Mount Le Conte and Bullhead. As you can see the color runs up and down the mountainsides. Deep and light yellows mix in with some red and light tans contrasting against some remaining green.

The picture below shows Newfound Gap Road yesterday just above the Campbell overlook and you can see how the road is draped in a tunnel of trees with wild fall colors.

Passengers should look up when riding along this road to see how the sunlight makes the leaves glow.

There are a few spots beside the overlook to pull off to take in the fall colors where they are their best right now along the road.

There are 2 quiet walkways along the road where leaves are in peak that allow you to stroll leisurely and either go down to the river or deeper into the woods. There are even abandoned home sites to explore.

Further on up the road toward Newfound Gap and the N Carolina border you will come to the Chimneys picnic area. This is now a great place to have a snack or have lunch and enjoy what is left of the beautiful fall colors.

There is also a nature trail in the Chimneys picnic area well worth exploring to enjoy the colors in the leaves and the beauty of the park.

Past the Chimneys picnic area you will find 3 pull offs where you can look out the mountain called the chimney tops. Here you can look all the way down into the valley and see the distinctive mountain peaks. The fall color here is starting to fade but is still wonderful.

After these pull off the color is still good and you will find 2 more quiet walkways along Newfound Gap Road. By the time you reach the Chimney Tops Trailhead parking area you are past peak fall color on Newfound Gap Road.