I've been coming to the mountains since I was kid and up here every couple weeks and over the years have determined the basic cycle to the color at different elevations. For starters though here is a diagram of what happens in the heavens and the earth passes over the celestial equator and changes us from Summer Soltice to Fall:
The Spring and Fall Equinox:
The seasons will change this Sunday (Sept. 22), with the Northern Hemisphere moving into autumn and the South emerging from winter into spring.
The celestial event that marks this transition is called an "equinox," and it happens twice every year, around March 21 and Sept. 21. Just what is an equinox, and why does it occur?
The Earth moves in two different ways. First, the planet spins on its polar axis — a line through the north and south poles — once every 24 hours, causing the alternation of day and night. Secondly, it moves in its orbit around the sun once every 365.25 days, causing the annual cycle of seasons. The equinox occurs when these two motions intersect. [Season to Season: Earth's Equinoxes & Solstices (Infographic)]
Because the Earth is so big, its mass has an enormously powerful gyroscopic effect. For this reason, its poles always point in the same direction, although a major earthquake can cause tiny wobbles in this axis. Most importantly, the Earth's motion around the sun has absolutely no effect on the direction the poles are pointing, which has very important consequences for Earth's seasons.
Astronomers mark the positions of objects in the sky relative to the Earth's poles of rotation (those are the red lines you see in the picture). The most important line is the celestial equator, which divides the sky into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
The Earth's pole of rotation is tilted 23.4 degrees relative to the plane of its orbit. This tilt is always toward the same point in the sky, called the celestial pole, no matter where in its orbit around the sun the Earth happens to be.
This tilt makes it appear to observers on Earth's surface that the sun is moving across the sky at an angle to the celestial equator. This is marked by the green line in the image, called the "ecliptic" because eclipses happen along this line.
Fall Color Leaf Guide
One of the most beautiful times of the year in Western North Carolina is Autumn. The mountains seem to come alive with color. People travel from miles around just to catch a glimpse of the splendor.
Peak foliage viewing depends on many factors. The most important factor is elevation. Trees of the same species, can peak weeks apart depending on their location. Cooler slopes, that face the north, will peak much earlier than slopes facing the sun. Certain species of trees also peak earlier than others. In addition, an early frost and unusually wet or dry summers will affect the process differently.
Estimated Peak Viewing Times | |
| Higher Elevations | October 1 - 15 |
| Lower Elevations | October 15 - 31 |
Scenic Drives
Looking for that perfect autumn vista? Choose one of these scenic drives and wind
your way through the Western North Carolina mountains splashed with the hues of
autumn. You may also want to consider one of these craft excursions to understand
the beauty that captures the hearts and imaginations of the region's artists and crafts
people.
Craggy Gardens
Craggy Gardens is a wonderful place for viewing the late summer wildflowers and
bright scarlet colored berries of the mountain ash. Bring a picnic lunch, hike some of
the Parkway’s many trails and take in the panoramic views of the Blue Ridge
Mountains. To reach this area, take the Blue Ridge Parkway north from Asheville
for about 20 miles. (One way driving time: 45 minutes.)
Grandfather Mountain
From Asheville take I-40 to Hwy 70 at the Old Fort exit. Continue east on 70 to
221 north. Take 221 to Linville Falls area. Pass the Blue Ridge Parkway and at the
intersection of 181 and 105 look for a billboard directing you to Grandfather
Mountain. View the native animal habitats, enjoy hiking and picnicking and test your
courage on the mile high swinging bridge which also provides a great vantage point
for viewing autumn’s rich colors. (One way driving time: 1 hour 45 minutes.)
Mount Mitchell
Take the Blue Ridge Parkway north. Exit NC 128 from the Parkway to Mount
Mitchell State Park. This peak, the highest east of the Mississippi, provides
sweeping views of autumn color on the slopes below. In addition to expansive
views, the Park offers an observation tower, hiking trails, picnic areas, a natural
history museum, and a restaurant. (One way driving time: 45 minutes.)
Mount Pisgah/Graveyard Fields
Take the Blue Ridge Parkway south from Asheville toward Mount Pisgah, where
you will find picnic areas, hiking trails and a restaurant. Mount Pisgah was originally
part of the 100,000-acre Biltmore Estate bought in the late 1800s by George W.
Vanderbilt. Continue on the Parkway to Graveyard Fields (milepost 418) where you
can take moderate 2.29 mile hike. Yellowstone Falls can also be seen from an
overlook on the Parkway. Return to Asheville on the Parkway heading north. (One
way driving time: 45 minutes.)
Wilson Creek Wild and Scenic River Gorge Corrider in Grandfather Mountain Ranger District:
Our guests favor the Wilson Creek Wild and Scenic River Gorge as well for the off the beaten path and no traffic. The Brown Mountain Beach Road is hard packed gravel but is well maintained and is mostly public. There are 9 miles of River Gorge with public parking and stairs to the river. Bring your camera, the trees the leaves, the boulders and river hydraulics are amazing. Bring a fishing rod to catch some of the coolest looking fish...... a beautiful Brown or Rainbow Trout.
Wilson Creek River Gorge
Brown Mountain Lodge and Creekside Cozy Cabin are right down the road from the The Wilson Creek River Gorge and only 13 miles to the Blue Ridge Parkway and Linn Cove Viaduct. From there you can turn left and go see the Linville Falls and turn back to the right and go across the Viaduct and make a stop at Grandfather Mountain......breathtaking. After that cap off the evening with mountain gear shopping in Blowing Rock and dinner at Canyon's Restuarant.
Here is Canyon's sunset view from the dining area and deck:
Canyons Restuarant View
View of Grandfather Mountain with telephoto at Canyons
For your next romantic weekend and evening camp fire and terrific accomodations in the mountains check us out at our web site:
BML
CCC
CCC Outdoor lounge with fire pit
BML Outdoor lounge with fire pit
BML newly added charcoal smoker grill
