Posted by Laurie Wendt on July 20, 2010 at 2:13 PM
I'm planning my first visit to GSMNP this fall from October 23-31. I plan on spending most of the week days based in Townsend and seeing the usual suspects in that area.
At the beginning of my trip I want to spend a few days on the southern end of the BRP. Maybe 1 day in/near Maggie Valley and 2 days at the Pisgah Inn. I know most of that area is high elevation and most likely the leaves will be done. I was wondering if there might be some areas that are lower elevation around there that might have some fall color then?
Also, is a 4WD vehicle recommended for that time frame or would a FWD car be ok? I'm from MN so I'm used to driving in snow.
Thanks for your help!
Posted by Steve Hamley on July 20, 2010 at 8:36 PM
Laurie,
There will be no snow unless things are really REALLY unusual. That's not to say that you couldn't get a front come through and coat the high peaks with an inch or so for a half day, but snow is not something you need to plan on, especially since the leaves will be gone at the altitudes that snow would even be remotely likely.
And the Park Service closes all the roads when it snows, so none of us have to worry about driving on it.
Your plan is generally good, but the Pisgah Inn is high and the color at that altitude will most probably be gone or considerably past peak, but I take it you're using it as a "base" which is not a bad idea. You'll likely get views of color on lower ridges and valleys though, and shots can be had.
You might try the Big East Fork area about the 21st, go down 276 at Log Wagon Gap just south of the Inn and watch for the signs. The river trail does not start at the marked parking area, just park and walk back up the road about 50 yards over the bridge over the East fork and the trail head is marked by a large sign on the right.
On the east side from the Inn, you might try Looking Glass Falls (down 276) and Sliding Rock.
There are some opportunities along hwy 215 going towards Waynesville as the road follows a river at the higher elevations. As you lose altitude, stop at every pull off and follow the fishermen's trails a few yards down to the river for potentially good shots. Most of these will not be visible from the road, you'll have to stop and find your way to the stream. There's also a nice waterfall near the top if the color isn't gone - it is visible on your right going down and it's called Bubbling Springs. if there's any color there, it may be worth a trip down the trail from the pull off. It's steep, but people camp at the bottom of the falls.
A little further up the Parkway, the Linville Falls area might also be good early in your trip.
Cataloochee Cove out of Maggie might also be good later in your week.
Later in your trip, the river valleys and Cades Cove should be good, but plan your activities to avoid Cades Cove on the weekend and do very early and late light to avoid a 4-7 hour trip on an 11 mile loop.
You should also know that along the lower rivers themselves, most of the colors are copper and gold. The brilliant yellows, reds, and oranges are from hardwoods that tend to grow on the higher, drier ridges.
I don't think the 23rd is too late for good color in Pisgah Forest. In fact, I'll be leading a workshop nearby that very weekend but will not be visiting Pisgah due to some permitting difficulties. At any rate, I have spent many an enjoyable day simply following 276 from the Parkway (higher elevation) all the way down to the entrance near Brevard (much lower) and always found color. The beauty here is that no matter where the color is, high or low, you'll find some as you follow this road. It's a rewarding meander as you use any, or all, of the many pull-offs provided to shoot along the stream. Tons of possibilities. There are also many Forest Roads branching off from 276 which can be rewarding. Along the way is the trailhead to Moore Cove Falls. These are not huge falls and actually quite modest, but you can get behind them which is cool, and the hike to them has many photo ops. Try to get up early one day at least and shoot sunrise from the Parkway. Perfect spot is the second overlook going north from the 276 entrance (which is a little ways south of the Pisgah Inn). Further south still on the Parkway is Graveyard Falls and if you continue all the way to the 215 exit and take 215 south, you will meander down the mountain again and be rewarded with Courthouse Falls near the bottom. Nature always marches to its own drummer as we know but I think odds are the Parkway around the 23rd should still be OK. If you're gonna be around Maggie, you may also want to check out Cherokee and Mingo Falls, Oconaluftee Villiage and an old mill whose name escapes me at the moment. Cataloochee is great for elk. Usually lots of good scenes along the Little River in the Cades Cove area. I'm starting to ramble a bit so will stop here. Have a great time!
I would recommend getting the book by Kevin Adams - North Carolina Waterfalls. There are a ton of great falls near Pisgah & Brevard, some as obvious as Looking Glass Falls & others more secluded (and less crowded). He's got great directions to each one with photography tips and beauty ratings.
4WD is generally not needed in this area as there is a world of photo possibilities as described from above either just off the road, or a short hike in to them. Accommodations will be an issue, so I hope you already have reservations!
Discussion
4 repliesAt the beginning of my trip I want to spend a few days on the southern end of the BRP. Maybe 1 day in/near Maggie Valley and 2 days at the Pisgah Inn. I know most of that area is high elevation and most likely the leaves will be done. I was wondering if there might be some areas that are lower elevation around there that might have some fall color then?
Also, is a 4WD vehicle recommended for that time frame or would a FWD car be ok? I'm from MN so I'm used to driving in snow.
Thanks for your help!
There will be no snow unless things are really REALLY unusual. That's not to say that you couldn't get a front come through and coat the high peaks with an inch or so for a half day, but snow is not something you need to plan on, especially since the leaves will be gone at the altitudes that snow would even be remotely likely.
And the Park Service closes all the roads when it snows, so none of us have to worry about driving on it.
Your plan is generally good, but the Pisgah Inn is high and the color at that altitude will most probably be gone or considerably past peak, but I take it you're using it as a "base" which is not a bad idea. You'll likely get views of color on lower ridges and valleys though, and shots can be had.
You might try the Big East Fork area about the 21st, go down 276 at Log Wagon Gap just south of the Inn and watch for the signs. The river trail does not start at the marked parking area, just park and walk back up the road about 50 yards over the bridge over the East fork and the trail head is marked by a large sign on the right.
On the east side from the Inn, you might try Looking Glass Falls (down 276) and Sliding Rock.
There are some opportunities along hwy 215 going towards Waynesville as the road follows a river at the higher elevations. As you lose altitude, stop at every pull off and follow the fishermen's trails a few yards down to the river for potentially good shots. Most of these will not be visible from the road, you'll have to stop and find your way to the stream. There's also a nice waterfall near the top if the color isn't gone - it is visible on your right going down and it's called Bubbling Springs. if there's any color there, it may be worth a trip down the trail from the pull off. It's steep, but people camp at the bottom of the falls.
A little further up the Parkway, the Linville Falls area might also be good early in your trip.
Cataloochee Cove out of Maggie might also be good later in your week.
Later in your trip, the river valleys and Cades Cove should be good, but plan your activities to avoid Cades Cove on the weekend and do very early and late light to avoid a 4-7 hour trip on an 11 mile loop.
You should also know that along the lower rivers themselves, most of the colors are copper and gold. The brilliant yellows, reds, and oranges are from hardwoods that tend to grow on the higher, drier ridges.
Cheers, Steve
4WD is generally not needed in this area as there is a world of photo possibilities as described from above either just off the road, or a short hike in to them. Accommodations will be an issue, so I hope you already have reservations!