Fall in the Mountains

Massanutten Mountain - way north of our AT territory 

I'm in the Shenandoah Valley this weekend which required a trip over Afton Mountain and gave me a look north at the mountains where our section of AT runs.  The fall leaf color has started to happen, but not in a big way. Specific trees such as maples are showing the most color, but mostly everything was still pretty green. Note: on the return trip, we went through Swift Run Gap (Rt. 33) and saw a lot more 'yellow' there.

Much cooler weather is moving in this weekend with temps in the Valley tonight around 35 and this means that at the higher elevations, where the AT winds along the mountain ridges, it will be much colder - probably getting below freezing. These colder temps will kill a lot of plants and you will be seeing brown ferns and a lot of other brown and/or 'collapsed' vegetation on the next work trip which is in two weeks.

Storm front coming over the Blue Ridge Mountains, bringing much cooler temps.

Here is a good website where you can get a Fall Foliage report, see a 'dial' that gives a number for fall leaf color in the mountain, piedmont and coast regions and helps you find a Fall Event or Activity:

Fall in Virginia

Here's the latest leaf report from this website:

From the Virginia Department of Forestry

For the week of October 29 - The rain and wind brought down some of the early turners but overall this weekend still might be good for viewing. In the New River Valley, virtually all of the trees have color. In the Shenandoah Valley, fall color is evident on more than 75% of the trees. Many areas of the Piedmont are at peak or have passed peak and their transition should be complete in early November. The Coastal Plain is expected to peak in mid-November. This will be our last report for the season.

I think the mountains are spectacular any season of the year just because I love mountains, but when the leaves turn .... well, that just makes a trip to the mountains even better. Put the work trip for Nov. 17th on your calendar!


(Photo credit - all photos by Merlot 10-6-2012)