Grandfather offers fall predictions
The plants that typically turn to their fall colors early have started their transformation at Grandfather Mountain. Prime leaf-looking opportunities are expected to be in early October.
Photos by Helen Moss Davis
The cooler turn of weather has placed fall on the minds of many
and the question of what the season will bring in terms of leaf change is a common one at
Grandfather Mountain.
Director of education and natural resources Jesse Pope has been
keeping a close watch on the trees and, more importantly, the weather.
“The weather in
September is very important to how vibrant fall colors will be,” Pope said. “Sunny days
and cool nights are important, as well as not getting too much wind and rain that could potentially
bring the leaves down prematurely.”
The plants that typically turn early, such as yellow
buckeyes, maples, sourwood, huckleberries and Fraser magnolias, have already changed color or are in
the process right now.
Pope believes that fall color opportunities will be nice at
Grandfather Mountain, although they may be just a little bit early this year. The transition to fall
colors is just beginning on Grandfather, with the best colors expected around the first or second
weekend in October.
“It’s impossible to precisely predict when the peak color will be,” Pope
said. “But one of the great things about Grandfather is that even if you miss it on the
mountain, the high vantage point is a great way to view the color as it works its way to the valleys
below.”
The Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation’s education staff is offering the
“Colors of Grandfather” guided walks at 1 p.m. on Oct. 13, 14, 20 and 21. The walk is included in
park admission and gives visitors the opportunity to learn more about how and why leaves change
color in the fall.
The staff member leading the program can answer questions about the
season and identify specific trees along the walk.
The mountain is open every day in the
fall, weather permitting. Through Oct. 21, ticket sales last from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with
the park closing at 6:30 p.m.
The hours of operation from Oct. 22 through Oct. 31 are
9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with ticket sales ending at 4:30 p.m.
For current weather
conditions, phone the entrance gate at (828) 733-4337.
The Grandfather Mountain Stewardship
Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation established to preserve Grandfather Mountain, operate the
nature park sustainably in the public interest, provide an exceptional experience for guests and
inspire them to be good stewards of the Earth’s resources.
For more information, visit
http://www.grandfather.com or call (800) 468-7325.
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