Great Smoky Mountains Fall Foliage Prediction 2017
The Great Smoky Mountains and Blue Ridge Fall colors are predicted to be incredibly brilliant for 2017! Biologists are forecasting one of the best color season in decades. The Southern Appalachian mountains, which include the Smokies, have one of the most colorful and longest running fall leaf seasons in the world. 2017 is certainly going to be the year for brilliant Fall colors in the Smoky Mountains region.
The Great Smoky Mountains have received above normal amounts of rain this spring and early summer. Combine the perfect mix of moisture, sunny days, and cooler temperatures you have all the ingredients for healthy tree and leaf growth. Healthy leaves during the Summer equates to beautiful full color leaves in the Fall. As late August approached the rains subsided some letting the soil conditions dry somewhat which lay the groundwork for adding brightness to leaf colors. Fall 2017 in the Great Smoky Mountains is absolutely the year you don’t want to miss!
When is the Peak Fall Colors
The peak season for Fall colors will be earlier than normal this year. Cooler overall temperatures the past several weeks have some areas starting to turn and we are seeing signs of colors starting to change all across most locations. Peak conditions will be almost a week earlier putting the second week of October as the target for viewing leaves at their best and seeing the most widespread color. Keep in mind that different sides of the mountains and elevations play a large part in how quickly colors change or long they hold out to reach peak color.
The highest elevations will see leaves start changing first and reaching peak colors the first week of October. The highest points along the Smokies and Blue Ridge such as Clingmans Dome, Mt Leconte, and Water Rock Knob are predicted to reach peak colors the first week of October. Lower elevations will take longer to reach peak colors, so as you drop in elevation the colors will take longer to change and reach their peak. Fall colors this year should last longer than in previous years due to a healthy forest. So if you happened to be one of many who booked your vacation for the third week of October you’re still going to find plenty of vibrant colors.
Amazing Fall Fly Fishing
Another plus of the cooler weather, is the fishing will be dramatically better this year as well. Fish love cooler temperatures, and the Fall is one of the most pleasurable times to Fly Fish in the Great Smoky Mountains. You really can’t go wrong this year in terms of best location. Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge will have the Tennessee side of the Smokies full of wild trout. Some of the most breath taking scenery and trout are on the Tennessee side of the Smoky Mountains. The Bryson City and Cherokee region has even more to choose from. The North Carolina side of Great Smoky Mountains offers miles of wild trout streams inside the park, along with the phenomenal Tuckasegee River and the Cherokee Trophy Section. Of course there is the holy grail of trout streams in Bryson City too, the legendary Hazel Creek! Guests staying near Maggie Valley and Waynesville will have their region of the Smokies plus the West Fork of the Pigeon River. You simply cannot go wrong for fishing this time of year!
Get your vacations planned, and your cabins and fishing trips booked early this year. Space is filling up fast!
We’ll see you on the water!
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