The changing of the colors is a special time in the Southern Appalachians. One tree will have peak color for only a very few days, but with the wide range of elevations and different trees peaking at different times, the color can last for weeks. The change usually begins in the first week of October in the higher elevations near Graveyard Fields, Craggy Gardens, and the Blowing Rock area. Peak color can be found in the Foothills areas and into the mountain areas of upstate South Carolina and Georgia in late October and even into the first weeks of November. Planning a trip to see the color change can be tricky. Sometimes the leaves peak early, sometimes they peak late. Sometimes you are over here where there's little color, when the good color is over there. Sometimes the reports say beautiful color during the week, but a big rain and wind storm blows them all off before you can get up to see them on the week end. One thing is for sure - you're not going to experience the beauty sitting on your butt in front of the TV or computer. You have to take a chance and get up here!

I've been fortunate enough to be at the right place at the right time, but have experienced the 'shoulda been here yesterday' and the color peaking the week after I go back to work because I guessed the wrong week when signing up for vacation. I hope these images will inspire you to visit this beautiful area. The Blue Ridge Parkway attracts thousands of visitors every fall for obvious reasons. Many never leave the Parkway, so the savvy visitor will check the maps for the roads less traveled. For more information on any waterfalls in this gallery, please visit my web site - NORTH CAROLINA WATERFALLS.