Fall Colors trip in the Blue Ridge Mountains?

[bmikiten]

I'm in Texas and want to shoot fall colors this year with my 4x5 and a Hasselblad digital system. I've done NH and Colorado and wanted to find something less traveled. Does anyone in the area have advice on a 2-3 day driving trip possibly on the Blueridge Parkway? I was hoping a local would be here with photo insights.

TIA

[Tin Can]

Not local

But I once rode my motorbike from Philly down Skyline Drive then the entire Blue Ridge Parkway then onto far Southern IL

Fantastic trip in Fall Colors

I camped

1975

[popdoc]

Meadows of Dan in VA
By Charlottesville, the “Old Rag” mountain hike is a winner too.
In WV, hit the New River or the Dolly Sods National Wilderness.
While there, stop by Thomas WV and hang out at the Purple Fiddle- don’t miss it!!!


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[xkaes]

Above all, check the "tree forecasts" for when they will peak.

And bring a "sense of humor". Last time I was "off highway" down there, I stopped for gas and had Connecticut license plates. I was "asked" by the attendant -- "So you're from Connecticut. That's the place where they give all the food stamps to the God damn n......"

[CreationBear]

Ha, out of Christian charity I might advise you to make a U-turn and fetch up in the Guadalupes for the duration—we locals shelter in place starting now through Thanksgiving.

Seriously though, expect traffic and full campgrounds—otherwise it’s a beautiful part of the world, and if the forecast of a cold snap in the next couple of weeks happens, we might have exceptional displays (usually beginning the second week of October, with mid elevations below 3000 feet peaking ten days or so later.)

At any rate, I know the GSMNP and surrounding area in WNC and Tennessee pretty well—feel free to PM if your route takes you nearby.

[bmikiten]

I was hoping to just drive up the main highway but your comment about traffic and too many people is a concern. I've been to many state parks and love going in off-seasons to avoid just that issue. Are there other areas that are just as interesting but without the .... *people* ....

[xkaes]

Are there other areas that are just as interesting but without the .... *people* ....

Yes. It's called the Rocky Mountains:

[CreationBear]

“Nobody goes there anymore—it’s too crowded,” as Yogi once said.

At any rate, don’t let me scare you off—especially if you’re willing/able to go in by headlamp.

[bmikiten]

We have some properties in CO and go regularly. Beautiful scenery. I was just thinking I'd do something a bit different this year. However....

[Keith Fleming]

Check out the website of the Old Farmer's Almanac which has a map of all stages of the foliage season. The colors move down the country from north to south, county by county, with a date counter useful for planning. It was fun watching the color changes moving south.