October is typically one of the busiest months for traffic along the Blue Ridge Parkway and – despite the pandemic and everything else going on – 2020 has been no different.
Vehicles packed with people searching for a fall getaway or with folks looking for colorful leaves have been buzzing along the scenic road this month. There are more than 200 places for drivers to pull off and take pictures.
The fall colors draw tourists from all over to western North Carolina this time of year. According to ExploreAsheville.com's recent Fall Color Report, "pops of red and orange" can be seen along the parkway and leaves are "gently" beginning to fall on hiking trails. The best colors can be seen at an elevation of 2,000 to 3,000 feet.
"Another week of above average temperatures will likely help trees that have already turned color to retain their leaves perhaps a bit longer," the Oct. 22 forecast says. "In some cases in the lower elevations, it may slightly delay color development."
The week of Oct. 25 to Oct. 31 is the fifth week of leaf tracking, the Blue Ridge Parkway says. According to its Facebook page, some of the best sights are at milepost markers 43, 85, 115, 218, 320 and 348.
Recently, veteran photographer Chuck Liddy ventured out near the parkway to capture some photos of the fall season for WUNC.
PHOTO GALLERY:
Credit Chuck Liddy / for WUNC
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for WUNC
Fall color explodes along Hwy 221 in Avery County near the Blues Ridge Parkway Wednesday, Oct 14, 2020.
Credit Chuck Liddy / for WUNC
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for WUNC
Hal Kosik and Ashley Pettengill toss pumpkins in the air at the New River Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch Saturday, October 17, 2020. They were searching for the perfect pumpkin.
Credit Chuck Liddy / for WUNC
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for WUNC
Two boys head home after fishing at Bass Lake in Blowing Rock, N.C. Wednesday, Oct 14, 2020.
Credit Chuck Liddy / for WUNC
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for WUNC
A tufted titmouse looks for lunch among the brightly colored foliage in Blowing Rock, N.C. Saturday October 24, 2020.
Credit Chuck Liddy / for WUNC
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for WUNC
The hills and valleys around Valle Crucis, N.C. are bright with color Friday, October 16, 2020 along Hwy 194.
Credit Chuck Liddy / for WUNC
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for WUNC
A foggy day, not great for leaf watching, brings out other delights as a spider's web glistens with water droplets in Blowing Rock, N.C Friday, October 16, 2020.
Credit Chuck Liddy / for WUNC
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for WUNC
Cars snake around the Linn Cove Viaduct on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Grandfather Mountain, N.C. Friday, October 16, 2020.
Credit Chuck Liddy / for WUNC
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for WUNC
Brightly colored trees shone bright in the sun at the old Cranberry High School property near Elk Park, N.C. Monday, October 19, 2020.
Credit Chuck Liddy / for WUNC
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for WUNC
A brightly colored leaf floats in the Elk River Friday, October 23, 2020.
Credit Chuck Liddy / for WUNC
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for WUNC
Hay bales sit in a field near Elk Park, N.C. Friday, October 23, 2020.
Credit Chuck Liddy / for WUNC
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for WUNC
Bass Lake, near Blowing Rock, is filled with color that draws hundreds of leaf watchers during the season.
Credit Chuck Liddy / for WUNC
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for WUNC
Overlooks on the Blue Ridge Parkway are crowded with leaf watchers Sunday, October 18, 2020 as the colors start peaking at the higher elevations.
Credit Chuck Liddy / for WUNC
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for WUNC
Andy Plumber and Sutton (the dog), from Thomasville, N.C. enjoy the falls colors along the New River Saturday October 17, 2020. Plumber's daughter, Sydney, was enjoying the corn maze with her friends and left him to watch the dog.
Credit Chuck Liddy / for WUNC
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for WUNC
A quiet late afternoon walk along the Bass Lake walking trail brings out the majesty of fall as it's reflected in the still waters of the lake in Blowing Rock, N.C. Thursday, October 22, 2020.
Mitchell Northam is a Digital Producer for WUNC. His past work has been featured at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, SB Nation, the Orlando Sentinel and the Associated Press. He is a graduate of Salisbury University and is also a voter in the AP Top 25 poll for women's college basketball.
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