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.
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