When does the gorge look it's best during fall?

[Redpoint]

I am wondering if anyone knows when the gorge looks it's best for fall, or does it seem to vary greatly with the different weather patterns each year? I have heard on the Weather Channel that global warming might be changing when the leaves change color, but I'm sure it's not %100 proven, yet.

Well even an estimate would be nice, is mid October better than the last week of October?



I wanted to know because I'm trying to plan a week long climbing trip whenever fall looks it's best out there.

[charlie]

It looks the best in Fall, when the colors are changing.

[Redpoint]

Thanks that helps a lot. No really though, I didn't want my week long trip out there to be when it's half green and half fall looking, and so I'm asking when(an actual date) is it going to look it's absolute best.

[Saxman]

October 28th at 7:13am.

[toad857]

but I'm sure it's not %100 proven, yet.

nothing ever is in biology



basically it comes down to two factors: rainfall and cold nights. you want a lot of rainfall followed by a few frigid nights.

but consider this: wet leaves enhance the vibrance of the colors by a million times, in my opinion. if you're leaf-watching on a dry day, expect the colors to seem more dull...

also, it depends on what species of tree are most abundant where you're going. they all change at different times. buckeyes have lost their leaves already.... hemlocks stay green.... etc.

i think the most bitchin' display of leaf color is when all of the sugar maples turn bright yellow at the same time and simultaneously drop their leaves--you get a totally golden understory along with a totally golden forest floor with nothing else covering it up. unbelievable.... take note, climbing 'photographers'.

but to answer your question, try for early november on a wet week.

[krampus]

I would wait until the first snow, I think the red looks best when it snows

[Redpoint]

but I'm sure it's not %100 proven, yet.

nothing ever is in biology



basically it comes down to two factors: rainfall and cold nights. you want a lot of rainfall followed by a few frigid nights.

but consider this: wet leaves enhance the vibrance of the colors by a million times, in my opinion. if you're leaf-watching on a dry day, expect the colors to seem more dull...

also, it depends on what species of tree are most abundant where you're going. they all change at different times. buckeyes have lost their leaves already.... hemlocks stay green.... etc.

i think the most bitchin' display of leaf color is when all of the sugar maples turn bright yellow at the same time and simultaneously drop their leaves--you get a totally golden understory along with a totally golden forest floor with nothing else covering it up. unbelievable.... take note, climbing 'photographers'.

but to answer your question, try for early november on a wet week.

Ya I know what you mean about the yellow, this is one of my favorite pics of the gorge that I found on the net:


O and thanks for your help everyone.

[DriskellHR]

dude its funny that you think that the colors happen like clockwork. What were you doing in science class? pickin your nose?

[twan]

November. Not October. .

[Saxman]

I think John Redpoint Long forgot he only lives 2 hours away from the Red.