mcdowellnc.org

November 11, 2008

The new photos above were taken today on Point Lookout Trail.  Bicycles and hikers will enjoy the 3.65 mile paved, non-motorized trail with its spectacular views, twists and turns that ascends the Swannanoa Gap gaining over 900 feet.

The leaves are falling, however, as you can see, stunning views remain!  Parking details and a trail map can be downloaded from the event calendar.  Look to the right toolbar and click on “Point Lookout Trail” for details and access.

October 29th, 2008

It’s not too late to enjoy the beautiful, fall colors!  The mountains surrounding Marion and Old Fort are stunning today.  If you’re driving along the Blue Ridge Parkway, the section between Linville Falls and Mt. Mitchell reveal full color as you face south at each overlook.

The lower elevations continue to change colors, unless we have a significant rain/wind storm, these should remain through the first week in November.  If you are traveling after November 9th, call our office for a color update at 888-233-6111.

Below is a blog from property owners at the Inn on Mill Creek in Old Fort.
ALL COLOR REPORT FROM THE INN ON MILL CREEK (October 9, 2008)

“Last week, we wandered around outside, pondering when the leaves would really start changing. The last part of September showed a lot of promise at our elevation (2,300 feet), with a few branches on a few trees beginning to lighten up. We took note that the first tree on our road to change last year, a maple, bumped up his winning streak to two by putting forth three branches of brick-red leaves. But, alas, there wasn’t much fall foliage action last week.

And then the past three days saw the goldenrod give way to splashes of honey and red throughout the forest. Although a majority of trees in Pisgah National Forest at our elevation are still a lush green, walk through the woods this weekend and the first part of next week and you’ll discover more than a few maples, sourwoods, sumacs and dogwoods with beautiful fall color peeking out.”

October 2, 2008 -

The elevation in McDowell County varies between 900 feet above sea level to 5,665 feet above sea level. The diverse topography creates multitudes of opportunities to enjoy our 4-6 week fall leaf season! Take advantage of this unusual landscape by visiting frequently between the end of September and the first two weeks in November. At the higher elevations, traditionally the peak week for leaves is the third weekend in October. However, the past couple of years, magnificent colors have extended their season into the first week to two weeks in November.
Remember, the peak for areas between 3,000 and 4,000 feet elevation is usually around the middle of October; earlier at higher elevations, and later at lower ones. The higher regions include the Blue Ridge Parkway communities of Little Switzerland, Altapass, Linville Falls and North Cove.

The Old Fort community is framed by the Black Mountains including Hickory Nut Mountain, Wildcat Mountain and Mackey Mountain. Curtis Creek Recreation Area is a great place to enjoy a hike, walk to Hickory Branch Trail Falls or hike the Lead Mine Gap Trail to enjoy stunning, long range views. Mackey Mountain and Newberry Creek trails are moderate trails also within the recreation area. If you’re looking for a challenge, take the Catawba Falls waterfall trail located outside the town limits. While you’re visiting, look for the grand opening of the Point Lookout Trail scheduled for an October 30th opening date. Hikers and cyclists will be challenged along this trail that winds through the Swanannoa Gap between Old Fort and Ridgecrest.

Buck Creek Road, also known as Lake Tahoma Road or N.C. Highway 80 gradually ascends the Black Mountain Range passing Singecat Mountain, Lake Tahoma and intersects the Blue Ridge Parkway. Trails along this route include Woods Mountain and Little Buck Creek.

According to Appalachian State University’s plant physiologist Howard Neufeld, the red maple (Acer rubrum) and sugar maple (A. saccharum) are the firs to put on a show. Poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) frequently wraps itself around tree trunks and will display a bright red color and as the leaves fall off their host trees, the ivy shows through prominently (look, but don’t touch). Burning bush (Euonymus alata), reaches its peak and it turns a deep red in the fall. It’s a common landscaping shrub in this area. Black cherry (Prunus serotina) will show some reddish to orange color and dogwoods (Cornus florida) turn a deep burgundy color now, highlighted by their very showy red fruits. Trees with yellow fall leaves, such as the birches (yellow birch, Betula alleghaniensis and black birch, B. lenta) develop color earlier as do yellow buckeyes (Aesculus octandra), black walnuts (Juglans nigra) and various hickory species (Carya sp.).Some of you may wonder why our hardwood trees exhibit such beautiful fall color at all, and why sunny cool days are a requirement. You may also ask why they don’t turn brown and fall off? Dr. Neufeld offers insight on this process.
There are two main types of fall color species; those with yellow to orange leaves and those with red leaves. For the former type, the yellow to orange colors are revealed in the fall when chlorophyll, the pigment that plants use to capture light energy for photosynthesis, degrades.Red leaves come about by an entirely different process. In the fall, as the chlorophyll begins to degrade, species with red leaves begin to produce entirely new pigments known as anthocyanins. These are the same pigments responsible for our red and blue flowers.Fall is an excellent time of year to combine leaf watching with historical attractions. The above photograph of Andrews’ Geyser is a great example. The public park is lined with a variety of tree species inside the Pisgah National Forest. The North Carolina Civil War Trail marker shown here describes one of the last skirmishes of the war. Point Lookout Trail, located close by, opens to the public as a hiking and bicycle trail October 30th.When planning a visit for local color, review this page and/or contact our office at 888-233-6111. The dry summer conditions will affect this year’s “leaf season” and changes take place at different times at different elevations. Information is also available on the N.C. State tourism site, www.visitnc.com and click on the fall foliage report.When planning a leaf hike, please keep these conditions in mind:
Please do not feed wild animals, particularly bears. When you see young animals, particularly bear cubs, without a mother it may be tempting to offer them food. They have not been abandoned, the mother is close by. Doing so creates dangerous circumstances for the animals as well as for the humans. Following hiking guidelines and regulations creates a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone. The hiking guide is in our directory along with maps to identify the various regions of the county.

HUNTING SEASON - GUNS are allowed beginning November 19th through December 14th. When planning a hike, be sure to wear bright colors, preferably orange. Pick up a copy of the North Carolina Wildlife Commission’s guidebook listing all hunting and fishing areas in the state. This is helpful information when planning a hike. Copies are available at our visitor center in the Old Fort Train Depot or at the McDowell Visitor Center located on the Highway 221/226 By-pass. Call our office at 888-233-6111 or your destination site for more details.