Shortening daylengths, cooler days and nights, remind all that Fall is here. Spectacular leaf shows soon will unfold in North Georgia. Even now, some leaves are turning color – plan early and wisely for trips to enjoy the Fall scenery. Peak leaf time should fall between October 20-31 this year (2011) with modest leaf color displays a week before and a week after the peak. During October 1 to October 12 in North Georgia some significant yellow, orange and red leaf colors should be evident — dogwood and sourwood trees particularly should be in full red display.
Brasstown Bald Mountain, Georgia's highest mountain showed magnificent colors on October 15 and these should last to October 22-23. Highway 64 in North Carolina from Murphy to Franklin should be great from October 21 to October 31. The leaf colors at Wallace Gap and Winding Stair Gap were just coming into deep and varied colors the week of October 15.
Oaks, maples and hickory should begin showing by October 15, 2011 hints of orange, red, and yellow leaves in many North Georgia locations. The week of November 1-8 should still reveal good color on some maples and oaks as leaves continue to be shed. In early November usually about half of the deciduous North Georgia trees have fully shed their leaves. Oaks and maples still have reasonable color displays.
Polarized Sunglasses Enhance Fall Leaf Colors
Polarized sunglasses are important, believe it or not, because they enhance the color and intensity of the various leaf colors. If you have polarized sunglasses remember to use them on a leaf trip; if not, consider the purchase of a pair of polarized sunglasses from the store of your choice. People are amazed at the color hues and tints revealed when viewed through polarized lenses. Caution: Most common sunglasses are UV-protective but they are not polarized. All new, polarized sunglasses are labelled "polarized" by the manufacturer – if not labelled, you may assume the sunglasses are not polarized.
Fall Leaf Trips and Hikes in North Georgia, Dahlonega, Lake Lanier, Rome
A day, or weekend, trip is good. Be prepared for traffic and congestion in some areas of North Georgia. Plan final destinations and routes carefully for enjoyable, safe trips – here are some ideas:
Dahlonega is Cherokee for "golden color" or "yellow money" , and this famed Gold City was gold rush territory in 1828. Dahlonega, founded in 1833, has the Gold Museum, the Corral and Carriage Co., and connects with the nearby Appalachian trail. The town also has interesting gift stores and good eating. Four miles away is Amicalola State Park and beautiful Amicalola Falls.
Lake Lanier is vivid and scenic with nice restaurants and stopping places, and it is only 45 miles from downtown Atlanta. The Buford Dam site provides great vistas and nearby picnic areas
Rome, a city of about 36,000 – where the three "rivers meet and the mountains begin" – is the home of Berry College and Shorter College. Good dining and stores abound throughout Rome – a wonderful, historic area to visit about 65 miles from Atlanta.
Great North Georgia Fall Leaf Trips, Helen, Ana Ruby Falls, and Unicoi Park
Octoberfest is one of Helen's and North Georgia's biggest tourist attractions. Helen is at the base of a mountain and the Chattahoochee National Forest. The Chattahoochee River originates a few miles northward, and gently flows along the edges of town. This is a premier place to visit in Georgia for German food, atmosphere and crowds. Helen has many restaurants, shops, plenty of lodging, abundant musical entertainment and merryment throughout the town. Regular horse carriage rides are available for visitors, and carriages definitely slow the pace through town. If you like crowds, and do not mind traffic, this is a do not miss event that occurs all through October, and into November. Remember Helen is very busy and crowded on weekends.
Anna Ruby Falls Park is a few miles down the road, and is an excellent visitor's attraction. A short hike up trail provides a great view of the falls, and many photographic opportunities. Less than a mile away is the Unicoi Lodge and State Park with fine accommodations and excellent buffet dining. A short distance up the mountain on Ga. Route 75 Appalachian Trail hiking is available.
Hiawassee. This is a beautiful mountain and Lake Chatuge location with fine lodging, campgrounds, several restaurants, and the Anderson Music Hall for Country and Western music. The Georgia Mountain Fair Fall Festival in Hiawassee starts on October 7 and runs through October 15 from 10 AM to to 8 PM each day. Crafts and exhibits are featured each day. There is a pioneer village and authentic mountain demonstrations. There are featured artists and the events for each day are as follows at the Anderson Music Hall, Hiawassee, Georgia, October 7 to 15, 2011.
- 10/7: 2PM. Jim Wood and the Georgia Mountain Fair Band; 6:30 John Anderson followed by Jim Wood and the Georgia Mountain Fair Band.
- 10/8: 2PM. Jim Wood and the Georgia Mountain Fair Band with special guest Ricky Skaggs. 7 PM. Ricky Skaggs. 8 PM. Jim Wood and the Georgia Mountain Fair Band.
- 10/9: 11 AM. Interfaith Worship with the Diplomats. 2PM. Gospel Music featuring the Isaacs, Chuch agon Gang and The Diplomats.
- 10/10: 2 and 7 PM. Redhead Express and Gene Watson.
- 10/11: 2 and 7 PM. Daimond Rio and Steven Phillips & Midnight Express.
- 10/12: 2 and 7 PM. Swing South and Percy Sledge.
- 10/13: 2 and 7 PM. T. Graham Brown and Freddie Way.
- 10/14: 2 PM. Bluegrass Alliance and The Quebe Sisters Band. 5:30 PM. The Quebe Sisters Band. 7 PM: Competitions: senior fiddler, junior fiddler, bluegrass band, finger style guitar, banjo and mandolin.
- 10/15: 10:30 AM. Georgia's Official State Fiddlers' Convention. 7 PM. Official Georgia State Champion for each category.
Hiawassee is only a short distance away from the Young Harris , the hometown and continued residence of now-retired Governor and U.S. Senator, Zell Miller. Heading West on Ga.515/76 are Blairsville and Lake Nottely, and Blue Ridge town and lake. The Blue Ridge Scenic Railway leaves from Blue Ridge to McCaysville, Ga. and Copper Hill, Tenn. for a 26 mile, 4.5 hr roundtrip with beautiful vistas.
North Georgia Tours and Trips in Rabun County, Toccoa, Lake Rabun, Clayton, Mountain City
Scenic mountain vistas and waterfalls abound in this Blue Ridge Mountain area that was inhabitated by aboriginals over 10,000 years ago. The area was home to Cherokee Indians, and many of the names reflect Cherokee influences ( Nacoochee, Tallulah, Terrora, Cherchero, Stekoa). In the 1700's the region was settled by people moving from North Carolina, Virginia and Pennsylvania.
The Toccoa River and Terrora Park, maintained by the Georgia Power Co., is a beautiful area to visit and photograph. A short distance away is Tallulah Gorge where the great Carl Wallenda of the Flying Wallendas, used a tightwire to cross the gorge's width of over 1200 feet. At age 65 he did a headstand twice on the wire suspended about 150 feet above the gorge's bottom. He lived to die another day.
A few miles further are Clayton and Mountain City with gift, antique stores and roadside sales of Fall goods at assorted flea markets. The Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School, famous for the Foxfire series of books, as well as the family-style restaurant, the Dillard House are embedded in this county.
Peak Leaf Color and Times for North Georgia's Fall Season
The expected full, Fall-time, leaf colors should peak between October 20-31, 2011. This article will update information as it becomes available. Have a great trip and enjoy this annual spectacle!
Resources
Rand-McNalley Road Atlas 2004. Skokie, Illinois
Donald Reinhardt - Think, read, write & live well always. DJR has a PhD in Biology/Microbiology & is a Fellow & Diplomate, ASM Amer Acad Micro.
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