United States Department of Agriculture Cherokee National Forest

2018 Weekly Fall Color Report October 8, 2018 The factors that influence fall leaf color are shorter day lengths, weather (primarily cooler tem- peratures) and changing levels of leaf pigments. The only constant factor from year to year is the shortening day length. As days become shorter and nights grow longer, biochemical pro- cesses in the leaf initiate changing leaf color. All the other factors vary annually, making the pre- diction of fall color peak difficult. https://www.fs.fed.us/fallcolors/2018/index.shtml The average peak period of fall color in the Cherokee National Forest ranges from mid-late Oc- tober through early November. The northern Ranger Districts (Watauga & Unaka) usually peak a little earlier than the southern Ranger Districts (Tellico & Ocoee.)

CURRENT CONDITIONS:

North Cherokee National Forest South Cherokee National Forest Unaka & Watauga Ranger Districts: Ocoee & Tellico Ranger Districts: Fall leaf Fall leaf color throughout the area is color throughout the area is minimal at minimal at this time. Leaves should this time. Leaves should begin to show begin to show more color each week as more color each week as the days become the days become shorter and the tem- shorter and the temperatures drop at peratures drop at night. night.

When visiting the national forest always be prepared for the unexpected. Check weather reports prior to visiting and during your visit. During inclement weather national forest visitors should always take necessary precautions and be aware of the potential for flash flooding, rising water and falling trees. Low laying areas are especially vulnerable to rapidly rising and swift water. These areas should be avoided during and after major storm events. For outdoor safety information visit online:: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/r8/home/?cid=fsbdev3_066387

Forest Service Report 2: October 8, 2018

National Weather Service information: http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=36.21&lon=-83.3#.VFPnxkZ0x9M

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.

United States Department of Agriculture Cherokee National Forest 2018 Weekly Fall Color Report

NORTH

SOUTH http://fs.usda.gov/cherokee

The Cherokee National Forest covers 650,000 acres in ten east Tennessee counties. It borders the Great Smoky Mountains National Park from the north (Unaka & Wa- tauga Ranger Districts) and from the south (Tellico & Ocoee Ranger Districts.) It offers a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities including camping, hiking, pic- nicking, hunting, boating, fishing, driving for pleasure, mountain biking and more!

Forest Service Report 2: October 8, 2018

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.

United States Department of Agriculture Fall Scenic Routes

Northeast Tennessee

Paint Creek Corridor – Unaka RD, Greene County, TN: Meander along 5-mile Paint Creek Corridor on Forest Road 41 in Greene County to historic Paint Rock. Picnicking, fishing, hiking and other opportunities are available along the Corridor. This road is narrow and winding. Unaka Mountain Scenic Drive – Unaka RD, Unicoi County, TN: From Erwin, this drive makes a circle connecting TN 395, graveled Forest Road 230 and TN 107, past Limestone Cove. The route winds from the valley floor to high-elevation spruce forests and balds atop Unaka Mountain. High-clearance 4WD vehicles are recommended on Forest Road 230. TN State Route 143 to Carver’s Gap – Watauga RD, Carter County, TN: This state scenic parkway climbs through Roan Mountain State Park to Carvers Gap, with numerous long-distance mountain vistas, picnic spots, rhododendrons and spruce-fir forests. US 321/TN 67 Scenic Drive – Watauga RD, Carter & Johnson counties: These scenic drives follow the shoreline of Wa- tauga Lake, accessing several national forest recreation areas and providing scenic views of the lake and forest lands on Iron Mountain. The highways split east of the lake, where both individual routes pass through farmlands, rural commu- nities and scenic mountain views toward Boone, NC and Mountain City, TN.

Southeast Tennessee

Ocoee Scenic Byway – Ocoee RD, Polk County TN: The first designated national forest scenic byway in the nation includes 26 miles of US 64 and Forest Road 77. This two-lane route winds past Parksville Lake, through the scenic rocky bluffs of Ocoee River Gorge and past the Ocoee Whitewater Center. Take a side trip up the 7-mile Chilhowee Scenic Spur, Forest Road 77, to Chilhowee Recreation Area. The winding drive up the mountain offers several pull-outs with great views. Hiwassee River Road – Ocoee RD, Polk County, TN: From US 411, State Route 30 follows the Hiwassee State Scenic River to the historic community of Reliance. Cross the bridge and turn east to Forest Road 108. Climb the mountain to Big Bend and Appalachia Powerhouse. Enjoy the views from Hood Mountain overlook. This road is narrow and winding. Tellico River Road – Tellico RD, Monroe County, TN: Take State Route 165 from Tellico Plains to Forest Road 210. The route follows Tellico River past Bald River Falls, where you can pull off to view the magnificent falls. A few miles farther, stop to view pools of teeming trout at historic Pheasant Fields Fish Rearing Pools. This road is narrow and winding. Cherohala Skyway – Tellico RD, Monroe County, TN: View some of the best mountain scenery in the world from this 43- mile Scenic Byway, State Route 165, through the Cherokee and Nantahala national forests. Drive along the Tellico River, higher up you can stop at overlooks to take in expansive views of the Tennessee Valley and of mountain peaks. Stop for a picnic along the way.

Forest Service Report 2: October 8, 2018

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.

United States Department of Agriculture Cherokee National Forest

When visiting the national forest always be prepared for the unexpected—be safe and enjoy the outdoors!

For outdoor safety tips visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/r8/home/?cid=fsbdev3_066386&width=full

National Weather Service information: http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=36.21&lon=-83.3#.VFPnxkZ0x9M

Science of fall colors: https://www.fs.fed.us/fallcolors/2018/index.shtml

Cherokee National Forest Offices:

Forest Supervisor’s Office: 423-476-9700 Ocoee Ranger District: 423-338-3300 Ocoee Whitewater Center: 423-496-0100 Tellico Ranger District: 423-253-8400 Unaka Ranger District: 423-638-4109 Watauga Ranger District: 423-735-1500

Forest Service Report 2: October 8, 2018

Cherokee National Forest: http://fs.usda.gov/cherokee

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.

United States Department of Agriculture Fall in the Cherokee National Forest

Fall colors in recent years.

Forest Service

Cherokee National Forest: http://fs.usda.gov/cherokee

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.