October 9, 2004

Moderate color (31% - 60% change) continues to spread across the Appalachian Mountain chain including western North Carolina, eastern Tennessee, western Virginia, much of West Virginia and western Maryland. The higher elevations in northern West Virginia and extreme western Maryland are showing high color (60% - 80%) change. Elsewhere in the region, low color (11% - 30% change) can be found.

Here are some of the places to visit now for great foliage displays.

Maryland - The exteme southwest corner of the western panhandle. U.S. Route 219.

West Virginia - Much of Tucker County including Thomas, West Virginia (along U.S. Route 219). U.S. Route 33 from Elkins to Harman, West Virginia. In Pocahontas County (southeast West Virginia), State Route 150.

North Carolina - The famed Blue Ridge Parkway is beginning to show decent color, especially in the
highest elevations. Check it out for a preview of what is to come in the next week or two.

Leaf drop in the region is mostly low, with moderate drop in areas showing moderate to high color.

This information provided by Marek D. Rzonca, The Foliage Network.