South Carolina Fall Foliage Report (11/02/11)

By Scott Stegenga:

Nature doesn’t always follow the “normal” schedule that we assign it to but it would be right on the bull’s eye this fall. The peak of autumn color slipped into place by the last weekend in October and along with it has come lower temperatures. We dipped below the official freezing mark over the weekend for the first time this fall at Table Rock and the milder season is starting to wind down towards winter.

Before all the foliage fades away, we will still have some good viewing on the downhill side of the peak. The recent chilly overnight lows could trigger some additional bright leaves. Right now there is a beautiful mix displayed from maples, hickories, dogwoods, sourwoods, and other species including the oaks. Leaves will be shedding at a more rapid pace and the highest ridge tops will likely be revealing dark trees void of foliage by the coming weekend. Many of the tulip poplars are mostly bare branches now.

The first weekend in November may not retain the current overall brighter picture of color but it will still be worth the effort to get out and see the slopes. The smell of the forest in the cooler air along with the sight of multiple colors on the limbs and swirling to the ground is definitely an experience that can qualify for the list of favorite memories in the great outdoors.

For the best place to view fall foliage, click here.