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Oct. 5, 2016, 4:02 p.m.

Blue Ridge Travelers' Fall Color Report - Week 5

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Here we are, week five of our fall color report! Today, I traveled along US Hwy. 221 North of Marion into the North Cove community and on to the Blue Ridge Parkway at the Linville Falls entrance.  Wow!  The cooler nights are making a difference in leaf colors.  Reds are more brilliant, oranges and yellows are popping!

Driving south on the Parkway, the overlooks at North Toe River Valley and Hefner Gap were beautiful.  I'm estimating about 10-15% of these protected woods, inside the Pisgah National Forest, are in color.  Professionals are projecting the cooler temperatures will bring about significant differences by the weekend.

Typically, the third weekend in October is peak weekend, for our higher elevations.  It appears this will be the case in 2016. I'll post additional photographs on our Facebook page, Blue Ridge Traveler.  Follow us there for updates, weather conditions and events!  Remember, call 888-233-6111 if you'd like a free visitor map and guide mailed to you.

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