Halloween Event: Haunted Horn: Circus of Souls begins this week in Boone NC

October 23 - 31   Haunted Horn: "Circus of Souls"   The theme for this year's Haunted Horn, Life...and after-life...is a carnival. Fun-seekers beware though since the altered spooky trail route accommodates a little more "clowning around". Tight-rope walkers aren't the only ones feeling the tension. Circus animals aren't always the warm, fuzzy, cute, four-legged types.

Don't blink, or you could become the subject of the next freak show in this "Circus of Souls." Tours start at 7:30 PM and continue throughout the evening, for ages 12 and up. Haunted Horn is a production of Appalachian Educators of ASU, and Southern Appalachian Historical Association, Inc., 501(c)3. Proceeds support these organizations' educational programs and the Angel Tree for area needy children this Christmas.

Find links for complete local visitor information on the Boone NC Guide.

Fall Leaf Color Report for 10/15/13

The Week of October 15, 2013: 
 The High Country: This week, plus the coming weekend, should be peak fall leaf color times in the Boone/Blowing Rock and Grandfather Mountain areas. A drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway will present excellent viewing, especially at 3,000’ and up. Colors are still developing at lower elevations, and won’t peak for another week or so, but the views should be great nonetheless. Sugar maples are really gearing up now. In Boone, along King Street, and also on the Blowing Rock Highway. ......see photos and read more from local expert Howie Neufeld, Ph.D. Professor of Plant Physiology Appalachian State University 
 
Asheville and the Mid-elevations: Still mostly green with small patches of color starting to appear and more color in the surrounding hills. Dogwoods, sourwoods and Virginia creeper are all beautiful red. There is some color in some maples and yellow in other trees like birch and tulip poplar. Lower elevations at Lake Lure and Chimney Rock are beginning to turn with the drive from Hendersonville to Chimney Rock now gorgeous.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park:  Leaf color Report will be updated soon as park workers catch up from the government shut-down.  There is lots of color at mid elevation throughout the Park.

Western Mountains in Nantahala and the Smokies: More colors appearing in Highlands and Sylva with peak anticipated over the next 10 days.

Where to find color this week:  Along the Blue Ridge Parkway; Hayesville, Highway 64, Blowing Rock Highway, Chimney Rock Park.  

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is Open Again!

The National Parks and their facilities
in the NC mountains have re-opened.  

Estimated losses in NC and TN resulting from the pointless shut-down are 33 million dollars, based on a Western Carolina University study.  The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is believed to be the biggest looser among the country's popular destination with more than $12 million in lost wages for workers, $1.8 million in lost state taxes and $1 million in lost local taxes.  

There has never been a better time to visit the mountain Parks. Fall leaf color will reach it peaks in the next couple of weeks, the weather is still warm during the days and cool at night. The Parks need your support from both visits and donations.

The Great Smoky Muntains National Park offers a Hike to Celebrate the re-opening .  On Thursday, October 17th hiking expert, author of several outdoor publications, GSMA board member and Friend of the Smokies volunteer Danny Bernstein will lead this 7-mile out and back hike. The hike is moderate in difficulty with a total ascent of 1,200 ft. and partially follows an old roadbed beside the creek. After the downhill return, participants can get an early jump on their holiday shopping at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center.

If you'd like to give Great Smoky Mountains National Park a big welcome home present, The Friends of the Smokies  invite you to join or renew your membership.  If you'd like to help spruce up the place, you can give to Trails Forever.  You  may also like to remember or honor a friend or relative with a donation in their name. CLICK HERE for more information.


October 18 and 19   Toast to the Park's reopening with Nantahala Brewing Company's 2013 debut party for Trail Magic Ale.

Get additional information and links for all the North Carolina Parks - National, State and local HERE.

Wildlife of WNC Program at Chimney Rock State Park

October 19-20   Grady's Wildlife of WNC at Chimney Rock State Park    Come meet some of Grady the Groundhog's live woodland friends and learn about their natural habitats. Or marvel at our Birds of Prey, including a Red-tailed Hawk and Great Horned Owl. The family-friendly Grady’s Wildlife of WNC programs vary and are offered at 2 PM at the Outdoor Classroom on the Meadows. Best of all, the programs are included with your Park admission. All you need to bring are your kids and their curiosity about the natural world.

Get more local information on the Chimney Rock NC Visitor Guide.