This is the final fall color report for Shenandoah National Park as of Friday, November 7, 2008...

We are well into Autumn here in the mountains of Virginia. In addition to cooler temperatures and shorter days, fall also tends to bring clearer skies to the region. Shenandoah National Park was created in part due to its beautiful vistas and the cool crisp air you’ll breathe in during a trip to the park at this time of year seems to heighten that experience.

Many of the trees in Shenandoah have lost their leaves now, but remember, fewer leaves on the trees mean deeper views into the forests and a better chance of spotting some of the animal residents of the park, such as the black bears and white-tailed deer. And if you look deep into the woods and you may be surprised to see bright yellow flowers blooming. Those are Witch Hazel blossoms, and they grow on the bare branches of this small tree after the leaves have fallen.

There are a few pockets of gold and yellow trees left in the lower elevations of the park. The many oaks of Shenandoah tend to hold onto their rusty-brown colored leaves longer than other trees. As a result, deep, cinnamon-colored brown is the predominant color right now. These oak leaves stand out in beautiful contrast to the waxy green needles and leaves of evergreen trees and shrubs that retain enough moisture inside to stay green all year long.

A visit to the park at this time of year also reveals the many ways that animals prepare for winter in the mountains. Many of the birds that will spend the winter here in SNP are flocking up, and the woods and meadows are alive with the songs of chickadees, titmice and nuthatches, as well as the hammering sounds of woodpeckers.

A trip to the upper elevations of the park such as the Skyland and Big Meadows areas will provide you with a chance to see large herds of does and fawns, as well as the occasional bucks sparring with their newly exposed antlers. These battles are fought each fall, and oftentimes occur beside, or even in the middle of, the Skyline Drive. Be sure to drive carefully when visiting the park, you never know what dramatic or interesting scene is right around the corner!

If you’re coming up to the park, remember that at this time of year Shenandoah can experience freezing temperatures. Although temperatures this week have been fairly nice, it’s important to remember that weather can change quickly in the mountains. And don’t forget that mountaintop temperatures tend to be a good 10-15 degrees cooler than the surrounding valleys, or even Washington D.C. This temperature difference is especially obvious after the sun goes down for the night. So, bring plenty of layers, including your hat and gloves, and come experience some solitude and the quiet beauty of Shenandoah National Park this fall.

This is the final fall color report for the 2008 season. Check back in late September of 2009!