Fall foliage report from www.tnvacation.com

West Tennessee's Land Between the Lakes is fast approaching the climax of fall color.

Most trees are in various stages of color change, with the exception of the oak trees. The dogwoods along the Trace are still a beautiful purplish red, and the sweetgums provide a darker purple color to the mix. The blackgums and sumacs continue to shine as red as cardinals. A softer shade of red comes from sassafras and Virginia creeper. And, there's plenty of yellow and gold in the canopy now: the golden hickories are beautiful; the yellow pawpaws and tulip poplars add lighter tones to the forest.

This is a great time for a scenic drive or a walk in the woods. Land Between the Lakes is a great location for observing waterbirds. Other wildlife species, including woodpeckers, owls and hawks, can be spotted along the trail.

In East Tennessee, portions of mountainsides in the 3,500-4,000-ft. range are showing full color, as several tree species along the roadsides at lower elevations are beginning to signal autumn tones. Meanwhile, the higher ridges above 4,000 have already peaked, and trees at the uppermost reaches have lost their leaves.

Leaf color along the Tennessee hills is expected to intensify after colder temperatures hit the Smokies this week. Many areas are approaching a crescendo of color--Cades Cove, Foothills Parkway on the western end, Greenbrier and Cosby to the east--shaping up to be quite a colorful weekend.

Heading southeast, dogwoods continue to boast gorgeous shades, while Virginia creepers pop in fall hues. The cherry trees and sweetgums continue in their vibrant color change.

Keep track of our color progression by visiting nature.nps.gov/air/webcams/parks/grsmcam/grsmcam.cfm.

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In Great Smoky Mountains National Park, sourwood, dogwood, maple, sassafras and birch trees are the first to make the change, turning red, orange and yellow. There is just a hint of color change among those early fall starters. More notable are the fall wildflowers; cardinal flower, black-eyed Susan and southern ironweed, as well as the bright fruits on trees and shrubs, such as hearts-a-bustin'.

For a great fall hike in the Smokies, take Albright Grove or Sugarland Mountain Trail.

Spot some splashes of autumn color which have begun to appear in the woods around Land Between the Lakes, in Middle Tennessee. The bright red leaves of sassafras and sumac, highlighted by yellow tulip trees, are dotting the landscape.

Recent rains in Hardin County, in West Tennessee, have provided a promising color forecast. The leaves have just begun to turn around Pickwick Lake and along the Tennessee River.

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