The Colors of the Season
The air is crisp, the days sunny and mild. Consider a family drive
to enjoy fall foliage in all its glory. Just for starters:
Georgia State Parks: At an altitude of 3,640 feet, Black Rock Mountain State Park in Rabun County is Georgia’s highest state park. Roadside overlooks provide 80-mile vistas of the Blue Ridge Mountains and hiking trails lead leaf peepers into forests bursting with color. The 2.2-mile Tennessee Rock Trail is popular with families. At Amicalola Falls State Park in Dawsonville, you can hike to the top of the Southeast’s tallest waterfall, or choose the easy shortcut on a stroller-friendly boardwalk. At Tallulah Gorge State Park in Tallulah Falls, the scenery is spectacular and a little-known paved trail is a great option for families. The incredibly scenic Cloudland Canyon State Park, on the edge of Lookout Mountain, gives leaf enthusiasts a bird’s-eye view of the 1,980-foot-deep canyon from an easy trail along the canyon’s rim. There’s a $5 parking fee at Georgia’s state parks. There are plenty more state parks. Check the “leaf watch” web page: gastateparks.org/leafwatch; 800-864-7275
Make a day trip out of it by packing your lunch and setting your sights on North Georgia towns such as Ellijay, Blue Ridge, Helen and Dahlonega. With a summit elevation of 4,785 feet above sea level, Brasstown Bald is the highest natural point in Georgia; the Brasstown Bald Visitors Center is in Blairsville (706-896-2555).
– Julie Bookman
Want an activity for the kids?
Georgia State Parks Department suggests leaf rubbing: Find a few fallen leaves that you think are pretty. Lay them on a table and cover with a sheet of paper. Use a crayon or soft pencil to rub back and forth across the paper. You’ll see a copy of the leaf on your artwork. Look online at tree identification websites. Do you know what kind of leaf you have?
