Our Highland County fans, who live outside our area, always love (and ask for) leaf updates throughout the Fall. Well… here you go!
While our leaves usually peak around mid-October (depending on the year, of course), Fall 2020 is showing some phenomenal color, and the vibrance isn’t surprising given the amount of consistent rain our mountains have received this year.
If you’re a photographer or leaf peeper and you’re planning a trip to Highland County to capture the autumn beauty, I wouldn’t wait too long. Leaves are already changing quickly, and many in the community believe it will be a fast season. Plus, my guess is, the Summer’s consistent rain trend may flow into Fall. If so, once leaves begin to change more, a 15-minute hard rain could likely take them all down. (10/13/2020 Update: We’ve had rain take down a small portion of leaves, but Fall color is definitely still healthy as you can see from the Week of October 12, 2020 pictures!)
My recommendation: It wouldn’t hurt to plan a couple trips to Highland this Fall because I think she may just be preparing to put on an ever-changing show! (10/13/2020 Update: Yes, she is definitely putting on a show!)
Now, for the Main Event. Thanks to teamwork from some of our awesome resident shutterbugs, here are pictures capturing Highland County’s Fall color during the 2020 season. Enjoy, and check back weekly throughout the season for more updates!
(Click on the images to enlarge them!)
Week of October 12, 2020
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- Monterey Mountain (Photo Credit: Kristen Atkins Dixon)
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- Chickens like Fall, too! (Photo Credit: Todd Brendel)
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- Hightown (Photo Credit: Cindy Galford Swecker)
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- Photo Credit: J.D. Hiner
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- Halterman “Holler” (Photo Credit: Ellen Harris Phillips)
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- Meadowdale (Photo Credit: Alan Oleson)
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- Sullystone Stables (Photo Credit: Julie Olsen Dunson)
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- Allegheny Mountain (Photo Credit: Michael Bedwell)
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- Allegheny Mountain (Photo Credit: Doug Puffenbarger)
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- Autumn Change (Photo Credit: Brittany Whitelaw)
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- The Church at the Old Oak in Meadowdale (Photo Credit: Debbi Duke Stephenson)
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- Dividing Waters Farm (Photo Credit: Marcia Carroll)
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- Doe Hill (Photo Credit: Tracey Lawrinson Blagg)
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- Monterey (Photo Credit: Ellen Harris Phillips)
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- Photo Credit: Michael Bedwell
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- View of Jack Mountain from Back Street in Monterey (Photo Credit: Ellen Ratcliffe)
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- Photo Credit: Marcia Carroll
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- Allegheny Mountain (Photo Credit: Sara Jean Warner)
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- Monterey Mountain (Photo Credit: Mindy Armstrong)
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- Photo Credit – Marcia Carroll
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- Back Street in Monterey (Photo Credit: Ellen Ratcliffe)
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- Mill Gap Farms (Photo Credit: Emily Policastro Conner)
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- Crab Run in McDowell (Photo Credit: Jimmy Borges)
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- Doe Hill (Photo Credit: Mindy Armstrong)
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- At Red Rocks (Photo Credit: Erica Stephenson)
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- Beautiful Maples at Puffenbarger’s Sugar Orchard. (Photo Credit: Terri Puffenbarger)
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- Monterey from Jack Mountain (Photo Credit: Marcia Carroll)
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- Williamsville (Photo Credit: Holli McVeigh)
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- Dug Bank Road (Photo Credit: Winifred Stephenson)
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- Photo Credit: Marcia Carroll
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- Jack Mountain from The Highland Center (Photo Credit: Jimmy Borges)
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- Meadowdale Tree (Photo Credit: Robby Vandevander)
Week of October 5, 2020
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- Monterey from Jack Mountain (Photo Credit: Marcia Carroll)
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- Allegheny Mountain (Photo Credit: Hilary Smith)
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- Allegheny Mountain (Photo Credit: Michael Bedwell)
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- Monterey from Jack Mountain (Photo Credit: Julie Olsen Dunson)
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- Shenandoah Mountain Breastworks (Photo Credit: Trevor Lambert)
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- Allegheny Mountain (Photo Credit: Doug Puffenbarger)
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- Vanderpool (Photo Credit: Marcia Carroll)
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- Hightown (Photo Credit: Kathy Cobb)
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- (Photo Credit: Crystal Waybright)
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- (Photo Credit: Crystal Waybright)
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- Blue Grass Valley Road (Photo Credit: Michael Bedwell)
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- Cowpasture River Gorge (Photo Credit: Jimmy Borges)
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- Allegheny Mountain (Photo Credit: Hilary Smith)
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- (Photo Credit: Crystal Waybright)
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- Hightown (Photo Credit: Crystal Waybright)
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- Allegheny Mountain (Photo Credit: Doug Puffenbarger)
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- Church on Strait Creek Road (Photo Credit: Paula Tate)
Week of September 28, 2020
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- Allegheny Mountain (Photo Credit: Mindy Armstrong)
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- Allegheny Mountain (Photo Credit: Michael Bedwell)
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- Backyard Leaves in Vanderpool (Photo Credit: Gwen Cauley)
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- Allegheny Mountain (Photo Credit: Michael Bedwell)
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- Enjoy Fall with the Neighbors (Photo Credit: Mindy Armstrong)
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- The Yin and Yang of Summer and Fall (Photo Credit: Marcia Carroll)
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- Fall Sunset near McDowell (Photo Credit: Jimmy Borges)
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- Allegheny Mountain (Photo Credit: Michael Bedwell)
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- Meadowdale Color (Photo Credit: Marcia Carroll)
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- Fall Dog Walk (Photo Credit: Candi Carpenter)
About the Author
Dorothy Stephenson grew up on her family's cattle operation in Meadowdale, located in the southwest corner of Highland County. When she wasn't on horseback helping her father gather and work cattle, you'd likely find her (still on horseback) jumping creeks in her family's nearby "Big Pasture." Today, though she doesn't ride horses much anymore, she has her own cattle, land, and expansion plans for a farm. Additionally, (and with the inherited, Stephenson, entrepreneurial spirit) she owns two small businesses in Highland County - Sundance Media & Design and Sundance Studio & Productions, which houses another of Dorothy's long-time loves - Clogging. Dorothy loves exploring new places, skills, and ideas, and she intends to live life to the fullest as long as it will let her. (Oh! And she LOVES Christmas!)
Can’t wait to be there in 1 week!
A perfect marriage between the talent of our many local photographers and the spectacular, unspoiled scenery of Highland County. Thank you for bringing our attention to both.
We do have some amazing photographers who love our amazing mountains. So glad you enjoyed the post, Carolyn!