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Oct trip
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Susan from Davis, Ca on 6/12/2014 3:55:12 PM:
Am planning a thru trip from Pittsburg to DC in Oct. Wanting to catch the fall colors, as I'm from CA and haven't been blessed with such beauty. Whens the best time and what will the trail conditions be like? Thank you on advance!-
 
JJB from Fairmont, WV on 6/12/2014 5:34:21 PM:
The timing and the amount of color you will see are influenced by the amount of rain, etc during the Summer. I think October is a good time but there can be quite a bit of difference between Oct. 1 and Oct. 31. I would suggest you Google some sort of "leaf peeper" type of website. We have used the Farmer's Almanac site and their "peak fall foliage" section. Also look at each state's Dept. of Forestry site.

If you hit it right you are in for one BEAUTIFUL trip! We have been fortunate enough to see some breath taking colors in the trees. Make sure you have fully charged batteries in your camera!
 
Tom M from Raleigh NC on 6/21/2014 9:09:39 PM:
Predicting the timing of peak fall leaf season can be as tricky as predicting the cherry blossoms in DC. However, colors should be good from mid to late October
 
Anonymous on 6/25/2014 6:27:32 PM:
Thank you for your suggestions! Have decided to leave Pittsburg the 15th of Oct ride 50-60 mi a day and enjoy the sights. Looking forward to October!!
 
Randy on 6/26/2014 2:14:17 PM:
Another factor as far as leave color is the precipitation we get through the Summer. So if it becomes dry, the foliage will be dull and the leaves will drop earlier. Sometimes the leaves will just drop because the trees are stressed.
If you roll the dice, Mid-October is perhaps you're best shot, but it can vary +/- by 2 weeks.
I'll check some of the dates on some of my photographs and see if I can help you pinpoint a date.
 
Greg K from Chicago on 6/27/2014 11:40:05 AM:
I went through last year starting October 8 and the trees between Pittsburgh and Cumberland were just starting to turn so I was just a bit early. Between Cumberland and Washington you wouldn't even know it was fall if the temperature wasn't so agreeable. Late October is going to be the best time, I think, but that's because I really don't like the heat.
 
Naismith from Florida on 6/29/2014 8:18:32 PM:
I agree, mod-October should be lovely--it was beautiful last year, although raining.

One thing to be aware of is that services may start shutting down after Columbus Day, whenever that hits. When we were in Ohiopyle, there were like 3 bike shops open on the Saturday when we needed a new tire. On the following Monday, there was an issue with another bike, and we found that everyplace was "closed for the season."
 
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