She’s hoping to spot some wildlife. Hurlbert says she might catch a glimpse of deer or other animals as they prepare for winter.

“The deer are really fun to see at this time of year. Their colors are blending in with the background and they’re losing their summer coats and getting their winter coats.”

The highest peak in the park is 1,200 meters. Rick Steinberg lives by the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, which are much higher.

“Such a different vista than the Colorado mountains. All the different colors and the greenery, the shadows, just the overlooks are very different," said Steinberg.

He was surprised to learn that the Blue Ridge Mountains are older than mountain ranges with higher elevations. Hurlbert explains that’s because the Blue Ridge range has eroded over time.

"These mountains are about 250 million-years-old, and when they were first formed they were much higher than they are today. Some people compare their original size to the Alps or the Himalayas. Since then they have been eroding away," she said.

While the leaves on the higher elevations are mostly gone, those in the middle are at peak. On the lower level, Hurlbert says, the leaves haven’t changed but will soon.

“Fall lasts a lot longer because you can see it in different places at different times," said Hurlbert.

By mid-November, she says, the color will be gone and so will many of the tourists.