The highlands of West Virginia offer up a splendid splash of fall color. My favorite place to photograph this display is at the Dolly Sods Wilderness, part of the Monongahela National Forest in the Allegheny Mountains. The highest plateau east of the Mississippi River (altitudes range from 2,644 ft to 4,123 ft), Dolly Sods is characterized by stunted trees, wind-carved boulders, heath barrens, grassy meadows and bogs. Near the Bear Rocks area, endless meadows of blueberry bushes turn into in a glowing carpet of crimson.
Blueberry bushes turn the barrens into a crimson sea of color.
Hiking among the blueberry bushes at Bear Rocks, Dolly Sods Wilderness
A golden meadow of ferns at Dolly Sods
Multi-colored ferns and maples in a windblown meadow at Dolly Sods
Color along the road leading to Dolly Sods
Bird's eye view of fall color from the Olson Fire Tower
Canaan Valley State Park
Canaan Valley State Park
Cattails and golden rod at Canaan Valley State Park
Sunset at Pendleton Point, Blackwater Falls State Park