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Fall Photo Guide

Chimney Rock, Catoctin Mountain

Catoctin Mountain, Maryland · 1,395 ft

Bare <20% Typical peak was 16 days ago

Typical peak

Oct 12 – Oct 20

moderate confidence in typical timing.

Best light

Best at sunrise

Classic view faces ESE (110°)

A quartzite outcrop on the east face of Catoctin Mountain looking down over Thurmont and the Monocacy Valley. Broken rock ledges give a hard foreground against the oak and maple color dropping away below.

Seasonal model estimate. Timing remains uncertain; check recent reports before traveling. Source: seasonal timing model. Calculated .

Crowds

moderate

Often busier by mid-morning; consider arriving at first light.

Coordinates

39.6290, -77.4328

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Getting there

Park at the Catoctin Mountain Park visitor center on MD 77 and climb about 1.4 miles on the Wolf Rock and Chimney Rock trail.

What turns here

  • chestnut oak
  • red maple
  • hickory
  • black gum

Color progression

Typical peak Oct 16

Typical color progression for Chimney Rock, Catoctin Mountain. No change from Sep 8 to Sep 25. First color from Sep 25 to Oct 4. Approaching peak from Oct 4 to Oct 12. Peak from Oct 12 to Oct 20. Past peak from Oct 20 to Oct 30. Bare from Oct 30 to Nov 13.

typical peak Nov 1, 2026

Chimney Rock, Catoctin Mountain is typically at bare on Nov 1, 2026.

This season so far

Reported peak

None yet

Seen peak color here? Add a report.

First frost

None yet

No night at or below 32°F since Aug 1.

Last 14 days

62°F / 42°F

Average daily high and low.

Modeled weather for these coordinates from the Open-Meteo historical archive, Aug 1 – Oct 31; not a station record. Reported peak is the median date of approved peak-color reports.

Plan the light

Chimney Rock, Catoctin Mountain on October 16, 2026, the center of its typical peak window.

Solar event times for Chimney Rock, Catoctin Mountain on October 16, 2026
EventTime
First light (blue hour) Sun 6° below horizon 6:53 AM
Sunrise Rises E · 101° 7:20 AM
Morning golden hour ends 37 min of low, warm light 7:57 AM
Solar noon Highest sun, flattest light 12:55 PM
Evening golden hour starts 37 min before sunset 5:53 PM
Sunset Sets W · 259° 6:29 PM
Last light (blue hour) Sun 6° below horizon 6:57 PM

Times in America/New York · day length 11h 9m · computed from NOAA solar equations.

Local terrain can hide the sun; allow extra time to reach your viewpoint.

Which way to point the camera

Sunrise: backlit

Sun behind the canopy — leaves glow translucent. The shot most people are after. Expect flare; a hood or a hand helps.

Sunset: front-lit

Sun behind you. Flat, even light — accurate color, little drama. Good for wide valley scenes, weak for single trees.

Classic composition faces ESE (110°).

Shooting conditions

Glassy water, wind blur, and what the cloud will do to your light.

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Recent reports

What people actually saw here. Been recently? Add yours.

Nearby locations

Within 100 miles in a straight line; road distances can be longer.