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Fall Photo Guide

Lake Trahlyta, Vogel State Park

Blue Ridge Mountains, Georgia · 2,238 ft

Past peak 40–70%, dropping Typical peak was 7 days ago

Typical peak

Oct 21 – Oct 29

high confidence in typical timing.

Best light

Best at sunrise

A small CCC-built lake ringed by hardwood slopes with Blood Mountain behind it, putting color and its reflection in one frame. Still water before mid-morning is what makes the shot work.

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

Crowds

high

Busy through peak. Be parked before sunrise or expect to walk in.

Coordinates

34.7697, -83.9169

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Getting there

Park in the day-use lot at Vogel State Park off US 19/129 south of Blairsville and walk the 1-mile loop trail that circles the lake.

What turns here

  • red maple
  • tulip poplar
  • white oak
  • sourwood

Color progression

Typical peak Oct 25

Typical color progression for Lake Trahlyta, Vogel State Park. No change from Sep 17 to Oct 4. First color from Oct 4 to Oct 13. Approaching peak from Oct 13 to Oct 21. Peak from Oct 21 to Oct 29. Past peak from Oct 29 to Nov 8. Bare from Nov 8 to Nov 22.

typical peak Nov 1, 2026

Lake Trahlyta, Vogel State Park is typically at past peak 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

69°F / 45°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

Lake Trahlyta, Vogel State Park on October 25, 2026, the center of its typical peak window.

Solar event times for Lake Trahlyta, Vogel State Park on October 25, 2026
EventTime
First light (blue hour) Sun 6° below horizon 7:24 AM
Sunrise Rises ESE · 104° 7:49 AM
Morning golden hour ends 35 min of low, warm light 8:24 AM
Solar noon Highest sun, flattest light 1:19 PM
Evening golden hour starts 35 min before sunset 6:15 PM
Sunset Sets WSW · 256° 6:49 PM
Last light (blue hour) Sun 6° below horizon 7:15 PM

Times in America/New York · day length 11h 0m · computed from NOAA solar equations.

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

Which way to point the camera

Sun rises ESE, sets WSW.

Aim within 45° of the sun for translucent leaves. Turn your back to it for flat, accurate color.

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.