GREENVILLE — It’s a time-honored tradition: Families packing into cars and driving back roads into the mountains to witness the annual miracle of leaves changing color.

But this year, it’ll be a little different.

Hurricane Helene reshaped the forests across the Carolinas. In some areas, popular trails and roads remain closed and large swaths of the canopy are still scarred, leaving sparse hope of the colorful vistas once a trademark of the region.

Yet in many other areas, the roads are clear, and the storm revealed hidden growth now shining with new vibrancy. You just might have to explore a little more to find them.

“You should be able to find really, really nice fall color somewhere,” said Don Hagan, a Clemson University professor who treks into the mountains each year and reports

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