Archive for month: October, 2009

Salmina Road (10/20/09)

An unusual switch has been happening in Lake County, where fall colors developed first at Clear Lake (el 1,600′) than in the higher terrains on Cobb Mountain (4,700′) reports Terre Logsdon.

75-100% — Forest Lake. At Forest Lake (el. 2,700′), the cottonwoods are a riot of gold, backgrounded by dogwoods and oaks.

75-100% — Salmina Rd. Terre says that Salmina Rd, off CA-175 near Loch Lomond at 2,500 feet where Salmina’s Resort was at the turn of the 19th century, the trees are at their prime color – oaks and cottonwoods are golden with the dogwoods casting a warmer glow.

Amber Knolls Vineyard (10/20/09)

15-30% — Red Hills. The vineyards in the Red Hills AVA, especially the red varietals, are turning yellow and orange, with hints of burgundy veining the leaves. Pear and walnut orchards in the Big Valley bordered by Hwy. 29, along Soda Bay Road, and in Upper Lake on CA-20 are continuing to show yellow and golden.  With Lake County weather predicted to be in the 40s at night and days in the 70s and 80s, there are continued prospects for good color.

Photography: © 2009, Lyle Madeson

Bigleaf Maple, Plumas County (10/17/09)

Photographs just sent from Plumas County show that fall is peaking across the Sierra, from Bishop in the Eastern Sierra, up through Mammoth and June Lakes, at Lake Tahoe to Plumas County at the northern end of the Sierra Nevada.

Bigleaf Maple, Plumas County (10/17/09)

75-100% — Plumas County.  Bigleaf Maple are glowing yellow in the forests and towns of Plumas County.

Eastern Sugar Maple, Quincy (10/17/09)

75-100% — Quincy.  Exotic and native trees are dazzlingly bright yellow, orange, pink and crimson.

Photo Credit: © 2009, Christie Brawley

Murray House, Quincy (10/17/09)

Napa Valley (10/17/09)

15-30% — Napa Valley.  Vineyards in the Napa Valley are turning by grape variety.  Some plots are deep aubergine, others a mix of crimson, orange, yellow, and lime-green.  Most of the valley is still green.  The boulevard of elms at the Beringer winery is glowing yellow.  Given that weather does not otherwise damage the leaves, the vineyards should continue to be colorful for two to three weeks.

Napa Valley (10/17/09)

30-50% — CA-128.  Sage Canyon Road from the Napa Valley has pockets of bigleaf maple and cottonwoods in moist canyon areas that have turned yellow with orange touches.  A spectacular bright yellow alder glows at the Nichelini Winery.  Between Lake Hennessy and Lake Berryessa, bright yellow ash and bigleaf maple and some orange-red poison oak are seen near the Somerston Vineyards which are just begining to show color.

Photo Credit: © 2009, John Poimiroo

Yosemite Chapel & Black Oaks (stock photo)

I just spoke with Scott Gediman, PIO at Yosemite National Park, who says the sugar maple by the Yosemite Chapel is at 75% peak and should peak sometime between now and the end of the weekend, as when it goes, it happens fast.

Here’s how it stands in Yosemite National Park at present:

15-30% — Yosemite Valley Maples. As reported earlier in the week, the Yosemite Blog reports that “Bigleaf maples on talus slopes and riparian woodlands from Cascades to Happy Isles are lighting up.”

30-50% — Yosemite  Valley Black Oaks. Scott adds that Yosemite Valley’s stately black oaks are nearing 50% of peak, with their deep orange color providing beautiful contrast to California’s blue skies and revitalized waterfalls.

75-100% — Yosemite Chapel Sugar Maple. Scott says the sugar maple near the Chapel is near peak and will probably peak over the weekend.  This gorgeous red tree is not native to the Sierra, having been planted by settlers in the Valley.  Now is the time to go see it in full color, as the color won’t last long.

75-100% — Wawona. Another maple south of Forest Drive in Wawona is also turning. Some aspens and cottonwoods in the Wawona area are starting to turn.

Photo Credit: © Howardliuphoto | Dreamstime.com