Past Peak at Highest Elevations, Coloring up Below

The weather across California has been ideal for fall color displays, with very few storms coming through since Autum began.  That means that other than those trees which are past peak, most of the trees have yet to turn color, and those trees that are changing have lots of leaves on their branches with lots of color.

From Parcher’s Resort, we get this report:

South Lake – Elevation 9768 ft

Past Peak – The color at the back of the lake is nearly gone but the groves near the rock slide are hanging pretty tough and showing some really vibrant orange hues still.

Weir Pond – Elevation 9592 ft

Past Peak – Despite snow last week, the view at Weir Pond has held up.  Bright yellow, gold and orange colors are still prevalent around the shoreline of the pond. Jared Smith of Parcher’s Resort considers this to be one of the best stops on the canyon right now.

 Parchers Camp – Elevation 9260 ft

Past Peak – It was more vibrant a week ago but there is still a lot of color in every direction here at the resort. Also, the aspen along the creek near the resort are looking fantastic and offering the opportunity for epic fall color stream shots.

North Lake – Elevation 9255ft

Past Peak – The North Lake area aspens are still gorgeous, even though slightly past peak color.  North Lake Rd is also showing off some great color still. If you’re a photographer visiting the area, don’t miss North Lake!

North Lake Road 10-12-10

North Lake 10-12-10

Lake Sabrina – Elevation 9150 ft

Past Peak – Some beautiful color is still showing, especially near the back of the lake. Orange and reds showing here and there – best view is probably from the dam or from a boat.

Sabrina Camp Groves – Elevation 9000 ft

Past Peak – The Sabrina camp grove is a goner for this season.

Table Mountain Camp Grove – Elevation 8845 ft

Past Peak – The groves at Mountain Camp are a shadow of what they were a week or so ago but the view of this grove is still breathtaking. Some really nice red is developing on the far side of the creek.

Groves below Table Mountain Camp 10-12-10

 The Famous Mist Falls on South Fork Bishop Creek

50-75% – Famous Mist Falls is getting close. A lot of yellow is developing there.  This is expected to peak within a week, though it’s a gorgeous view even now.

Four Jeffrey Camp Groves

30-50% – Some of the green is turning to gold here but this area still has a ways to go before it peaks, good news for color chasers in the coming weeks.

Mountain Glen Campground

50-75% – Still behind hanging behind the rest of the higher elevation aspens – more green than yellow.

Willow Camp – Elevation 9065 ft

Past Peak – The best has come and gone near Willow but there are still plenty of trees in full color right now. I’m not sure how long it will last but the views are very good right now.

Surveyor’s Meadow

Past Peak – Even with the peak gone, there is a lot of yellow and orange left hanging around. Jared writes, “Judging by how many photographers are still stopping at this location, I have to believe that its worth it.”

 Aspendell – 8500ft

75-100% – The higher elevation aspens are gone now but the lower groves near the creek are beginning to look amazing. Still some time yet before it peaks but it’s a great view right now.

Other reports — Most of the areas below 8,000 ft are reporting green leaves.  This happened last year in which there was a week’s difference between the trees at 7,000 and those above 8,000′.  The aspen in Lee Vining Canyon (east side of Yosemite’s Tioga Pass) and the Hope Valley (CA-88), for example, are reported as being mostly green, though aspen along Hwy 89 on the way to Markleeville and at Monitor Pass are peaking (a good bet for a colorful drive would be Hwy 89 from the Hope Valley to Coleville. 

Expect the color to spread to lower elevations this weekend and through next week.   The best big bold color areas still remain in the canyons of the Eastern Sierra (Bishop Creek, Rock Creek, Convict Lake, Mammoth Lakes, Lundy Lake, Virginia Lakes, Twin Lakes, Sonora Pass).  All other areas of California are reporting spatters of color.  Color spotters in Plumas County, for example, are showing lots of bright red, but limited to specific trees or shrubs.

Photo Credit: © 2010, Jared Smith and Kristina Karaday