Coloring Up in Plumas County

Black Oak (10/5/10)

Joe Willis has posted beautiful images of fall foliage being seen in Plumas County on his blog, Black Oak Naturalist.  To check all of them out, click the link at left.

Photo Credit: © 2010,

Snow above 10,000′

A light dusting of snow above 10,000′ did not dampen the enthusiasm of High Sierra leaf peepers this past week.  Last weekend was picture perfect in the high country and the overcast caused by the high cloud cover only served to intensify the color for photographers.  Above 9,500′, the color is past peak, though there’s still plenty of color to be seen below that elevation, with peaking occurring now between 8,000 and 9,000′ in Inyo County.

Photographers are reporting color beginning to show at 7,000′, so expect two more weeks of color in the Eastern Sierra, as the display marches down to lower elevations.

North Lake (10/5/10)

This photograph taken at North Lake by Greg Boyer on Tuesday illustrates the point that even though the weather may be inclement, that’s no reason to not venture out to experience and appreciate nature.  Greg’s beautiful image captures more about the change of season and High Sierra that one might have gotten on a sunnier day.  Greg, based in Bishop, is one of several gifted photographers who live and work in Inyo County’s Eastern Sierra.  To learn more about Greg, his work and his colleagues, visit www.onehorsestudio.com.

Photo Credit: © 2010, Greg Boyer

Here’s the latest from the Eastern Sierra:

South Lake – Elevation 9768 ft

75-100% -The back of the lake behind the island is past its prime but the groves near the front of the lake are at peak color.

Weir Pond – Elevation 9592 ft

75-100% – Some of the aspen above the pond have started to shed their leaves but I would still consider the Weir to be a great stop for photos with some beautiful orange aspen towards the inlet area and still quite a bit of color up on the hill.

Parchers Camp – Elevation 9260 ft

75-100% – 360 degrees of vibrant fall color. There are a few aspens which have begun to shed their leaves, the vast majority of the foliage on the hills and here at the camp are at peak color. Gorgeous!

North Lake – Elevation 9255ft

75-100% – North Lake has really progressed quickly over the past 5 days going from the 50% mark or so to peak color. The typical orange and red above the lake is beautiful right now, as is the famous dirt road, and the grove you see as you approach the lake. No way to tell how long it will last but it’s amazing right now.

Lake Sabrina – Elevation 9150 ft

75-100% – Peaking color at Sabrina is simply breathtaking – don’t miss out!

Sabrina Camp Groves – Elevation 9000 ft

Past Peak -The Sabrina camp grove is far less spectacular than it was a week ago – still some decent color around but not as great as it was.

Table Mountain Camp Grove – Elevation 8845 ft

75-100% – Peak color – simply fantastic views from this area.

The Famous Mist Falls on South Fork Bishop Creek

30-50% – Mist Fall is showing some color but is well behind most of the trees only a mile higher on the canyon. If the weather holds out this will be a great location for fall color in the next week or two.

Four Jeffrey Camp Groves

15-30% – A few trees showing orange and yellow but the majority of the aspen are still green as green can be at this location. This area should provide some fall color action for those visiting later in October.

Mountain Glen Campground

50-75% – Still behind much of the foliage at the same elevation on the other side of the canyon, but there is some beautiful yellow and gold here with a small pocket down by the creek of vibrant orange.

Willow Camp – Elevation 9065 ft

75-100% – The trees lining South Lake Rd near Willow camp really turned fast! I would consider it at or near peak color right now but there are a few trees that are starting to fade a bit.

Surveyor’s Meadow

75-100% – Arguably the best view in the entire canyon, Surveyor’s meadow is absolutely fantastic at present and would certainly be categorized as peak color. The snow capped peaks are adding a lot to the views here.

Aspendell – 8500ft

75-100% – Hard to  put a rating on this one because there is a lot of green to go along with all the yellow, gold and orange – but I’m thinking it is somewhere around 75% or so, maybe a little more. Phenomenal views up canyon from Aspendell.

SacBee.com/leaves

Each year, Dave Henry of the Sacramento Bee produces one of the most comprehensive websites covering Sierra fall color.  The photographs taken by Dave and contributors are beautiful, though perhaps the best aspect is the Bee’s Interactive Guide to the High Sierra.  This map shows the various roads to be taken to fall color in the Sierra, with colored arrows indicating at what stage the color is showing and where it’s happening.  CLICK HERE to see this great website.

Fall Foliage Photo Contest

Marcal, a recycled paper company, is running a fall foliage photo contest.  Post your photos of fall color by Nov. 30 at www.facebook.com/marcalsmallstepsfans and be eligible to win a $100 gift card from Best Buy or a Cannon Digital SLR Camera.

More about Marcal can be found at www.marcalsmallsteps.com.

Welcome Back Monarchs

Male Monarch Butterfly (1/15/06) © John Poimiroo

Natural Bridges State Park in Santa Cruz, CA celebrates the return of the Monarch butterflies on Sunday, October 10 (10/10/10) from 10 a.m. (of course) to 4 p.m.

Children will be dressing up in butterfly costumes for the annual parade, with live music by the 5M’s Band (does M stand for Monarch?), hand-cranked “Monarch” ice cream (we’re sure no butterflies are in it, cause they say it’s made from pumpkins, active learning games for kids, butterfly crafts, Monarch stories and science and guided tours of the Monarch grove.

Other locations along the California Coast to see wintering Monarch butterflies (they usually hang around to early March) are Lighthouse Point in Santa Cruz, Ardenwood Farm Park in Fremont, Pacific Grove and Pismo Beach.

What amazes visitors and biologists alike is that the Monarchs (danaus plexippus) have so short a life span (six weeks to six months) that it is their progeny (great, great grandchildren) who return to the same winter roosting sites.  Why they do this is no mystery, but how they return to the same locations is puzzling.

For more about Natural Bridges State Park’s Welcome Back Monarchs Day, call 831-423-4609.

Photo Credit: © 2006, John Poimiroo

Inyo National Forest Activates Fall Color Report

A couple of years ago, GORP, the respected online backcountry website, identified the Inyo National Forest has having the second best fall color of any national forest in the USA.  That’s not surprising, considering the awesome scenery seen in this forest which is located in the Eastern Sierra.  CLICK HERE, to be linked to Fall color photos and reports on the Inyo’s website.

Listen to KGO for California and Plumas County Reports

This past Saturday morning, KGO radio host John Hamilton welcomed California Fall Color blogger John Poimiroo and Plumas County’s maven of fall color, Suzi Brakken, to report on where it’s happening, now.  CLICK HERE to hear their reports.

CalPhoto – Where Photographers Blog Fall Color

Photographer Carol Leigh is again publishing  fall color reports from California photographers on her superb blog, http://www.calphoto.com.   Yesterday, Jason B. reported, “I headed to the east side today for my 4-day fall color trip. Here is what I saw along the way from Sacramento to Bishop via Carson and Monitor Passes and 395:

  • Caples Lake: Some gold, but still light green. I plan on stopping here on the way back on Monday.
  • Hope Valley: Mainly light green, but some yellow here and there. More yellow and some orange around Sorensen’s.
  • Monitor Pass: The big groves at the top are about a third green, a third yellow, and a third orange. It’s a very pretty view.
  • Conway Summit/Dunderberg Meadow: The view from 395 has green, yellow, and some orange. The groves along Dunderberg Meadow Rd are pretty but the wind was doing a number on the trees today.
  • June Lake Loop: Very green. A little bit of yellow along the road, but most of the color is higher up the slopes.
  • Bishop Creek: Lots of nice color from above Aspendell to Lake Sabrina. Didn’t have time to check out North/South Lakes but will do so tomorrow.”

Big Weekend in the Eastern Sierra

The Parchers Resort at South Lake (Bishop Creek Canyon) is reporting 75% – 100% of peak above 8,500 ft with breathtaking reds, oranges, yellows and a beautiful mix of lime-green and green aspen to complement the hot colors.  This weekend will be a big one for the gorgeous high lakes of Inyo County and the Eastern Sierra.  If it were me, I’d  grab my camera and drive, drive, drive US 395 to Bishop, then head west up into the High Sierra for a colorful fall show of dramatic peaks, turquoise lakes and flame fall color that only California’s Inyo County provides.  Jared Smith of Parchers reports there’s “Still plenty of green in the lower reaches of the canyon so don’t panic if you’re not able to visit for another week or so – weather permitting, there will be color for a while yet.”

South Lake – Elevation 9768 ft

75-100% – South Lake is as good as it gets right now – simply beautiful. The rock slide grove is really starting to pop with some orange and red hues and many of the groves in towards the back of the lake are bright yellow. I would say South Lake is at or very near peak color.

Weir Pond – Elevation 9592 ft

75-100% – Weir is peaking right now as the aspen along the road and along the shore have all turned. The grove above the pond is vibrant and contrasts beautiful against the white granite background. Now is the time to photograph the Weir.

Parchers Camp – Elevation 9260 ft

75-100% – The views surrounding Parchers camp are really looking great right now. Depending on which direction you look the aspens are anywhere between 75% and 100% peak color. The aspens directly to the east and west of the resort are the most colorful with lots of orange and some red.

North Lake (9/29/10)

North Lake – Elevation 9255ft

75-100% – North Lake has really progressed quickly over the past 5 days going from the 50% mark or so to peak color. The typical orange and red above the lake is beautiful right now, as is the famous dirt road, and the grove you see as you approach the lake. No way to tell how long it will last but it’s amazing right now.

Lake Sabrina – Elevation 9150 ft

75-100% – One of the more recognizable views in the canyon, Lake Sabrina, is at or near its most colorful display of autumn beauty. Get your camera and capture it while you can!

Sabrina Camp Groves – Elevation 9000 ft

75-100% – The Sabrina camp grove is at it’s peak, perhaps a tad past it’s peak. The view is still stunning to say the least. I don’t expect the Aspens along the road to last a whole lot longer, but with the unseasonably beautiful weather we’ve had, who knows.

Table Mountain Camp Grove – Elevation 8845 ft

75-100% – The grove just below Table Mountain is on fire right now. Still a little green left to change but it is certainly getting close peak color.

The Famous Mist Falls on South Fork Bishop Creek

30-50% – Mist Fall is finally starting to turn and to be honest, I really like the contrast of the bright green against the yellow foliage right now.

Four Jeffrey Camp Groves

15-30% – Finally starting to see some color here – although a late turn at this elevation is a good thing as there will still be some beautiful colors to photograph even when the higher elevation color has come and gone.

Mountain Glen Campground

50-75% – Gorgeous – but a tad behind the groves up canyon. Will likely see the peak here within the next week sometime.

Willow Camp – Elevation 9065 ft

50-75% – Quite a bit of green still mixed in but the colors are turning quite nicely near Willow Camp. This is an area that is susceptible to wind so lets all cross our fingers and hope that mother nature will take it easy with the wind for a bit and we can see this area develop to it’s peak color.

Surveyors Meadow (9/29/10)

Surveyor’s Meadow

75-100% – Simply stunning here at the groves between Table Mountain and Willow Camp. It is nearly impossible to drive through there without stopping to enjoy the color splashed all across the hillside. Quite a bit of red mixed in at this location as well.

Aspendell (9/29/10)

Aspendell – 8500ft

50-75% – These groves are displaying some beautiful orange and yellow now, and yet there is still quite a bit of green down by Cardinal Lodge. The view is stunning but there is still more color to come at this location if the weather holds out.

Bridge above Sabrina Camp – 9050ft

75-100% – The aspens are really turning fast below Sabrina and the views with the creek and the color together are fantastic.

Photo Credit: © 2010, Kristina Karaday