Yosemite Valley Past Peak

Reflections along the Merced River, Yosemite National Park © 2011 Michael Frye

Michael Frye reports this week that last Thursday’s light dusting of snow provided both beautiful images of color peeking through the dusting and the last of the peak in Yosemite Valley.  Here’s a report taken from his blog:

Past Peak – Yosemite Valley – “The next question is… what did the storms do to the fall color? While the rain and snow Thursday night knocked some leaves down, things were still in pretty good shape on Friday. But it got colder Friday night, and then there was another storm, and more cold temperatures Sunday night and last night. I spoke with Ansel Adams Gallery staff photographers Evan and Kirk, and it seems that the trees that were already turning, particularly the big-leaf maples in many spots, lost most of their leaves. There’s still some good color around Fern Spring, and Valley View, and some oaks and dogwoods in the eastern end of the Valley are still partially green. It’s been a long, slow-changing autumn in Yosemite, with no real peak. The best color is probably over, but some spots could have good color for awhile longer.”

In our experience, some of the loveliest color can be found with the first snowfall on the last fall color.  Black oak can be covered with snow or frost, well into early winter for moody photographs, so consider visiting Yosemite in November to capture these kinds of photographs and for the special solitude that occurs during this quiet time in the national park.

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Gull Lake Remembered

Near Gull Lake (11/1/11) © 2011 Jyoti Suravarjula

Gull Lake (11/1/11) © 2011 Jyoti Suravarjula

Gull Lake (11/1/11) © 2011 Jyoti Suravarjula

Gull Lake Area (11/1/11) © 2011 Jyoti Suravarjula

Past Peak Aspen Leaves, Gull Lake (11/1/11) © 2011 Jyoti Suravarjula

Aspen Leaves (11/1/11) © 2011 Jyoti Suravarjula

Silver Lake (11/1/11) © 2011 Jyoti Suravarjula

Color spotter Jyoti Suravarjula sent these lovely photographs taken in late October near Gull Lake.  Color in the Eastern Sierra has now disappeared, though Jyoti’s photographs remind us of the beauty that was to be seen in one of the longest lasting shows of fall color in recent years.

15 – 30% – Santa Clara Valley – Sweet gum and California ash are coloring up in the South San Francisco Bay Area.

Photo Credit: © 2011  Jyoti Suravarjula

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Big Range of Color at LA Arboretum

Pin oak, LA County Arboretum (11/6/11) © 2011 Frank McDonough

Chinese pistache, LA County Arboretum (11/6/11) © 2011 Frank McDonough

30 – 75% – Los Angeles Co. Arboretum & Botanic Garden – Frank McDonough reports a broad range of color change can be seen at the LA County Arboretum.  The Pin Oak (quercus palustris) seen at left is native to the eastern United States, though is one of the colorful species to be seen at the arboretum.

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Yosemite Valley Still Colorful

Bigleaf Maple, Yosemite Valley (11/2/11) © 2011 Michael Frye

75 – 100% – Yosemite Valley – Outdoor photographer Michael Frye took this shot during one of his camera workshops.  He reports, “The yellow big-leaf maples are past peak in a couple of early-changing spots, and just getting there in other places (like around Fern Spring), but overall they look great. The dogwoods are becoming more colorful every day. Most are still partially green, but you can find beautiful specimens around Valley View and between the old dam (Highway 120/140 junction) and Pohono Bridge. The higher-elevation dogwoods along Highways 41 and 120, and in the Tuolumne Grove, should be prime, though I haven’t checked them out personally.”

 
As mentioned in previous posts on his blog (seen at left) “most of the cottonwoods leaves just turned brown and dropped off, and the same thing happened to some of the black oaks. But the oaks around Cook’s Meadow seem to have avoided this problem, and are still in good shape, though they’ve only just started to change color. The elm in the middle of Cook’s Meadow looked great two days ago, but will probably lose most of its leaves soon.”

A weak but cold storm came through the Sierra this week and Michael blogged “that could change everything. The snow level might drop as low as 3,500 feet. Since Yosemite Valley is at 4,000 feet that means a dusting of snow could coat the trees and those yellow leaves—a highly photogenic combination if it happens. But the wind, precipitation, and sudden dip in temperature might also cause many trees to drop their leaves abruptly, or make partially-green trees, like the oaks, turn brown. It’s impossible to predict how these things will play out, but autumn could end abruptly in Yosemite Valley. On the other hand, snow-covered trees and clearing storms can look great also!”

For more of Michael’s great reports and photos, consult his blog in the Blogroll at left.

California Fall Color is reporting this week and much of next from New Zealand, where spring has just ended and summer is beginning.  So, we’re at a temporary disadvantage in not being able to see the color, though will post as we receive reports from California color spotters.  In the meantime, do as we’re doing and explore the great outdoors!

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Vineyards approach Peak

50 – 75% – Napa and Sonoma Counties – color spotters are reporting orange, red and burgundy among the vines.

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Maples Begin to Show at LA Arboretum

10 – 15% – Los Angeles Arboretum – Frank McDonough reports that maples are beginning to show color at the LA County Arboretum & Boytanic Garden.

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At peak on Hwy 88, 89, 4 loop

75 – 100% – Hope Valley – Patty Brisenden of Sorensen’s Resort reports she traveled Sorensen’s in the Hope Valley “east on Hwy. 88 where the colors are still pretty. Down Hwy 89 to Markleeville and then on Hwy 4 back over the Sierra to Murphys and Angels Camp.  Gorgeous route and beautiful colors for now.  Snow may be heading our way… so not sure how long it will last.  Hwy. 4 is a spectacular route, slow but lovely.”

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