Shasta Cascade Approaching Peak – Go Now!

Maple – Greenville, Plumas County (10/21/12) Jeff Titcomb

Shasta Cascade color spotter Brittini McGuire provides this roundup of color from far northeastern California.  An early winter storm that rolled through Northern California this past week has not diminished the color to be seen across the Shasta Cascade, as most of the trees are still approaching peak, though some previously turned leaves were blown off branches.  Areas of the Shasta Cascade – other than Sacramento Valley cities – are near peak.  Here’s the latest:

50 – 75% – Siskiyou County – The change has been slow but with the colder nights are finally contributing to sugaring. The forest is full of yellow with some red.

Modoc County:

50 – 75% – Modoc National Forest – Modoc NF is experiencing bright fall colors with mostly yellow and orange, with some red. Many trees have begun to lose their leaves.

50 – 75% – Alturas – Approaching peak with lots of yellow, green, oranges and some red.

Lassen County

50 – 75% – Eagle Lake – The BLM is reporting Eagle Lake as “A sight to see,” with cooler weather having accelerated the color change.  Aspen have been busy changing to gold, orange and red.

Shasta County

50 – 75% – Whiskeytown National Recreation Area – Trees at lower elevations around the lake are at about 50% of change.  The oaks, brush, and smaller trees are all showing great color change with bright lime and yellow.  Trees on the mountain are now about 60% color change.

50 – 75% – Redding – This city is a convenient base from which to explore the color to be seen in upstate California.  It also has beautiful color, particularly near Sundial Bridge, along the Sacramento River Trail and in residential areas south of City Hall.  Lots of yellow, orange and red can be seen among both native and exotic trees.  Visit the McConnell Arboretum and Gardens on the north side of Sundial Bridge for a display of varied species.

Trinity County

50 – 75% – Trinity County – Most deciduous species in Trinity County have turned yellow and red colors.

Tehama County

Past Peak – Lassen Volcanic National Park – The main park road through Lassen Volcanic National Park is now covered with snow, due to early storms that arrived this week.

50 – 75% – Manzanita Lake – Color spotters near this scenic lake at the northwest entrance to Lassen Volcanic National Park are reporting aspen and willows surrounding the lake having turned yellow, with maples turning red.  Black cottonwoods near Hat Creek standout with bright gold.

30 – 50% – Red Bluff – Catalpa trees are turning from bright green to yellow. The Redbuds are showing their golden tone.

30 – 50% – Butte County – Chico is known as both the City of Roses and the City of Trees.  In autumn, the city is flush with color from a variety of big elms, black oaks, alders, gingkos, hornbeams, birch and maples.  Look for lots of red and yellow, though still plenty of green this week.  Peak will occur in the coming two weeks, should storms diminish.

75 – 100% – Plumas County – Plumas County has been at full peak, particularly in the highest areas of the Sierra for the past two weeks.  Indian rhubarb, aspen and bigleaf maples are in their glory, though brown is beginning to join these colors.  The cottonwood and aspen in the Graeagle-Quincy area are gorgeous.  Despite being at peak, most trees have not yet turned, so there’s still a week or two left of fall color in this beautiful corner of California.