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The Fire Keeps Burning in the Shasta Cascade

Chico (11/14/13) Stephany

Esplanade Ave., Chico (11/14/13) Stephany Fernandez

This long season of fall color keeps glowing in the Shasta Cascade with most of the region almost or past peak.  Still, there’s lovely color to be seen in Tehama County (Red Bluff), Shasta County (Redding), Trinity County (Weaverville) and in Butte County (Chico).  Here’s the latest from color spotter Grace Smith.

GO NOW! – 75 – 100% – Tehama County – In its second week of full peak, Tehama County is showing varied color with some trees now dropping leaves. Maples are bright red and orange. Oaks are still short of peak, though deep amber to brown.  Bright yellow and burnt orange can also be seen on many trees throughout the county.

Citrus St., Chico (11/14/13) Stephany Fernandez

Citrus St., Chico (11/14/13) Stephany Fernandez

GO NOW! – 75 – 100% – Shasta County – Now in its third week of reported peak, Shasta County still has more color to give, though leaves are dropping rapidly. Oaks are yellowish to amber with some brown, and are about half there. Maples are at peak, with bright red and orange and some remaining yellow. Many are shedding color.  Top places to view the color are: The Sacramento River Trail, McConnell Arboretum, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, Shasta Lake, Clear Creek, the Battle Creek Wildlife Area near Coleman Fish Hatchery, and Anderson River Park.

Fall color at Chico State (11/14/13) Liliana Navia

GO NOW! – 50 – 75% – Butte County – Butte County is finally approaching peak with things starting to change rapidly. Many trees have lost a lot of their color, though there are broad splashes of brilliant yellow, orange and red at Bidwell Park, Chico State, the Hwy 32 Corridor, the Hwy 99 corridor, Esplanade Ave, Manzanita Ave., and Mangrove Ave in the Chico area.

GO NOW! – 75 – 100% – Trinity County – Trinity County is bordering on past peak, though color spotter Grace Smith reports glimpses of fall color remaining along the drainages.  This, however, should be past peak within the week.