Redwoods Ablaze With Color

Eel River (unknown date) mlhradio, Flickr Creative Commons

The Save The Redwoods League reported on its Facebook page this past Friday that “the redwood forest is ablaze with color.”

So, we called color spotter Grant Roden at Elk Meadow Cabins.  Grant is a naturalist/guide located at Orick near Redwood National and State Parks.  He said the color has peaked at Elk Meadow, though he’s heard that spots along The Redwood Highway (U.S. 101) are peaking, as this photo from the Save The Redwoods League website shows.

Because the elevations in the North Coast are consistent, the color descends much as it does in New England, by latitude along the coast starting at Del Norte County, then descending to Humboldt and eventually Mendocino County. North Coast vineyards, of course, go off on their own schedule by grape variety, and many are peaking, now.

Elk Rut, Elk Meadow Cabins (File Photo) Rick E Martin

Grant said the elk rut, this past September, was one of the most spectacular in recent memory.  He said he could hardly get out the Elk Meadow Cabins front office door for the battles occurring between bull elk on the lawn surrounding the lodge. The rut is one of the most colorful, fascinating and exciting wildlife events to occur annually in California.  It’s certainly worth planning a trip to see, next September.

Also of note is that the return of moist weather to the North Coast has become an unexpected attraction, with drought-parched Californians reveling in the rain.

The Redwood Highway (Peak – 75 – 100%) – We’re asking North Coast spotters to confirm this report by sending photos.

Redwood National and State Parks (Past Peak) – YOU MISSED IT!

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