Shasta Cascade – Peak Descends to the Rivers

This will likely be the last week to see peak color in Plumas, Lassen and Siskiyou counties in the Shasta Cascade region of northeast California. Many of their trees are now losing leaves, though beautiful color can still be found in spots. While these higher elevation areas are moving past peak, all lower elevation areas near the Trinity, Feather and Sacramento Rivers in the Shasta Cascade are now peaking. They will likely carry full peak through next week.  Here’s the lowdown:

Butte County (Peak 75%-100%) As reported earlier this week, Esplanade Blvd. in downtown Chico is glorious.  A canopy of fully peaked towering trees overhangs the broad boulevard.  Bidwell Park and the CSU Chico campus are now painted with auburn, crimson, purple, yellow, gold and orange.  Exotic plants are showing brilliant color. GO NOW!

Tehama County (Peak  75-100%) Tehama County, at the north end of the Sacramento Valley, is now peaking.  The best color is found beside the Sacramento River at William P. Ide Adobe State Park, the Red Bluff Recreation Area off Sale Lane, Red Bluff River Park downtown and northeast of Red Bluff where Jellys Ferry Rd crosses the river.  In Red Bluff, there is lots of color on Main Street, with contrasts of historic architecture framed by trees. GO NOW!

Shasta County (Peak 75%-100%) Towering cottonwood and other riparian trees at Turtle Bay Exploration Park, the McConnell Arboretum and Botanical Garden, at Sundial Bridge and along the Sacramento River Trail are peaking. Anderson River Park in Anderson has a beautiful blend of red, yellow, soft green, and orange, all on one tree. Cottonwood along the river are now losing leaves. GO NOW!

Trinity County (Peak 75%-100%) On Hwy 299 from Redding west to Fortuna motorists pass pockets of golden cottonwood, yellow bigleaf maple and chartreuse wild cucumber, all accented with spots of crimson beside the Trinity River. Weaverville  is a must stop on a fall excursion along this route is visiting the interior of Joss House State Historic Park, an elaborately sculpted Chinese temple, with its red and gold carved altar. GO NOW!

Modoc County (Peak 75%-100%) Modoc National Forest is at peak with an abundant display of fall color. GO NOW!

Siskiyou County (Peak  to Past Peak) Fall is fading fast in Siskiyou County. In the town of Mt. Shasta, many planted trees have peaked and are now losing leaves. Snow-covered Mt. Shasta provides a dramatic backdrop to the remaining color, though it lacks the luster of the photos taken last week by Cory Poole. GO NOW!

Plumas County (Peak to Past Peak) Plumas County was the first part of the Shasta Cascade to peak and color spotter Karen Moritz there says  Plumas is “definitely past peak” though color can still be found in the Feather River Canyon and around Greenville. GO NOW!

Lassen County (Peak to Past Peak) Similar to Siskiyou and Plumas, Lassen County is now past peak, though some areas are still lovely as seen in this photo of a boy taken by Joel Rathje. GO NOW!