Double Rainbow, Conway Summit (10/14/16) Jeff Simpson
Conway Summit (10/14/16) Jeff Simpson
Jeff Simpson drove throughout Mono County yesterday and found the colors to be “unbelievable” before the storm. This morning, he returned across the same route and was pleased to see that despite last night’s rain and wind the color, “was still there,” and he was “very surprised to see a good majority of leaves still on the trees,” despite severe wind the previous night.
Earlier this autumn, we wrote about the abcission layer which develops in autumn, preventing the leaf from being nourished. “Eventually, like scissors, the abscission cells close the connection between leaf and branch and the leaf falls,” we reported.
Conway Summit (10/14/16) Jeff Simpson
Wind is the biggest nemesis to autumn leaves, but if the leaves are still being nourished by the tree and the abcission layer isn’t yet fully closed, they may stay attached to branches, even though colorful and near ready to fall. That is likely what happened in this case.
The joy Jeff felt about fall still continuing in Mono County, regardless of the storm, was doubled when he spied a double rainbow arcing over Conway Summit.
Conway Summit, Mono County – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
Drive around your town, as Gigi deJong did this morning in Bishop, and you’ll find trees full of color poking out from above rooftops and gathering in front yards, like neighbors catching up on the latest gossip.
“Did you hear a storm is coming?” “No! Really?”
“Yup. It’s supposed to last through the weekend.”
Then, Gigi drove slowly along West Line St. – the route you take to get to Bishop Creek Canyon – and found an assortment of fall colors. “Just beautiful,” she wrote.
“Izaak Walton Park is lovely any time of day,” she commented, “and the ‘mini’ forest on the corner at Reata Road has a wonderful radiance.”
Gigi turned toward the Eastern Sierra to see a dark sky descending over the snow-capped range. It added drama to her morning well-spent discovering fall color in Bishop.
Debbi Waldear of Alpine County says color spotters should not give up hope. Though higher areas of the Hope Valley are past peak, she sends these shots, taken today.
Hope Valley – Peak to Past Peak – YOU ALMOST MISSED IT!
Modoc County Courthouse (10/13/16) Lorissa Soriano
Lorissa Soriano sends this shot of the Modoc County Courthouse with a brace of peaking color.
Lassen Peak and willows (10/13/16) Shanda Ochs
Manzanita Lake (10/13/16) Shanda Ochs
Manzanita Creek (10/13/16) Shanda Ochs
Lassen Volcanic National Park guide Shanda Ochs advocates that the willows around Manzanita Lake near the northwest entrance are “mostly golden, some still holding light green.”
She doesn’t expect many leaves to remain after this storm. In its defense, our experience is that leaves that have not yet turned are still sturdy enough to stay on branches, but those at peak fly away to parts unknown.
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Buckley Ponds, Owens Valley (10/12/16) Gigi deJong
Color spotter Gigi deJong drove southeast of Bishop toward the Owens River and the Buckley Ponds in search of color, today.
Buckley Ponds, Owens Valley (10/12/16) Gigi deJong
A smattering of yellow decorates the Bishop Country Club which is otherwise “still beautifully green” and is likely a “late starter.” She predicts it will approach peak in a few days to a week, depending on how much wind lashes the East Side, this week.
There are large and small cottonwood trees dotted all across the northern Owens Valley floor. Some are loners, others in groves. The smaller trees range from fully yellow with burnished orange tips to an overall bronzed orange.
She writes, “The larger trees are just beginning to turn yellow on the tops and edges. Deep red leaves on creeping vines appear as if on fire as they curl around gnarled old wood of dead trees alongside the creeks.
“A high point along Eastside road that runs along the base of the White mountains provides a panoramic view of the Owens River valley and the Sierra Nevada beyond. Early morning and sunset are always beautiful out here.
“The creek, marshes and ponds along Buckley Ponds road have abundant birdlife and the reeds are a shimmering copper color.
“There are large individual trees in many spots in and around Bishop that are almost iridescent yellow. There’s a large grove almost directly opposite my cottage and I’ll go out early tomorrow morning and try and get a few good shots.”
Owens Valley – Patchy (10-50%)
Owens Valley (10/12/16) Gigi deJong
Owens Valley (10/12/16) Gigi deJong
Owens Valley (10/12/16) Gigi deJong
Owens Valley (10/12/16) Gigi deJong
Buckley Ponds, Owens Valley (10/12/16) Gigi deJong
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“Everything, everywhere (in Mono County) is peaking right now, including the June Lake Loop which is glowing and brilliant especially ‘down canyon’ from the Double Eagle Resort to Grant Lake,” reports color spotter, Alicia Vennos.
If you can get there today, GO NOW! As, it may not be there in a day or two. Darrell Sano visited on 10/12 and plans to continue photographing on 10/13, right up to the point when the scene might be gone with the wind.
Alicia advises that a storm is expected on Friday (10/14), with a break Saturday (10/15), and potentially more precipitation on Sunday (10/16). The storm could close Tioga and Sonora passes, though the freeze is expected to be very high.
Tip: During and immediately following an early winter, the scene is spectacular as trees, heavy with fall color, are dusted with snow.
Alicia suggests that anyone traveling this weekend should consult the weather forecast and road conditions (1-800-427-7623) before heading to the East Side in order to avoid road and pass closings.
Litttle Walker Lake (10/10/16) Alicia Vennos
Iconic locations at peak include the June Lake Loop, Convict Lake, Conway Summit, Walker Canyon, McGee Canyon, Twin Lakes and Summers Meadow.
Areas near the end of peak and likely to transition to past peak this weekend include Monitor Pass, Sonora Pass, Lobdell Lake (4WD high clearance vehicles only) and Parker Lake.
WALKER / COLEVILLE / TOPAZ
Monitor Pass – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! – You’ll see color from top to bottom right now. Check road conditions before attempting to cross this pass.
Horse Creek Falls Trail, Twin Lakes (10/10/16) Alicia Vennos
Lobdell Lake – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! – Still some brilliant colors but most leaves will be blown off by the end of the weekend. For 4WD high clearance vehicles only.
Walker Canyon – Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW! – Lots of yellows around every bend working all the way up to Sonora Pass. Still a few days short of full peak.
Towns of Walker & Coleville – Patchy (10-50%) – Just getting started but those iconic cottonwood trees will be perfect next weekend.
Sonora Pass – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! – An incoming storm this weekend may close the pass and the fall color door on this location. Check road conditions before attempting to cross this pass.
BRIDGEPORT / VIRGINIA LAKES
Twin Lakes – Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW! – Still a little green around Upper and Lower Lakes and through the campgrounds of Robinson Creek. Hike the Horsetail Falls or Barney Lake trails for peak colors.
Virginia Lakes (10/12/16) Darrell Sano
Conway Summit (10/12/16) Darrell Sano
Virginia Lakes – Past Peak YOU MISSED IT!
Conway Summit – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! – Still slightly green in some spots but will be perfect later this weekend, conditions permitting, especially on the south side of Conway near the Mono Lake overlook. Check this location post storm for snowy mountains in the background and fall color in the foreground.
Green Creek – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! – Past peak in the upper elevations, especially on the hike to Green Lake. Colors around the road and campgrounds are at peak color.
Summers Meadow – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! – This location will be gleaming with color the next 10 days
Sunrise, Mono Lake (10/12/16) Darrell Sano
LEE VINING
Tioga Pass & Lee Vining Canyon – Near Peak (50-75%) Go Now! – Lee Vining Canyon is just getting going while the colors around Tioga Pass and Saddlebag are past peak. Check road conditions before attempting to cross this pass.
Lundy Lake (10/12/16) Darrell Sano
Lundy Canyon (10/12/16) Darrell Sano
Lundy Lake & Canyon – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! Lundy Canyon and around the beaver ponds are at full peak while colors around the lake and campground are still spotty.
BENTON & 120 EAST
Sagehen Meadow – Past Peak YOU MISSED IT!
JUNE LAKE LOOP
June Lake Loop/Hwy 158 – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! Groves of brilliant yellow, gold and red in some locations while others are still patchy. The drive around the June Lake Loop (Hwy. 158) is especially gorgeous down canyon from the Double Eagle Resort to Grant Lake.
Parker Lake (10/12/16) Darrell Sano
Parker Lake – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! – Colors are still unbelievable at Parker Lake. Take the Parker Bench Trail from Silver Lake Resort for a more difficult but worthy fall color experience.
Litttle Walker Lake (10/10/16) Alicia Vennos
Litttle Walker Lake (10/10/16) Alicia Vennos
Little Walker Lake – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! –Little Walker Lake is finally starting to shine and should be perfect over the next 5 days.
MAMMOTH LAKES
Lakes Basin – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! – Colors around the Mammoth Lakes Basin are at full peak.
Mammoth Creek Road – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! – Take the drive around Sherwin Creek for the best chance for peak fall color.
CONVICT LAKE
Around resort/campgrounds – Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW! Still slightly green the closer you get to US 395 but still plenty of color.
Convict Lake & Canyon – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! Colors around the lake and up Convict Canyon are brilliant right now! Take the short and easy hike around the lake for the best fall color experience.
CROWLEY LAKE/McGEE CREEK
McGee Creek Canyon – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!Great color around the pack station and campground right now!
Around Crowley community – Patchy (10-50%)
ROCK CREEK CANYON
Around Rock Creek Lake –Past Peak YOU MISSED IT!
Along the road – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! – Colors along the road and in the campgrounds are at peak while the higher elevation locations are at past peak.
Shasta Cascade color spotter Jeri Rangel reports that Pacific dogwood are blessing the forest with a mix of rose, ruby and lime leaves in the Trinity Alps along CA-3.
Mixed in the forest are the bright yellow leaves of Locust trees and speckles of gold and yellow willow along the trail to Caribou Lakes in the Trinity Wilderness.
Trinity Alps – Patchy (10-50%)
[wunderground location=”Trinity Center, CA” numdays=”4″ showdata=”daynames,icon,date,conditions,highlow” layout=”simple”]
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Jan Davies reports there’s “a rainbow of colors” in the neighborhoods of Chester at Lake Almanor with bigleaf and rocky mountain maples – as well as some exotics in gardens – showing, “everything from lime green to lemon, gold, umber, and cranberry.”
Lake Almanor is located along the Feather River in northern California, where the northern Sierra Nevada and southern Cascade ranges meet.
Three ecosystems overlap there, the two mountain ranges and the high deserts of northern California and Nevada. This results in a mix of plant and animal life that makes it one of the most fascinating corners of California, and provides for a vibrant mix of fall colors.
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With all eyes on the Eastern Sierra, due to predicted wind and snow, Josh Wray of Mammoth Lakes went out today to see what’s happening and returned with this report.
Mammoth Creek Road – Near Peak (50-75%) Go Now! – This spot sure turned on, quick. The dazzling display of aspen closely grouped together and hugging Mammoth Creek can easily be seen from US-395. From the right vantage point, one can even capture Mammoth Mountain Ski Area in the background. Take a sack lunch and post up by the creek covered in a canopy of yellow. Could this be the gold the original founders of the Mammoth Mine were looking for?
Lundy Canyon – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! – This hotspot never disappoints. You’ll get a fantastic show of fall color along the entire road up to Lundy Canyon. Nearly every grove before Lundy Lake is at peak while some trees at the lake level are now past peak. Take a little extra time to drive back to the beaver ponds for an excellent view of the canyon reflected in the water.
June Lake Loop -Near Peak (50-75%) Go Now! – From June Lake to Grant Lake you can’t lose. It seems that just around every corner on the loop there’s another grove starting to peak. It’s hard not to stop at every turn off making the loop more of a full day drive than just a quick alternate route. The Loop typically starts to peak around this time every year and colors tend to last for about 2 weeks (weather dependent). With the possibility of snow this weekend, you might want to make the drive up and experience the fall colors with a fresh dusting of snow on the ground. Nothing compares to the beauty that happens when fall colors and snow battle for all of the attention.
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