The Autumn Hat Trick: Snow, Wildflowers and Fall Color
Mammoth Lakes Hat Trick (9/21/17) Alicia Vennos
A day before the autumnal equinox Mono County color spotter Alicia Vennos reports she awoke to find snow, blooming wildflowers and fall color out her door.
Photographer Marc Hoshovski reported snow fell down to 7,000′ in elevation yesterday, “so this could get things happening.
Though, when he visited Nelson Lake south of Tuolumne Meadows, the aspen and meadow grasses were still mostly green.
Even the corn lily (veratrum) which turn yellow in late summer as things dry out, he commented were holding their green, “The The only sign of leaf color so far are Dwarf Bilberry (Vaccinium cespitosum) leaves starting to turn purple.
Nelson Lake, Yosemite National Park (9600’) – Just Starting (0-10%)
Do you think more colors will appear by next weekend? (Sept 30)
Yes. Even better, the following week. I plan to be in the Eastern Sierra, Oct. 2 – 4, which should be prime at the highest elevations.
Oct 9th I’m driving from Jackson Ca to S.Lake Tahoe via hwy 88 & 89. Will Hope Valley still have a lot of colors left.
Thanks
Hope Valley should be good that week, though we’ve not gotten many reports from along Hwy 88, as yet.