California Fall Color

Dude, autumn happens here, too.

Gum and Mulberry trees, Lakeport (11/24/09)

Although autumn doesn’t end until December 21, Thanksgiving Day always seems to be the last day of the year in  which Californians are in an autumn state of mind.  After that, a blizzard of holiday sales make falling prices overwhelm falling leaves.

While there’s still lots of color to be enjoyed, most Californians shift their search from looking for fall color to searching for colorful Christmas lights and Christmas trees.

However, just because the holiday season is upon us does not mean that Mother Nature has given up her beautiful show of autumn color.  California’s urban landscape flickers with auburn, orange, crimson and yellow within its parks and along its boulevards.  Because California’s weather has been mostly mild and clear this fall, 2009 will be remembered as one of the best for beautiful and long-lasting displays of fall color.

This is the last planned California Fall Color report of the season.  Our thanks are expressed to the many color spotters across The Golden State who emailed photographs and reports.

Clear Lake, Lakeport (11/24/09)

75-100% — Lake County. Terre Logsdon reports that “While the harvest of pears, walnuts, and wine grapes has ended for the year, large swaths of color throughout the county remain to be enjoyed as the many oak varieties – black, blue, valley, and Oregon – are at 75% of peak and turning a muted gold to vibrant orange against a backdrop of evergreen pines. Sweet gums are a riot of color in the town of Lakeport, at their peak of color ranging from gold to deep burgundy. Flowering mulberries are nearing their peak ranging from canary yellow to bright green.

Dickens Christmas Market, Lakeport (stock photo)

An annual Dickens’ Christmas Market occurs Nov. 28 in Lakeport.  This annual Christmas event transforms Lakeport into an old English village, complete with costume-clad characters, food booths, and entertainment, as well as an all-day Christmas Market from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Lighted parade begins at 6 p.m. and Christmas tree lighting follows at 6:30 p.m. on Main Street. CLICK HERE for more about this event or call (707) 263-5092.

75-100% — Onyx. Color spotter Danna Stroud of Mammoth Lakes reports that lovely gold colors clusters of trees in the Southern Sierra along CA-178 west of CA-14 and east of Lake Isabella.  Danna oversees the Mammoth Lakes Visitors Bureau which will soon open one of the three new California Welcome Centers recently approved for designation by the California Travel & Tourism Commission.  The new Welcome Centers are located in Mammoth Lakes, El Dorado Hills and Vista and should open in early 2010.  When these state-sanctioned visitor information centers open, the number of California Welcome Centers will increase to 17.  California Welcome Centers bring together visitor information from across California and are great places to get maps and guidance on visiting California.

75-100% — San Francisco Bay Area. Color is at or past peak around San Francisco, providing lots of nostalgic autumn color in the Bay Area for the Thanksgiving Day weekend.  If you’re in The City this weekend, head to Yerba Buena Gardens and Golden Gate Park for the most diverse show of color.  Cindy Hu reports that russet and gold have “been supplanted by LEDs in many corners of The City.  Market Street is adorned with illuminated snowflakes and the palm trees in Union Square have been encircled with white lights.”  She recommends checking out these “bright spots:” Embarcadero Center, Pier 39, Ghirardelli Square, Union Square, Huntington Park, Castro and 18th Streets, Union Street, Golden Gate Park, The Presidio and Fisherman’s Wharf.  CLICK HERE for more details.

Beautiful color may also be found down the Peninsula in Burlingame, Menlo-Atherton, Palo Alto and Los Altos; in the East Bay communities of Danville, Moraga and Walnut Creek; and in the north bay cities of San Rafael and Novato.

75-100% — Sacramento. This Central Valley city is known as being second only to Paris in the number of trees, per capita.  Sacramento has so many trees that special rules govern when and where you can park, so that leaves can be cleared during autumn.  The best displays of fall color are found downtown, surrounding the State Capitol, in the Fabulous Forties (avenues numbered in the 40s) and surrounding Land Park, south of US 50 and downtown.

Past Peak — Plumas County. Color spotter Suzi Brakken reports that the Plumas and Lassen National Forest offices are now selling Christmas tree cutting permits for $10.  All you need is a saw, dry boots and snow clothes. Keep in mind that snow is plentiful in the higher elevations, especially where the favorite Silvertips are found. The permits for Plumas National Forest are also available at many local businesses, including at the Plumas County Visitors Center at the Quincy airport, a half mile west of Quincy on CA-70.  Maps of approved cutting areas come with permits, which are on sale through Dec. 24.

On the Thanksgiving weekend, holiday light parades will be held in Chester and Taylorsville, and merchant open houses with refreshments and tree-lightings will be held in small towns throughout Plumas County this weekend and next. For more information, CLICK HERE.

Past Peak — Gold Country. Color has now descended below 1,000′ in the gold country with little left to change among the oaks and maples.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!  See you next fall!

Lake Sabrina (9/22/09)

Leslie Dawson, Alicia Vennos and Greg Newbry confirm that the high winds that lashed the Eastern Sierra this past week stripped most of the color from the aspen, though cottonwoods which had not yet turned are lime-green to golden and will last for a week or two more.  The aspen in Lower Rock Creek and the lower Lee Vining Canyon were spared from the strongest winds and still have yellow to orange color.  While there are occasional pockets of color in the Eastern Sierra, it is mostly past peak and this will be the last report for the Eastern Sierra.

This was one of the finest years to see fall color in the Eastern Sierra, with breathtaking displays of yellow, orange and red aspen showing in early September high up Bishop Creek (seen at left) and finishing at Halloween with pockets of aspen in sheltered canyons and cottonwoods still glowing.

75-100% – Bishop, Lower Rock Creek Canyon, Lower Lee Vining Canyon and the Antelope Valley. Still good color among the aspen in protected canyons and cottonwoods near Bishop and the Antelope Valley.

Past Peak – Everything Else. It was fun while it lasted.

Now, don’t be confused… we’re only talking about the Eastern Sierra (Mono and Inyo Counties).  Lots of color is still to be enjoyed in the Western (Yosemite Valley) and Northern Sierra (Plumas County).

Walker Canyon (10/25/09)

Walker Canyon (10/25/09)

“Wow!” is all Tim Fesko had to say to describe color in the Eastern Sierra which is at peak.  Tim reported that fall colors are to be seen “just about everywhere you look.”  He says, “Just a tad of lime green, the yellows and oranges are bountiful and striking!” Here’s how it looked this past weekend:

75-100% — Walker Canyon (5400′ – 6000′). Aspen, Cottonwoods and Willows are turning yellow and the oranges are really starting to pop!

50-75% — Antelope Valley (Walker, Coleville & Topaz, 5000′ – 5300′). Cottonwoods are turning from the lime green to yellows. Most are 50/50 with some completely yellow. Some oranges are starting.

75-100% — Monitor Pass (7000′ – 8300′). Monitor Pass, 8314 ft, is at peak.  In areas around the pass, partial to full yellows, some oranges!

Sonora Pass (10/25/09)

75-100% — Sonora Pass (7000′ – 9200′). On the hillsides higher up, groves of yellow and oranges abound. About a third of trees have lost their leaves due to some colder nights and high winds last week. Colors are soon to be done up at these elevations.

Photo Credit: © 2009, Tim Fesko

Monitor Pass (10/23/09)

Monitor Pass (10/23/09)

Monitor Pass (10/23/09)

Monitor Pass (10/23/09)

Walker Canyon (10/23/09)

EASTERN SIERRA

30-50% — Antelope Valley (Walker, Coleville & Topaz 5000′ – 5300′). Mark Fesko of the Meadowcliff Resort reports that the cottonwoods in the Antelope Valley are turning from the lime green to yellows. Some at completely yellow while others are half & half.

50-75% — Monitor Pass (7000′ – 8300′). Mark’s run up to Monitor Pass, reported partial to full yellow aspen leading up to the summit at 8314′ which is now 75-100% of peak.  This is a good weekend to travel over Monitor Pass to  the Antelope Valley.

50-75% — Walker Canyon (5400′ – 6000′). Aspen, Cottonwoods and Willows are turning.  Mark says lots of yellows and some oranges are starting to pop!

Photo Credit: © 2009, Mark Fesko

Snowcreek, Mammoth Lakes (10/17/09

75-100% — Mammoth Lakes.  Beautiful color surrounds the Lakes Basin at Mammoth Lakes.

75-100% — US 39 between Mammoth Lakes and Bishop.  The color is at peak.  The town of Crowley in the Eastern Sierra is ablaze in yellow, gold, orange and red.  Lower Rock Creek is now at peak and, Sarah McCahill reports, “would have been great for a mountain bike ride this past weekend.”

75-100% — Bishop.  All along US 395, yellow to auburn color is showing from the grade south of Crowley Lake to the town of Bishop.

Photo Credit: © 2009, Sarah McCahill

Yosemite Chapel & Black Oaks (stock photo)

I just spoke with Scott Gediman, PIO at Yosemite National Park, who says the sugar maple by the Yosemite Chapel is at 75% peak and should peak sometime between now and the end of the weekend, as when it goes, it happens fast.

Here’s how it stands in Yosemite National Park at present:

15-30% — Yosemite Valley Maples. As reported earlier in the week, the Yosemite Blog reports that “Bigleaf maples on talus slopes and riparian woodlands from Cascades to Happy Isles are lighting up.”

30-50% — Yosemite  Valley Black Oaks. Scott adds that Yosemite Valley’s stately black oaks are nearing 50% of peak, with their deep orange color providing beautiful contrast to California’s blue skies and revitalized waterfalls.

75-100% — Yosemite Chapel Sugar Maple. Scott says the sugar maple near the Chapel is near peak and will probably peak over the weekend.  This gorgeous red tree is not native to the Sierra, having been planted by settlers in the Valley.  Now is the time to go see it in full color, as the color won’t last long.

75-100% — Wawona. Another maple south of Forest Drive in Wawona is also turning. Some aspens and cottonwoods in the Wawona area are starting to turn.

Photo Credit: © Howardliuphoto | Dreamstime.com

Mammoth Lakes Basin (10/15/09)

30-50% Mammoth Lakes. This beautiful shot of the Mammoth Lakes Basin by Jimmy Kellett shows the mountains covered with the recent snow fall combined with fall color.  Mammoth Mountain has announced that they received so much snow (as much as six feet at upper elevations – in one day!) that they will open tomorrow for the second earliest day on record and the skiing is free!

Skiers and snowboarders will be able to ride the Broadway Express lift from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m and ski a base of 16 to 24″ of machine-groomed “natural” snow. Runs to open on Friday include: Broadway, St. Moritz, Forest Trail, Mambo and Main Park with assorted rails and jibs to entertain the skiers and boarders.  Mammoth will open additional lifts in succeeding days, as conditions permit.

What an idea!  Fall color viewing and skiing!  For those interested in heading to the east side, Mammoth offers First Tracks lift and lodging packages for as little as $99 per person based on double occupancy.  Call 800.MAMMOTH or visit wwwmammothmountain.com to book your stay.

Photo Credit: © 2009 Jimmy Kellett

Years ago when I worked in Yosemite Valley, you wouldn’t find me at my desk following a big storm.  As, that’s when the best photographs can be taken… when most people are snug and warm inside.  Ansel Adams exemplified that philosophy with his magnificent “Clearing Winter Storm, Yosemite Valley.”  Yesterday, I was supposed to be photographing Redding and the Shasta Cascade, but we scrubbed the shoot because of the storm… thinking that we wouldn’t get the best photos.  It turned out the day was beautiful.

So, today I turn to Greg Boyer’s superb blog, One Horse Studio, to see his remarkable photographs of the Eastern Sierra that he shot yesterday (of course) following a big storm.  The photos are wonderful, but the real story is in how he got them… braving a blustery day in which he was blown off his feet to get a great shot near Convict Lake.  Best of all, Greg writes (confirming what Tim Fesko reported earlier today) that good color is still to be seen in the Eastern Sierra.  From what Greg writes, I devise the following report:

30-50% June Lake Loop. Half green, half yellow and developing nicely.  If the aspen hold out long enough for the warmer days predicted next week, should be peaking within a week.

50-75% Lee Vining Canyon. Near peak, though the wind knocked a lot of leaves from the trees.  Look for the aspen to peak this weekend.

Early reports are that California Fall Color may have dodged a bullet.  Jennifer Boyd reports from South Lake Tahoe that “the storm has passed and the trees still have leaves on them, which is great considering the howling winds we had.”  Jared Smith says he’s shoveling out from a lot of snow which fell in the Eastern Sierra.  We reported last week that trees above 8,500′ had been cleared of turned leaves the week previously.  So, when yesterday’s storm blew through, there weren’t many turned leaves to clear.  Most were green to yellow-green.  Although yesterday’s storm had high winds, those leaves that had not yet turned may have had enough strength to stay held to their branches.  Photos and additional reports are expected tomorrow.

Monitor Pass (10/12/09)

When Tim Fesko of the Meadowcliff Resort and RV Park in Coleville sent this report yesterday, his photographs of Monitor Pass and Meadowcliff show the aspen and cottonwood ready to blow into full color this weekend.  Now, with gale force winds predicted to blow across Northern California today, it’s anyone’s guess how many of the leaves will survive.  Still, here’s Tim’s report as of yesterday.

Tim had been encouraged that the previous week’s snow storm ” did not seem (at his elevations) to do much damage to colors” and predicted that “the next two weeks or so should show a lot of progress in colors. Still time to get over and catch the yellows turning golden turning reddish!”

0-15% — Walker River. Most of the aspen and cottonwoods along the Walker River are still green to lime green.  Same for the town of Walker.  Although, look to the banks along the river and you’ll see beautiful yellow color, as did Sarah McCahill as captured in her photo at right.

Walker River (10/12/09)

30-50% — Walker Canyon (5400′ – 6000′). Aspen, Cottonwoods and Willows are starting to turn. Aspens and Cottonwoods are showing green to lime green to light yellow. Willows are half green and half yellow.

15-30% — Antelope Valley (5000′ – 5300′). Near Walker, Coleville and Topaz, cottonwoods are still mostly green, “with some lime green and a tad of yellow. Aspens are half green and half yellow. Elms are vibrant reddish.”

Meadowcliff Resort (10/12/09)

15-30% — Monitor Pass (7000′ – 8300′). There’s still a lot of green with some yellow emerging.

15-30% — Monitor Pass (8314′). Mostly lime-green to yellow.

Meadowcliff Resort & RV Park

As I post this, the storm is beginning to build, though the strongest predicted winds have not yet arrived.  We’ll call Tim at the end of the week to see how things have changed, while keeping our fingers crossed for Tim and the folks at Meadowcliff that they don’t lose what promises to be a colorful coming two weeks.  If you’re motoring to the east side, you can’t find a more welcoming place than the Meadowcliff Resort.  This year, Tim added a nicely designed RV Park; the resort has guest rooms, a seasonal restaurant and shop. There’s an impressive rock cliff behind the resort, great fishing at Topaz Lake and the Walker River and lots of wild country to explore.

Photography: copyright 2009, Tim Fesko

Sarah