California Fall Color

Dude, autumn happens here, too.

A lot changes in a day, as seen in these photos (left) taken of a redbud tree in El Dorado Hills that was denuded in a day.

High winds and rain have knocked color from trees (above), carpeting Northern California with wet color.

On Tuesday, we traveled up CA-99 to Chico, stopping at Chaffin Family Farms near Oroville, where another aspect of fall color was seen… the olive harvest.

75 – 100% – Sacramento Valley - Nut and fruit orchards vary from peaking to past peak.  Recent storms have stripped trees of turned leaves, though color remains to be seen throughout the valley.

75 – 100% – Chico - Cottonwood were showing 75% yellow with some lime to green in riparian areas along the Sacramento River, west of Chico.

75 – 100% – CA-99 - Cottonwood are 75% yellow with some lime to green along the Feather River, east of Gridley.

Location: Chico, Calif.
Temperature: 59 °F
Humidity: 77%
Dew point: 51.8 °F
Wind speed: 20km/hr
Wind direction: 130°
Cloud cover: broken clouds

50 – 75% – Redding – Salmon are running up the Sacramento River, attracting fly fishermen to what is rated as the world’s third best tail water.  The Fly Shop in Redding (said to be one of the world’s largest fly fishing retailers) reports that salmon, rainbow trout and steelhead fishing on Redding area waters has been the best in seven years.  This photograph captured by Charissa Gilmer below Sundial Bridge shows the colorful scene.  Redding is approaching peak with lots of beautiful color.  The nation’s second sunniest city has been burning with color the past two weeks, but will be at full peak in time for Thanksgiving Day.  Go Now!

75 – 100% – Trinity County – Trinity County has reached peak. Most of the color has matured with yellow, orange and red filling the forest.

75 – 100% – Eagle Lake – The BLM is reporting Eagle Lake at peak with red, orange, and golden leaves fluttering through the air as they decorate the forest duff.

30 – 50% – Red Bluff – The best fall color in Red Bluff is to be seen in riparian areas of the Sacramento River.  There’s a range of orange, red and yellow to be seen.  The redbud are a mix of yellow and lime.  Look for peak in two weeks.

50 – 75% – Butte County – Much of the color in Butte County has matured, particularly in Chico, where it’s been spectacular.  There is still lots of red and yellow to be seen.  Peaking will occur across the next two weeks.  One of our favorite trips is to Bidwell Park, where a lovely deciduous forest is to be enjoyed in one of the largest urban parks in America.  Travel north of Chico to Vina to visit the Abbey of New Clairvaux with its authentic 800-year-old Gothic chapter house, which is surrounded by a walnut orchard that flutters with gold and green leaves.  In Chico, watch art glass being blown at the Orient and Flume Art Glass, then tour the Sierra Nevada Brewery with lunch at their superb restaurant before returning home along Hwy 99.

Past Peak – Lassen Volcanic National Park – Snow has now closed the Main Park Road, limiting fall color viewing in the national park.  There are a few spots of fall color still left to be seen on the east side of the park in the lower elevations, but for the most part fall color in the national park is past peak.

Past Peak – Plumas County – Snow has blanketed the Northern Sierra, bringing to a close the fall color season in Plumas County.  There’s still vibrant color to be found near Oakland Camp, at Graeagle and Portola, though it’s being lost fast due to recent rain and snow.

Past Peak – Siskiyou County – Although a few trees are showing color, most are now past peak.  Oaks are umber and discarding their leaves.

Past Peak – Modoc National Forest – Only a few trees are holding bits of color.

Past Peak – Alturas – Same for Alturas.

           

Location: Redding, Calif.
Temperature: 50 °F
Humidity: 76%
Dew point: 42.8 °F
Wind speed: n/a
Wind direction: n/a
Cloud cover: n/a

A cold winter storm is passing in waves through Northern California, bringing colder temperatures, rain, snow and, most distressingly, wind.

General Update: The storm is affecting fall color in the Sierra and Gold Country, as seen in this photo at left sent from Greenville (Plumas County) by Jeff Luke Titcomb.  Trees that were full of fall color (see photo above) are now covered with snow in the Northern Sierra.  About 15% of leaves that had changed color were blown off branches, causing a colorful shower to be carried away in swirling chaos.  Still, a lot of color remains, particularly among leaves that were still short of peak.

Leaves that are still green or lime, even many that have just turned yellow, will stay hanging from branches, unless the winds blow above 15 mph.  From forecasts seen so far, it appears trees below 4,000 in elevation will be mostly spared the brunt of the storm, though those above that elevation are likely to be rain and snow damaged and – in places where wind is high, stripped from branches.

Pick of the Week is Yosemite Valley, where the color is peaking with color yet to develop on some Pacific dogwood and black oak.

Here’s the latest roundup:

High Sierra

75 – 100% – Bishop, Crowley Lake, Lower Rock Creek, June  Lake, Walker River –  Specific locations in these areas of the Eastern Sierra are still showing beautiful color, though the entire Eastern Sierra is now approaching Past Peak.  With snow falling at higher elevations, this is likely the last week to see color in the Eastern Sierra.

Past Peak – Bishop Creek, McGee Creek, Convict Lake, Lee Vining Canyon, Lundy Canyon, Virginia Lakes, Twin Lakes, Sonora Pass, Monitor Pass and Mammoth Lakes - While leaf peeping has ended at these locations, Mammoth Mountain opened for skiing and boarding!  Winter has officially arrived at Mammoth Lakes.

75 – 100% – Yosemite Valley – Photographer Michael Frye reports today that color has multiplied in the past week and Yosemite Valley is peaking now, with still some green leaves to show.  He predicts the combination of a light dusting of snow with the fall color should make for spectacular photography this weekend, if the leaves survive the cold and possible wind.  “The oaks seem to be particularly nice this year,” he reports. Go Now!

Central Valley

75 – 100% – Sacramento – The urban forest of Sacramento has shown spectacular fall color the past week and still has many landmark trees showing yellow and red.  A storm passing over Sacramento will strip leaves from many of the trees that peaked first, but lots of color can be enjoyed between breaks in the storm.

North Coast

75 – 100% – Redwood National Park – Grant Roden reports spots of yellow and red appearing on bigleaf maple and red alders, contrasting with the deep green of the coastal redwoods.  In support, on our Facebook page Richard Stenger posts a photo of bigleaf maple surrounded by redwoods, taken at Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park.

Shasta Cascade

75 – 100% – Siskiyou County – Trees in the lower elevations are hitting their peak or are already beyond it. Cooler temperatures are expected to hit in the next few days so the leaves are expected to fall soon. Most leaves have hit bright colors of yellows and reds.

Modoc County

Past Peak – Modoc National Forest- Most of the trees are past their peaks. There may be a few left with some color, but have started to lose their leaves.

Past Peak – Alturas – Trees in this area are at their peak. Not too many leaves left on the trees.

Lassen County

75 – 100% – BLM Eagle Lake – The area of Eagle Lake in Lassen County is reporting trees at their peak! The trees are beautiful with red, orange, and golden leaves. Few are starting to fall!

Shasta County

75 – 100% – Whiskeytown National Recreation Area – The Whiskeytown NRA is at peak with lots of yellow and orange and some red near the visitor’s center.   Near Whiskeytown Falls, the bigleaf maple are brilliant yellow against green conifers.

50 – 75% – Redding – The color is most evident near the Sacramento River where bigleaf maple peaking.  In residential areas, look for brilliant shades of red, orange, yellow, and green. Oak trees are providing a show of yellow along winding roads in the green belt. Placer Road is like a dream where brightly colored trees surround a small pond. The sun shines through the trees like a stain glass window off La Paloma Way.

75 – 100% – Trinity County – Trinity County has reached its peak. Most of the trees are at full color, mostly yellow and oranges. Leaves have started to drop!

Tehama County

75% – 100% –  Lassen Volcanic National Park – Manzanita Lake is at 50-75%, with aspen still holding their golden color and Maples turning red.  Pacific dogwoods are turning red.  The main park road is now closed due to snow.  At the southwest entrance near Mineral, there is lots of yellow, still.

30 – 50% – Red Bluff- Red Bluff is showing its varied fall color with orange, red and yellow among native and exotic foliage.  Red Bluff should peak near Thanksgiving Day.

50 – 75% – Butte County – Much of Butte County is approaching peak color with lots of red and yellow. Trees will be hitting their peaks in the next few weeks, especially at Bidwell Park in the City of Trees.

75 – 100% – Plumas County – Look for gold and red colored oaks near Indian Valley and lots of cottonwood still holding their orange-yellow, though today’s winds may reduce the number of leaves on branches.  Until today, the weather has been sunny, but rain and snow should change leaf peeping prospects, shortly.

 

Location: Quincy, Calif.
Temperature: 30.2 °F
Humidity: 92%
Dew point: 28.4 °F
Wind speed: 15km/hr
Wind direction: 170°
Cloud cover: few clouds

75 – 100% – Indian Valley - Color spotter Jeff Luke Titcomb reports the Indian Valley, southeast of Lake Almanor is “at peak color right now.”

This scenic mountain meadow was so named in 1851 for the large number of native Maidu people living there.  Greenville is the largest town in the valley.  Other communities include Taylorsville, Crescent Mills and Canyon Dam.

The valley is considered to be one of the best places in Plumas County for a scenic drive, due to its being surrounded by mountains, its tree-lined meadow and ranches, old barns and grazing cattle.

 

75 – 100% – Taylorsville - Richard McCutcheon sends these snaps of cottonwood along Indian Creek in Taylorsville (Indian Valley, Plumas County, Northern Sierra).

This is likely the last weekend to see such brilliant color, so if you can get away… go now!

CLICK HERE to link to Richard’s blog and more photos.

 

Color spotter Charissa Gilmer of the City of Redding sends these photos of fall color, intensified by the overcast of recent rain clouds.

Shasta County

50 – 75% – Redding - This capital city of northeastern California is also the second-sunniest city in the nation, providing for ideal conditions (warm clear days and cold nights) to intensify color.

Within the City of Redding, a variety of color is now being seen, from various types of maple trees now showing a palette of lime, yellow, orange, scarlet and purple. Sycamores and Eastern Redbuds are displaying bright yellow leaves along the Sacramento River Trail.  Photinia throughout town are changing to deep red. The colorful Strawberry Tree displays green leaves and bright red, orange, and yellow fruit.  And, stunning fuschia stems of Dogwood stand out along the Sacramento River.  This color should develop over the next two weeks, though many species are peaking now.

Although it is embraced by the Cascade Range, Sierra Nevada and Coastal Range, Redding  has a Mediterranean climate that allows for a remarkable blend of native and exotic flora.  City streets show this diversity, as does the McConnell Arboretum and Gardens on the north side of Sundial Bridge, which features plantings from all five of the world’s Mediterranean climates.

Because Redding has climates varying from the northern central valley to three, very different mountain ecosystems, an array of color develops within short distances of Redding, making it an attractive base for leaf peeping excursions.  To plan a trip, go to VisitRedding.com

50 – 75% – Siskiyou County – Color change has been slow for Siskiyou County. Trees in the lower elevations are at their peak, while those at higher elevations are past peak.  Look for red dogwoods, yellow bigleaf maples and umber oaks.  Fun!   First time anyone’s reported “umber”.

Elsewhere in the Shasta Cascade, color spotter Grace Smith reports:

Shasta County

75 – 100% – Whiskeytown National Recreation Area – The national park is reporting lots of yellow in the forest, with some reds near the visitor’s center. Trees near Whiskeytown Falls are showing brilliant yellow against greens.  Recent rains are causing trees to lose leaves, so give it a week more before past peak.

50 – 75% – Trinity County – Most of the deciduous trees near Trinity Lake, Trinity Center and throughout the county are showing yellow with some orange!   Some stands are approaching past peak, with leaves falling due to recent rain.

Modoc County

75 – 100% – Modoc National Forest – Cedar’s Pass is still showing yellows, orange, and red on aspen.  All other areas of the forest are past peak.

Past Peak – Alturas - Not many leaves are left to be seen.

Lassen County

75 – 100% – BLM Eagle Lake – The BLM is reporting the trees around Eagle Lake to be at peak and beautiful, with aspens busy changing to gold, orange and red.

Tehama County

75 – 100% – Lassen Volcanic National Park – Manzanita Lake is at full peak, with aspen golden and maples starting to turn red. Cottonwood trees near Hat Creek standout with bright yellow-orange. Dogwoods have started to change pink to red. Again, this past week’s rains have felled leaves, though the color that remains is gorgeous.

30 – 50% – Red Bluff – Catalpa trees in town are turning with their dark green leaves now brightening and showing yellow. The Redbuds  are beginning to show a golden color. Expect Redbluff to peak in three weeks.

Butte County

30 – 50% – Butte County – Slightly higher than Red Bluff, Chico has experienced quite a bit of color change, with lots of reds, yellows, and a lot more orange. Maples are starting to turn while the ashes have a purple tint to them! Trees will be hitting their peaks in the next two weeks, especially at Bidwell Park in the City of Trees!

75 – 100% – Plumas County – The show moves down in elevation to 6,000’ along Hwy 70, which is populated with lively fall colors from red and gold to yellow.  Traveling south on Hwy 89 towards Graeagle, cottonwood and aspens remain bright along the Feather River.  The past week’s rain is predicted to turn to sunny weather over the weekend, a final weekend to see the color in Plumas County before it’s past

Location: Redding, Calif.
Temperature: 64.4 °F
Humidity: 56%
Dew point: 50 °F
Wind speed: n/a
Wind direction: n/a
Cloud cover: n/a

Shasta Cascade color spotter Brittini McGuire provides this roundup of color from far northeastern California.  An early winter storm that rolled through Northern California this past week has not diminished the color to be seen across the Shasta Cascade, as most of the trees are still approaching peak, though some previously turned leaves were blown off branches.  Areas of the Shasta Cascade – other than Sacramento Valley cities – are near peak.  Here’s the latest:

50 – 75% – Siskiyou County – The change has been slow but with the colder nights are finally contributing to sugaring. The forest is full of yellow with some red.

Modoc County:

50 – 75% – Modoc National Forest – Modoc NF is experiencing bright fall colors with mostly yellow and orange, with some red. Many trees have begun to lose their leaves.

50 – 75% – Alturas – Approaching peak with lots of yellow, green, oranges and some red.

Lassen County

50 – 75% – Eagle Lake – The BLM is reporting Eagle Lake as “A sight to see,” with cooler weather having accelerated the color change.  Aspen have been busy changing to gold, orange and red.

Shasta County

50 – 75% – Whiskeytown National Recreation Area - Trees at lower elevations around the lake are at about 50% of change.  The oaks, brush, and smaller trees are all showing great color change with bright lime and yellow.  Trees on the mountain are now about 60% color change.

50 – 75% – Redding – This city is a convenient base from which to explore the color to be seen in upstate California.  It also has beautiful color, particularly near Sundial Bridge, along the Sacramento River Trail and in residential areas south of City Hall.  Lots of yellow, orange and red can be seen among both native and exotic trees.  Visit the McConnell Arboretum and Gardens on the north side of Sundial Bridge for a display of varied species.

Trinity County

50 – 75% – Trinity County – Most deciduous species in Trinity County have turned yellow and red colors.

Tehama County

Past Peak – Lassen Volcanic National Park – The main park road through Lassen Volcanic National Park is now covered with snow, due to early storms that arrived this week.

50 – 75% – Manzanita Lake – Color spotters near this scenic lake at the northwest entrance to Lassen Volcanic National Park are reporting aspen and willows surrounding the lake having turned yellow, with maples turning red.  Black cottonwoods near Hat Creek standout with bright gold.

30 – 50% – Red Bluff – Catalpa trees are turning from bright green to yellow. The Redbuds are showing their golden tone.

30 – 50% – Butte County – Chico is known as both the City of Roses and the City of Trees.  In autumn, the city is flush with color from a variety of big elms, black oaks, alders, gingkos, hornbeams, birch and maples.  Look for lots of red and yellow, though still plenty of green this week.  Peak will occur in the coming two weeks, should storms diminish.

75 – 100% – Plumas County – Plumas County has been at full peak, particularly in the highest areas of the Sierra for the past two weeks.  Indian rhubarb, aspen and bigleaf maples are in their glory, though brown is beginning to join these colors.  The cottonwood and aspen in the Graeagle-Quincy area are gorgeous.  Despite being at peak, most trees have not yet turned, so there’s still a week or two left of fall color in this beautiful corner of California.

Location: Redding, Calif.
Temperature: 53.6 °F
Humidity: 52%
Dew point: 35.6 °F
Wind speed: 4km/hr
Wind direction: 330°
Cloud cover: n/a

Here’s the latest from the Shasta Cascade, as reported by color spotters Grace Smith and Amanda Sweeny.  Areas peaking in the Shasta Cascade and Northern Sierra include Lassen Volcanic National Park and drainage areas of Plumas County.

CLICK HERE to see photos of Lassen Volcanic’s fall color.

Shasta Cascade

30 – 50% – Siskiyou County – There has been very little change with the colors in the past week.  Colder nighttime temps are contributing to some sugaring, with lime, yellow and some red.

15 – 30% – Modoc County – The Modoc National Forest is reporting lots of yellow, some orange and red.  Alturas is experiencing quite a bit of change with lots of yellows, greens and oranges.

Lassen County

30 – 50% – BLM Eagle Lake / Bizz Johnson Trail & Lassen National Forest – The aspen have been busy, changing to lime green, yellow, orange, red and gold.

Shasta County

15 – 30% – Whiskeytown NRA – About 25% trees have turned red, yellow and brown near the visitor’s center. Trees on the mountain are still filled with bright green and yellow.

0 – 15% - Redding – So far, very little color is apparent in Redding with yellow and bright green predominating.

30 – 50% – Trinity County – Approaching half of the bigleaf maple are now showing yellow, there’s still a lot of lime

Tehama County

Lassen Volcanic National Park – Ranger Amanda Sweeny reports:

75 – 100% – Manzanita Lake - The alder, cottonwood and occasional aspen are at peak color.

50 – 75’% – Devastated Area / Hat Creek – The cottonwood are near
peak color and the aspen are still slowly turning

75 – 100% – Southwest area – The rusty orange mat of Mules Ear is dotted with
late blooming rabbit brush.

0 – 15% - Red Bluff- Experiencing ittle no to change just yet.

0 – 15% – Butte County –  Starting to show yellow and red.

75 – 100% – Plumas County – Indian Rhubarb (drainages) and aspen are now at peak.  The dogwoods are starting to show their bright pinks and greens. Oakland Camp area is bursting with color while their oaks are starting to turn.

Location: Redding, CA
Temperature: 87.8 °F
Humidity: 16%
Dew point: 35.6 °F
Wind speed: 7km/hr
Wind direction: 160°
Cloud cover: n/a

EASTERN SIERRA

A dusting of snow in the Eastern Sierra and wind this week has changed the pattern of warm days, so far this autumn.  Here’s the latest.

Mono County

At 9 a.m. this morning, it began snowing lightly at the Virginia Lakes.  This and a light storm that passed through this week have changed the situation, there.

Carolyn Webb, our color spotter from the Virginia Lakes Resort reports that this week’s breezes stripped leaves from aspen above 8,300′ at the Virginia Lakes in the Eastern Sierra.  Virginia Lakes is one of the first areas to show color, so it’s not surprising that even a light storm, as occurred yesterday would affect the color.  Carolyn reported she closed the Virginia Lakes Resort for winter at 5 p.m, yesterday.   So, if you head up there, the lodge will be shuttered.

Carolyn recommends visiting Conway Summit (8138′) where, “…the aspens are almost in full color and if the wind does not come up they will hold for a couple days.  Southbound on the west side they are yellow to dark lime with a few turning rust and a magnificent grove.  The north side is simply beautiful and should peak in a day or so.  Driving down 395 toward Lee Vining, in protected groves they are in brilliant yellow to light green as you travel farther south they are brilliant alongside the west slope of the range.” (see additional update, below)

An early dusting of snow does not mean fall has ended.  We’ve seen early snows that have only added to the spectacular nature of color, by combining snow with fall color.  Also, at this time of year, the change can vacilate from warm sunny days to chill overcast ones.  The important measure is whether the days are mostly warm and the nights mostly cold, for the development of the best color.  Certainly, so far this autumn, the color has been exceptional in the Eastern Sierra, and there’s a lot of green yet to turn below 8,500′.  So, don’t cancel any plans you made to travel there, but stay tuned for reports on this site.

Past Peak – Virginia Lakes (above 8,300′) - Wind has stripped areas in Virginia Lakes Canyon.

75 – 100% – Conway Summit (8,138′) - Areas of beautiful color remain, with a range of color from lime to brilliant yellow, to orange to rust.  Color spotter Carolyn Webb reports (10/13/12), “Yellows and limes are slowly turning into dark gold and rust in the more protected areas, like the south end of Conway Summit which is down the draw, south of my house.  The north of my house, which is what most people like to photograph, has not fully hit its prime, but should be going in the next day, based on night temps.”

50 – 75% – Mammoth Lakes - The lakes basin is approaching peak, as is the Mammoth Scenic Loop.

50 – 75% – June Lakes - The June Lakes basin is approaching peak, with still a lot of lime in the aspen.  This week and next should be spectacular.  Sunset magazine just ranked June Lake as among the top five places to see fall color.  We don’t disagree, but then we’d place all five in California.

75 – 100% – Monitor Pass - Now peaking.  For those in Northern California, the most scenic route is to take Hwy 88 east to Hwy 89, then south through Markleeville and over Monitor Pass to US 395.

Past Peak – Rock Creek -  While there are areas of color up Rock Creek at lower elevations, the upper end of Rock Creek Canyon is past peak.

McGee Creek – 75 – 100% - At peak.

Convict Lake – 75 – 100% - Convict Lake is peaking this week, with color intensifying as you hike along the canyon trail.

Lundy Canyon – 75 – 100% - At peak.

Walker River Area – 75 – 100% - Aspen and cottonwood along the Walker River area are providing spots of color.

75 – 100% – Sonora Pass – Good locations to see color are from the west near Chipmunk Flat and between 8,500’ and 9,000’  on the east side, there’s still good color from the Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center to the foot of the eastern side of the pass, though the past dry winter has had its effect.  Many trees turned early in this stretch or lost leaves.

Alpine County

Past Peak – Hope Valley – Half the aspen in the Hope Valley (Hwy 88 and Hwy 89) have dropped their leaves.  A local color spotter said this has been an unusual year for the Hope Valley with an early change that’s peaked quickly.

Inyo County, Bishop Creek Canyon – Go Now!

Overall Conditions above 8,500’ – Color spotter Jared Smith of Parcher’s Resort reports that peak color has come and gone in some areas, especially in the highest reaches of the canyon, while some areas are at peak right now. It is safe to say that conditions were better late last week but there are still quite a few areas that are worth a stop. A dusting of snow Wednesday night and into Thursday morning added to the scenic opportunities in the canyon. Some trees are starting to lose their leaves but there is plenty of color left to be captured.

Overall Conditions below 8,500’ – There is a lot of color between the 7900ft mark and the 8500ft mark with many of these areas peaking or near peak. Hopefully the cold snap and the few inches of snow we received won’t negatively affect the color developing in this area of the canyon. Both the middle and south forks of Bishop Creek are really looking good in this elevation range.

75 – 100% – Table Mountain Camp (8,900’) – Still some color to be seen here however many of the aspen in this grove have given up their color until next year. Certainly some good shots are available though, like the one pictured here.

75 – 100% – Surveyors Meadow (8,975’) – While the aspen along the creek and on the west side of the road have already peaked and many of the aspen have lost their leaves, the east side of the road still looks beautiful.

75 – 100% – Willow Campground (9,100’) – The willows are fading and some of the aspen along the road near the Tyee bridge are looking a bit naked but there are some great areas of color in this area, especially for those walking into the campground or taking photos from near the road looking west. The bright yellows and oranges can be beautifully captured with the stark granite background of the hillside. The whole west side of the road between Willow Campground and Parchers Resort is brilliant.

75 – 100% – Lake Sabrina (9,150’) – Lake Sabrina proper is past peak now but the aspen just below the dam around the bridge and pond are still absolutely stunning – this is still a can’t-miss in the canyon right now.

75-100% – North Lake (9,255’) – North Lake has peaked however there are still some good shots to be had for the photographer with skill. The best views in this area are actually along the creek near the North Lake turnoff or looking up canyon from the road on your way down from North Lake.

75 – 100% – South Lake Rd above Mt. Glen Camp (8,600’) – Mostly past peak but still a lot of nice creek shots with some yellow, orange and a little red to be found.

75 – 100% – Mountain Glen Campground (8,400’) – Although closed to vehicle traffic, there are some spectacular shots of brilliant color available in and above this little creekside camp. Ample turnouts along the road provide some great shots too without too much work.

75 – 100% – Mist Falls and the groves above Bishop Creek Lodge (8,350’) – Some of the aspen have peaked here but there is still plenty of bright yellow and lime green spicing up the scenery. The groves just above the waterfall are really starting to pop.

75 – 100% – Groves above Cardinal Village & Aspendell (8,550’) – One of the most spectacular views in the canyon is from the road just above Aspendell looking south towards the crest, the middle fork Bishop creek and the gorgeous groves of aspen snaking their way up canyon in full fall color.

50 – 75% – Intake II, Big Trees Camp, Four Jeffries Camp (8,000’ – 8,300’) – Color has is developing in an uneven fashion at present making for some interesting photographic opportunities in these areas. Some stands of aspen are in full color while others only a few yards away appear to still be hanging on to summer. There is very cool grove on the far side of Intake II that is showing very bright orange and red hues.

All Photographs Copyright 2012 by Jared Smith, www.SmithSierraPhotography.com or courtesy of fall color contributor Krisdina Karady.

 

SHASTA CASCADE

Lassen Volcanic National Park – Go Now!

Ranger Amanda Sweeney reports Lassen Volcanic NP is approaching peak with orange and yellow ground covers dressing the hillsides near Kohm Yah-mah-nee, the Southwest Visitor Center and gold, lime and yellow to be seen along the Main Park Road to Manzanita Lake, where orange and gold are prominent.

75 – 100% – Southwest Area - The rusty orange mat of Mules Ear is dotted with late-blooming yellow and sage rabbitbrush.

50 – 75% – Devastated Area / Hat Creek - The cottonwood are getting near peak color (gold) and the aspen are still slowly turning (lime to yellow).

75 – 100% – Manzanita Lake -The alder (orange), cottonwood (gold) and occasional aspen (yellow)  are at peak color.

Tehama County

0 – 15% – Red Bluff- Experiencing 10% little no to changes

Plumas County

30 – 50% – Plumas County - Color spotter Karen Moritz says Plumas County is approaching 50% of change.  She provides photos taken along Mill Creek near Quincy of riparian foliage showing nice reds and oranges.

Karen recommends visiting Q-topia, produced by blogger Charley Arrowsmith for a most fascinating look at Quincy’s famous Thieler Sugar Maple.  Day by day photos show its change from full summer green in late September to red in October.  CLICK HERE to see Judge Thieler’s eastern sugar maple change color.  If you click on previous years, you’ll be able to see the sugar maple’s annual change of color.  Better yet, head to the Shasta Cascade for a first-hand look.

Riparian areas are coloring nicely, particularly among the Indian Rhubarb, with its big orangy-red trimmed leaves, to Mountain Ash, Sorbus californica, of the rose family with its pinnately compound leaf and red berries.  These were seen at the Mill Creek inlet to Bucks Lake.

Joe Willis of Black Oak Naturalist (see blog at left) says mountain ash are found “generally at higher elevations, like 6,000′ an’ up, but we have a beautiful, large cultivated one on our courthouse lawn (Quincy) at 3,500′.”

Look for Plumas County’s abundant yellow bigleaf maple and evergreens to provide nice contrast in coming weeks.

Willis posted today, to our delight, that a jelly donut must have been dropped among the oaks near Papa’s Donuts in Quincy, indicating that the two young oaks are sugaring up beautifully.  From the colorful photo on Joe’s site, they look like exotic red oaks, though Joe is the best to say what variety they might be.

Aspen in Plumas County starting to change a yellow color and are at about 65% change! The area of Taylorsville is at about 35% with beautiful yellows and reds.  Silver Maples near Quincy are starting to change colors with a 20% change.

15 – 30% – Siskiyou County: Color spotter Grace Smith of the Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association reports there has been very little change with the colors in Siskiyou. With a 30% color change it’s been slow but with the colder air, brighter colors are on their way. The forest is highlighting a lot of limes, yellows and some red in maples. There will be more fall colors higher in elevation.

15 – 30% – Modoc County: Modoc is experiencing bright fall colors in their National Forest! They have reported bright reds, oranges, and yellows everywhere! The Alturas area is experiencing cooler nights with some difference in the leaves. They are showing a shift to the bright yellows and oranges.

Lassen County

15 – 30% – BLM Eagle Lake / Bizz Johnson Trail & Lassen National Forest- 30%, Aspens have begun changing to yellows, and few oranges and reds. The trees are just starting to change, but there should be more change in the next few weeks.

Shasta County

15 – 30% – Whiskeytown NRA is noticing about 25% Elms turning to bright yellows and oranges around the visitors center. Trees on the mountain are still filled with bright greens and yellows.

15 – 30% – Shasta Lake is experiencing slow changes also around 15%. Some yellows are starting to appear, but with little rain they are very dry.

30 – 50% – Trinity County – Color has been changing 40% to limes and yellows. Bright reds are also starting to develop, but the season is still early.

0 – 15% – Butte County – Experiencing 10%, slow changes expected through the middle of October but so far their leaves are mainly made of lime greens and yellows.  

NORTH COAST

0 – 15% – Redwood National Park - Color is appearing in the foliage around Elk Meadow, where Roosevelt elk have gathered for the annual rut.

 

Location: Mammoth / June Lakes
Temperature: 39.2 °F
Humidity: 51%
Dew point: 23 °F
Wind speed: 3km/hr
Wind direction: 360°
Cloud cover: broken clouds

Indian Rhubarb always provides early ruby to leaf peeping in the Shasta Cascade Wonderland (northeastern California).  Color spotters Jeff Titcomb and Mike Nellor provide these photos of bright colors seen this week in the Shasta Cascade.

30 – 50% – Siskiyou County – Siskiyou is seeing change, though extended warm nights have slowed its progression. The forest is highlighted with lime, yellow and some red among the maples.

30 – 50% – Modoc County – Modoc National Forest and Alturas area are reporting a shift to the bright yellow and orange.

 

Lassen County

30 – 50% – BLM Eagle Lake / Bizz Johnson Trail & Lassen National Forest – Aspen have begun to change to yellow, with a few oranges and reds. The change has been sudden,  perhaps due to the extended, dry summer.

Shasta County

15 – 30% – Whiskeytown NRA – Elms turning to bright yellows and oranges around the visitors center.

15 – 30% – Shasta Lake – Slight change is occurring in the forest.

Trinity County

15 – 30% – Coffee Creek – Lime and yellow are beginning to appear.

 

Tehama County

30 – 50% – Lassen Volcanic National Park – Tmost of the change is occurring above 8,500 on the northside of the national park.  Look for color showing first among riparian areas (willows) and aspen groves.  The southern area of the park has not yet experienced much change.

0 – 15% – Red Bluff -  The Central Valley has not yet shown much color.

0 – 15% – Butte County – A little lime and yellow is showing, though the best color is expected in mid October.

 

15 – 30% – Plumas National Forest -  Native locust trees and bigleaf maples are showing yellow, dogwoods are turning rose to red. At higher elevations, the color is more intense. Spanish Creek is a riot of ruby, yellow and lime Indian rhubarb.

Location: Redding, CA
Temperature: 71.6 °F
Humidity: 41%
Dew point: 46.4 °F
Wind speed: n/a
Wind direction: n/a
Cloud cover: n/a