Like a Volcano, Shasta Cascade’s Color has Blown

Cascade Theater, Redding (11/4/09) - John Poimiroo

Past Peak – Redding — Although exotic varieties are still showing yellow, orange and red beside city streets, most of the native color along the Sacramento River in Redding has blown.  Still, a great hike or bike ride is along the newly paved Sacramento River trail from Redding to Shasta Dam.  This concrete ribbon crosses Sundial Bridge and passes rapids and colorful riparian woodlands on its way to the dam.

Past Peak – Butte County — Most of the color is gone, though pockets of red maples and yellow oaks and dogwood are found in higher elevations.  Big storms predicted for this weekend should signal the end of the intense colors.

75-100% – Shasta County North Valley — Fall colors are still pretty vibrant. Brilliant reds, oranges and yellows are splashed across the valley floor.  The ornamentals are showing at about 95-100%.  Most of the trees that typically show gold/yellow have lost their leaves.

75-100% – Whiskeytown National Recreation Area — The colors around Whiskeytown have increased to about 80%, mostly yellow and some orange.   With consistent cold weather and rain coming the colors will intensify and peak quickly now.

Past Peak – Burney Falls State Park — The fall colors up in Burney have passed their peak now but beautiful winter scenery will be upon us soon.

Past Peak – Lassen Volcanic National Park — Colors are waning in the park but there are still a few pockets of yellow and orange along Hwy.36 north to Hwy 3 into Shasta County.

Past Peak – Lassen National Forest – The fall show is over but snowy Christmas scenes are right around the corner.

Past Peak – Modoc National Forest – There is snow in the higher elevations now, so fall colors are past peak, but the snowy scene provides new reason to travel there.

Past Peak – Trinity County — Some yellow and orange remains in the oaks to be seen around the Hwy 3 loop, but most of the trees in Trinity County are now past peak.

This will likely be the final fall color report from the Redding/Shasta Cascade region, which experienced one of the most lovely fall color seasons in memory.