Plumas Experiences Extended Peak

Northern Sierra backcountry color spotter Richard McCutcheon says, “It is funny how the trees are turning.  Some have peaked, some are half turned and still half green, some are still green and some are all blown off to the ground, so you are going to find some very pretty areas yet when you hit the right spot.”

Suzi Brakken agrees, saying, “It’s been a unusual year, with different species showing up at different times. We expect the color in North County to continue gradually changing into early November.”

75 – 100% – Plumas County – Suzi writes that her county is experiencing an extended peak, with dogwoods, aspens and oak (finally) kicking into color. The best spots include the Bucks Lake Road and U.S. Forest Service roads that lead from it, the La Porte Road and the Indian Valley area, Hwy. 89 between Quincy and Chester. For aspen, the best spots now are in the Sierra Valley, which include the Genesee Beckwourth Road and roads to Lake Davis and Frenchman Lake.  Also, Lassen Volcanic National Park is reporting aspen are looking good there.

50 – 75% – Feather River Canyon – Hwy. 70 from Oroville to Quincy, is coming in last with Indian Rhubarb and dogwood still only approaching 75 percent. Most of the cottonwoods along the Middle Fork Feather in Graeagle and Portola are past peak with bigleaf maple also somewhat past peak.   Non-native silver maples in Plumas county towns are looking great, but will be past peak by next week.