Now Peaking Above 8,500 ft

Areas between the 8,000 and 8,500 ft are now turning, according to a report just received from color spotter Jared Smith of the Parcher’s Resort in the Bishop Creek Canyon.

Jared predicts the color should be popping by week’s end if not already, as areas above 8,500 ft. are now at or are just past peak color.

The cold front that came through Wednesday and Thursday and gave this area about 12″ of snow that made for some incredible contrasts between the bright aspen leaves and granite peaks.

While the cold temps did burn some of the aspen, there is still tons of color in the canyon and with as much green as there still is, there should be plenty of photo opportunities available for the coming week or two, as the long term forecast is quite favorable.

Wier Pond (10/7/2011) © 2011 Jared Smith

Past Peak – Weir Pond (9,592 ft) – But still gorgeous!  There is still some color along the edges of the pond but the cold front did many of the already yellow aspen a red/brown hue. The grove on the mountain to the west of the pond still has a lot of green so look for the Weir to make a bit of a revival as those greens turn to yellow in the coming week.

North Lake Road (10/7/2011) © 2011 Jared Smith

Past Peak – Parchers Camp (9,260 ft) – The leaves at the camp are still yellow but much of the surrounding hills are now past peak color. Still some excellent shots to be had but the color was definitely a bit dulled by the cold snap.

North Lake Road (10/7/2011) © 2011 Jared Smith

North Lake Road (10/7/2011) © 2011 Jared Smith

75-100% or Past Peak- North Lake (9,255 ft) –  Troublesome North Lake has not fit a clear definition so far this autumn and this week is no different.  Some areas are now past peak while others are peaking. Not much green left though so the best North Lake shots remaining must be had over the next 3 to 4 days.

Lake Sabrina (10/6/2011) © 2011 Jared Smith

Past Peak – Lake Sabrina (9,150 ft) –  Easy come, easy go. Not a lot of longevity for the color at one of the most popular spots in the canyon. There is still a lot of color developing on the hills above the lake but the brightest groves on the east shore are losing their color pretty fast post coldfront.

Lake Sabrina (10/6/2011) © 2011 Jared Smith

75 – 100% Peak Color – Lake Sabrina Approach (9,100 ft) – The aspen winding along the road are simply stunning.

Lake Sabrina (10/7/2011) © 2011 Jared Smith

Past Peak – Sabrina Camp Groves (9,000 ft) – This grove is an early bloomer, so it should be no surprise that the best has come and gone for this spot.

75-100% Peak Color – Surveyor’s Meadow – Gorgeous contrast between the bright yellows, oranges and lime greens at this spot right now. Its as good as it will get right now. Time will tell if the cold snap did any damage but it’s looking very nice at present.

0-15% – Aspendell (8,500 ft) – Lime green is now showing – look for this spot to pop soon.

Past Peak – Cardinal Mine Grove (8,700 ft) – Still amazing!.  It really is hard to beat the view of the aspens aglow with the peaks of Sabrina Basin in the background. This grove definitely has some bare trees but lots of color still hanging around.

Surveyor's Meadow (10/6/2011) © 2011 Jared Smith

75-100% Peak Color – Table Mountain Campground (8,900 ft) –  Gorgeous views of this grove off of South Lake Road at present. A great mix of brown, orange, yellow and lime green make for some great photo op’s.

Cardinal Mine Grove (10/7/2011) © 2011 Jared Smith

30-50% – Mountain Glen Campground –  These trees are turning somewhat slowly but I would expect that to change over the course of the week.

Table Mountain (10/6/2011) © 2011 Jared Smith

30-50% – The Famous Mist Falls on South Fork Bishop Creek – A bit of yellow and lots of lime green is developing.  Things are moving along nicely, finally!

15-30% – Four Jeffrey Camp Groves – Good to see some yellow and orange developing above Four Jeffrey campground.  This should provide for some awesome color in coming weeks.

Mist Falls (10/7/2011) © 2011 Jared Smith

Past Peak – Willow Camp & Tyee Trailhead (9.065 ft) – Great color to be seen but the cold air tends to settle in this area, so it looks to be the most affected by the cold snap.

Willow Camp (10/7/2011) © 2011 Jared Smith

75-100% Peak Color to Past Peak – South Lake (9,768 ft) – Some groves are vibrant, some have browned.  Excellent photo op’s either way with the snow-covered peaks.

Fields of Gold in the Hope Valley

Sorenson’s Resort in the Hope Valley posted this video recently.  It shows the intense color to be seen in weeks to come in the Sierra.  With the snow behind us, scenes like this will be playing out this weekend in the Eastern Sierra along U.S. 395.

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Early Snow Doesn’t Disappoint

Yellow Edged Aspen at Convict Lake (10/6/2011) © 2011 Jennifer Heintzelman

For those concerned how the current winter storm is affecting the fall color, set aside your concerns.

These photos from color spotter Jennifer Heintzelman of the Convict Lake Report show that the aspen at Convict Lake are still green with an edging of yellow.  That means, few of them were knocked from the trees and with warmer autumn weather returning, they should turn color in coming weeks.

Convict Lake 10/6/2011 © 2011 Jennifer Heintzelman

15-30% Convict Lake  (7,850 ft.) — It’s pretty dark out now, Jennifer Heintzelman reports, though that hasn’t darkened the outlook for beautiful fall color at Convict Lake.  For those planning to head up, the lodge has, however, changed its  lodging specials and plans to close the restaurant due to exposure received on the front page of the L.A. Times Travel Section.

Colorful Aspen in Rock Creek Canyon (10/6/2011) © 2011Alicia Vennos

From Oct. 23-Nov. 15, Sunday – Thursday, Starting at $229+tax , two-night stay for two in a standard cabin, including use of a full day boat with motor.

Rock Creek Lake as storm clears (10/6/2011) © 2011 Alicia Vennos

The Convict Lake marina will remain open until November 15th and the Restaurant at Convict Lake until November 13th.

Here’s a rundown on Convict Lake fishing contests… what a great idea… combining Fishing and Fall Color!:

30-50% – Rock Creek Canyon – Gorgeous red and orange aspen, seen in photos taken by color spotter Alicia Vennos lit up a snow-covered Rock Creek Canyon today.  Expect the colors to be glorious this weekend with snow on peaks and the snow melted to reveal the color.

0-15% – Antelope Valley, Eastern Sierra (5,141 ft.) — Color spotter Tim Fesko from the Meadowcliff Resort reports the cold storm that has crossed Northern California “does not seem to have caused too much problems below the snow line.”  Tim was unable to get color percentage readings above 8,000 ft. as highways 108, 89 and 4 are not accessible due to snow.

0-15% – Yosemite Valley (4,000 ft.) — Color spotter Kevin Shelton of the Yosemite View Lodge in El Portal reports that the fall color is appearing about a week to two weeks behind normal with very little color yet showing in Yosemite Valley or the Merced River Canyon.

Virginia Lakes Approaching Peak

Mono County color spotter Alicia Vennos stopped by the Virginia Lakes Resort yesterday, raved about the apple pie, and sends this report… it’s approaching peak near the Virginia Lakes.  This area should be spectacular this weekend.

Virginia Lakes Road (10/4/2011) © 2011 Alicia Vennos

30 – 50% – Virginia Lakes Road – Colors are approaching peak along the lower part of Virginia Lakes Rd. at the top of Conway Summit off US 395 between Bridgeport and Lee Vining.

Virginia Lakes Road (10/4/2011) © 2011 Alicia Vennos

Past Peak – Beyond the Virginia Lakes Resort, the aspen are now largely done.  Winds have knocked off turned leaves.

Conway Summit - Storm Approaching (10/4/2011) © 2011 Alicia Vennos

50 – 75% – Road 139 and Dunderberg Rd. both offer great views of brilliant aspen groves right now.

Virginia Lakes Road (10/4/2011) © 2011 Alicia Vennos

50 – 75% – Conway Summit – Views of US 395 and Conway Summit of the higher alpine to the east will have you stopping at every pull-out.

Approaching Storm - Virginia Lakes Road (10/4/2011) © 2011 Alicia Vennos

0 – 15% – US 395 Approaching Conway Summit – The lower elevations on both sides of the pass leading to the summit have yet to turn.

Alicia is predicting that last night’s and today’s cold temperatures and precipitation may trigger color in areas that are still yellow-green, including Lower Rock Creek, Convict Lake, McGee Creek, Mammoth Lakes, June Lake Loop, Lundy, lower Conway Summit, Bridgeport and the Walker areas, as the days are sunny and warm… ideal conditions (other than the rain) for a colorful show.  Sunny skies and warm days are expected to return quickly after the storm, treating us to what should be a beautiful snow-capped fall weekend with intense color in the lower canyons (7,000 to 8,000 ft).

Return of the Monarchs

Monarch Butterflies, Santa Cruz (1/15/2006) © 2006 John Poimiroo

A tradition of California Fall Color has been to report all things autumn and colorful, including the annual return of the Monarch Butterflies to the Central Coast.

In keeping with that tradition, Natural Bridges State Beach will welcome back the Monarchs officially, on Sunday, October 9, from 10am to 4pm.  This annual event marks the homecoming of the brilliantly-colored orange and black monarchs with guided tours of the monarch grove, live music by the 5-M’s band (Mostly Mediocre Musical Monarch Mariposas), educational displays and guest lecturers that will reveal the mystery of monarch migration and more. Children can participate in monarch butterfly themed active-learning games and crafts, and everyone is invited to dress up for the butterfly-themed parade.

The park’s Monarch Grove provides a seasonal home for monarch butterflies each winter. From mid-October until early February, they form a “city in the trees.” The areas mild ocean air and protected eucalyptus grove provide a safe roost until spring. In spring and summer, the butterflies migrate to valley regions west of the Rocky Mountains where milkweed, the only plant a monarch caterpillar eats, is plentiful.

October marks the beginning of their arrival, with numbers and activity usually peaking near Thanksgiving, when many park visitors gather to enjoy and photograph the butterflies.  Visitors can view the over-wintering Monarchs by walking down the park’s wheelchair and stroller-accessible boardwalk to the observation deck in the eucalyptus grove. The Monarch Grove has been declared a Natural Preserve, thus protecting the Monarchs and their winter habitat from human encroachment or harm. This is the only State Monarch Preserve in California.

Weekend Guided tours of the Monarch Grove take place on Saturdays and Sundays at 11:00am and 2:00pm, from October 9 until the monarchs migrate, usually in late January.  Monarch migration is variable; please call the park if you would like more information.  Public tours are offered on weekends and no reservations are necessary, or call (831) 423-4609 to arrange a tour for a group of 10 or more. Meet at the Visitor Center for the hour-long program. The walk is stroller and wheelchair accessible.

Natural Bridges State Park is located at the end of West Cliff Drive at the north end of Santa Cruz. Take Swift Avenue west from Highway 1, or follow West Cliff Drive north along the in-town bluffs until it ends at Natural Bridges.

Mono County Glows!

Scarlet Gilia and aspen leaves - 10/1/2011 - © 2011 Alicia Vennos

Fall color has arrived officially in Mono County (home to Rock Creek, Convict Lake, Mammoth Lakes, June Lake, Mono Lake, Lee Vining Canyon, Lundy Canyon, Virginia Lakes, Twin Lakes and Bridgeport).

Alicia Vennos send in this report and photos taken over the weekend.  An early winter storm is just arriving, but we predict it won’t have much effect on the fall color, other than to dust high mountain peaks with snow, making for even more spectacular photographs and fall color views along the Eastern Sierra.

15-30% – Rock Creek –Half-way between Bishop and Mammoth, “Rock Creek is leading the charge  with aspen about 5 miles up Rock Creek Road deep yellows, oranges and reds.  The hiking

Aspen at Rock Creek Lake (10/1/2011) © 2011 Alicia Vennos

trail from East Fork to Rock Creek Lake is highly recommended!

 

Lundy Falls (10/1/2011) © 2011 Alicia Vennos


Lundy Canyon (10/1/2011) © 2011 Alicia Vennos

0-15% – Lundy Canyon – Lundy is just begun to turn, with rich gold and some orange.  Along the Lundy Canyon hiking trail, the waterfalls are still amazingly full for October, and wildflowers continue to bloom, standing out against yellow aspen leaves – a rare photo opportunity.

Mono County Near Lundy Canyon (10/1/2011) © 2011 Alicia Vennos

15-30% — June Lake Loop is beginning to shift from yellow-green to orange.

30-50% – Parker Bench – Above June Lake, Parker Bench is showing a stunning blend of orange, red and yellow.

15 – 30% – U.S. 395 (Mono County) – Many of the aspen-lined creek beds (above Crowley, Laurel Canyon, just south of Mammoth and north of Lee Vining) along U.S. 395 are streaking the mountainside orange, red and yellow.  Locals predict colder temperatures now arriving from an Alaskan storm, forecast to arrive on Wednesday, may hasten the fall color peak throughout the region, though it’s been our experience that storms only affect currently changed leaves, not those that haven’t turned.  That means there’s lots of color yet to show throughout Mono County and the storm otherwise won’t reduce the color much.

30-50% – Virginia Lakes – High winds knocked turned leaves off the aspen surrounding Little Virginia Lake on Monday, color spotter Carolyn Webb reports.  However, there’s still lots of color to be appear or be seen in the Virginia Lakes area.  Carolyn writes, “Aspen are quite beautiful up and down the Virginia Lakes road to about 1 mile from the resort.  At nearby Conway Summit, “aspen in protected areas are still yellow with some gold going into rusts.”