Falling for Fall

It’s mid-summer and a hot day.  What better time to turn to thoughts of cool autumn days?

For those who wonder if California Fall Color will reappear with the autumn colors… no fear.  I’ve spoken with the site’s sponsors and they’ve all confirmed their interest in renewing participation for the coming year.  So, California Fall Color will start reporting from the first signs of color.

About this time, last year, we published a teaser about fall and on Sept. 12, our first report described the state of color change at the highest elevations.  That’s about right and that’s what we plan in 2012.  Consider this to be the teaser.  However, there’s no prediction of fall color within it.

We know it will happen, but for how long at any given elevation, no one can say with certainty.  What we can predict is that the first dramatic color will appear above 9,000 feet during the week before the first day of autumn.  So, if you’re inclined to plan your travel, set aside time to travel to Bishop, then up Bishop Creek Canyon into the High Sierra and you, too, will be falling for fall.

Look for our reports to start in mid September.

7 replies
    • John Poimiroo says:

      Hinda,

      Ah, now you’re stumping the star! Forest Falls is in the San Bernardino Mountains between 5,000′ and 6,000′. We have yet to get reliable and consistent reports from all parts of Southern California, though praise the LA County Arboretum for their superb photos and reports. So, this little journalistic dance is to say, I can only guess based on the reports I’ve received in the past from color spotters in the San Bernardino Mountains. It appears that the color shows at that elevation about the first week of November. A color spotter in Big Bear had reported, a couple of years ago, that the area was at peak (75 – 100%) on Nov. 8. That’s slightly later than Yosemite Valley which is at a similar elevation. Though, Southern California has a late show (SoCal is our December hero). If you’re making plans to visit when the color is best (dart toss here), visit during the first week of November. However, keep checking back here for the latest on what’s showing. And, if anyone knows of a reliable color spotter near Forest Falls (lovely name), have them write us. We’d love to have more reports from that area.

  1. Carol says:

    Fall color has started early this year – August 22, 2012. Reporting from San Rafael, CA (Marin County), the cherry trees have 1/4 leaves already turning orange/red, several large Liquid Ambers also changing color to orange/red, Japanese Maples going from deep red summer color to lighter orange and yellow, Lilac trees completely gone from bright summer green to bright yellow, leaves on apricot tree turning yellow.

    • John Poimiroo says:

      Beautiful report, Carol. That is early, particularly from so low an elevation. We have recorded spots of early color in certain areas. If anyone has a good suggestion as to what causes that, we’d love to hear from you. And Carol, you are now an official California Fall Color spotter! If you can get a photo, email it to us.

  2. Tim says:

    Greetings from San Francisco. Glad to see you guys will be back again, and on Facebook. We’ve been following the last couple of years and love the updates. Can’t make it out to the Eastern Sierras as much as we used to, so this is great!

  3. Dan Tomasi says:

    My wife and I are taking my two young girls up to mammoth lakes area the third week of September. We are from San Diego and are hoping for some Epic color…Can’t wait to see the amazement on their faces:) Based on my limited research so far, I am thinking we will be certain to see some of natures fireworks…..Thoughts? Suggestions. Must do’s?

    Love the site:)

    • John Poimiroo says:

      The third week of September puts your visit near the start of autumn (Sept. 22). At that time of year, get as high as you can into the canyons that lead from U.S. 395. We recommend a drive up Bishop Creek Canyon, south of Mammoth Lakes to Sabrina, South and North Lakes. They should be approaching peak nearing the autumnal equinox. The rule of thumb is that color drops from 500 to 1,000 ft each week, so the Mammoth Lakes won’t be at peak until early to mid October. A photo just posted shows the current state at McGee Creek Canyon.

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