Shasta Cascade Reports First Color

Color spotter Shae Garrett provides this roundup of  color for the Shasta Cascade Region.  Some areas of this vast region of northeast California are beginning to show color, though it’s still two to three weeks from significant displays.  As in other areas of the state, red seems to be the theme of this autumn.

A number of special events and festivals are coming up.  Links to them are listed below for planning trips when color is showing.

The Shasta Cascade includes three different ecosystems: the Cascades, the Sierra Nevada and the Coastal Range.  Each has its own dominant fall foliage.  Look for orange-red Indian Rhubarb, yellow Bigleaf Maple, yellow Aspen, orange oaks, golden cottonwood, crimson poison oak and chartreuse wild cucumber.

0 – 15% – Plumas County – Color spotter Richard McCutcheon recommends following the Cascade Trail along Spanish Creek for spots of orangey-red Indian Rhubarb.  Other spotters in Plumas County predict the color will begin appearing in mid October.  Here’s a link to upcoming events: http://plumascounty.org/Events/October.htm

15 – 30% – Siskiyou County – A bit of yellow is begining to appear in this far northern California county.

0 – 15% – Modoc County – Enjoy free admission to all federal public lands in Modoc County on Sept. 28, Public Nation Land Day http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/modoc/news-events/?cid=STELPRDB5436220n

0 – 15% – Shasta County – Historic Hawes Farms Presents Civil War Days (reenactment)  http://historichawesfarms.com/civil-war/

0 – 15% – Tehama County – Lassen Volcanic National Park’s annual Art & Wine Festival occurs Sept. 28 at the Kohm Yah-mah-nee visitor center (southwest entrance) and features local artists, craftsmen and wines.  Park admission is free that day due to National Public Lands Day.  The Tehama County Fair  occurs Sept 26 – 29 http://www.tehamadistrictfair.com/fair.htm

15 – 30% – Butte County – It’s still too early to make a trip to Chico for fall color, though it is always a great place to visit.  For the moment, Chico is mostly green as seen in this photo taken at Bidwell Park.  The best color in Chico will be seen there, on the Chico State University campus, along the Highway 32 corridor, and up the Highway 99 corridor in mid October.  Chico is known as a city of trees with a spectacular mature canopy in its parks and along its boulevards.  The agricultural fields and orchards surrounding Chico have impressive displays of nut and fruit trees in mid October.  Here are some upcoming Chico events:

• 19th Annual Window Art Project, Oct. 1 – 31.  Downtown businesses collaborate with Chico artists, who display original work in store windows.  This is a walking art show.  Free admission.
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  Chico State Canopy (9/27/13) Shae Garrett

  The Fourth Annual Chico Experience Week, Oct 4 to Oct 13.  Chico Experience Week brings Chico State students, alumni, parents, and friends together for 10 days of fun, education, and re-connection on the campus and in Chico.

• 4th Annual Sierra Nevada Oktoberfest, Oct 4 and 5.   Sierra Nevada Brewery, Hop Field, 1075 E 20th St.  Admission $47.50.  This popular event sells out in advance, so plan ahead.  It is Oktoberfest revelry at the Sierra Nevada Brewery with live music, food and drink.  Starts at 4 p.m. each day. http://www.sierranevada.com
• Harvest Sidewalk Sale, Oct 12, downtown Chico. Rake in fall savings and celebrate the season at this Harvest Sidewalk Sale. Some incredible deals are offered. Free admission. http://www.downtownchico.com
• Forest Ranch Fall Festival, Oct 12, 15522 Nopel Ave, Chico. Free admission. Enjoy local crafts and unique purchases, a farmer’s market, free children’s bounce house and face painting at this family-focused event. Music and food for purchase.  www.mountainjoybible.com
• Sierra Oro Farm Trail Passport Weekend, Oct 12 and 13. Sample farm-fresh food and award-winning wines at stops along the Sierra Oro Farm Trail. Meet farmers and winemakers while taking this self-guided tour of Butte County’s countryside. $25 admission. www.sierraoro.org
• Chico Parade of Lights “Dancin’ thur’ the Decades”, Oct 12, 7:30 p.m., Downtown Chico.  Create a rolling entry for this parade and light up the route by sharing your take on the parade’s theme “Dancin’ thru’ the Decades.” Parade participants wear decade-themed costumes, decorations and lights (e.g. 1920s flappers, 1950s sock hop, 1970s disco, etc).  Parade Route: 3rd St. and Salem, to Main St., 6th St. and ending at 4th St. and Broadway. 7:30 p.m.
• Open Studios Art Tour, Oct 19 and 20,  and Oct. 26 and 27 – On two weekends each year, artists throughout the Chico area open their art studios for public visits.  Begin at the Chico Art Center (450 Orange St., Suite 6) and plan your tour itinerary to include stops at your favorite artists. www.chicoartcenter.com
• Treat Street, Oct 31, 2-5 p.m., downtown Chico, Free admission.  Kids (12 and under) are sure to have a safe and fun Halloween each year at Treat Street in downtown Chico, organized by local merchants.  It’s simple, kids… wear a costume, bring a parent and get ready to stroll Halloween-style. More than 60 businesses are listed on the Treat Street route, follow the map and look for special posters in store windows. Costume contest – $5 entry with prizes to the top 3 finalists: Child 0-3, Child 4-7, Child 8-12, Themed family or group, and canine.