Bigleaf Maple Near Peak on the Upper North Coast

Big Trees, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park (10/3/16) Max Forster

Bigleaf maple are near peak among the coastal redwoods (sequoia sempervirens) of Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park along the upper Redwood Highway, reports color spotter Max Forster.

Big Trees, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park (10/3/16) Max Forster

Leaning Maple, Corkscrew Creek, Redwood Highway (10/3/16) Max Forster

Lost Man Creek, Redwood Highway (10/3/16) Max Forster

Bigleaf Maple, Redwood Highway (10/34/16) Max Forster

He writes, “While we may not see the uniform display of color seen last year, most bigleaf maple are near peak throughout the redwood forest. 

“Northern Humboldt County isn’t thought of as being a fall foliage destination, though this is one of the finest times of the year for photography in the forest. 

“Mostly green scenes can now be punched up with flourishes of yellow from the bigleaf and vine maples.  The summer crowds have left the national and state parks, leaving many trails practically empty.”

Bigleaf maple is one of a few showy autumn plants along the North Coast, the others being western poison oak (crimson), vine maple (yellow), black cottonwood (gold) and red alder (yellow).

Forster continued, “This is rutting season and Roosevelt elk are very active, as the bulls contest for the harems.  Keep an eye out for signage along trails where the bulls have been seen, recently.

“You don’t have to venture far from your car, as some of the best color can be seen from Drury Parkway or the road to the Lost Man Creek picnic area.”

Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park & Redwood National Park – Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW!

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