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Holiday Lights

California sycamore, W Fork San Gabriel River (12-2-18) Naresh Satyan

In the San Gabriel Mountains, December is lit with orange, vermillion, yellow and russet.

Southern California color spotter Naresh Satyan reports, “We just had our first big winter storm in Southern California last week, and yet it feels like fall, in some areas, in the mountains.”

He spent the day walking the West Fork of the San Gabriel river in  San Gabriel Mountains National Monument and found beautiful fall color still lingering.

Bigleaf maple, California sycamore, willows and various other plants remain vibrant along West Fork Road.

Naresh found it hard to describe what is peak color, “since it seems like the trees don’t all turn at the same time. We have a few trees in peak color, but I’d say most of it is past peak.” 

  • W. Fork San Gabriel River, San Gabriel Mountains – Peak to Past Peak, You Almost Missed It.