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Follow the Sound of Water

Indian Rhubarb (Darmera), Rock Creek (10/4/19) Michael Beatley

If you follow the sound of water, you’re sure to find fall color in the Shasta Cascade, right now. As, creek grasses and Indian rhubarb (darmera) have begun to blush.

Color spotter Michael Beatley sent back these images from Rock Creek in Meadow Valley. He describes the creek as one of his favorites and, though still Patchy, it is revealing its potential.

Rock Creek (not to be confused with that of the same name in southern Mono County) flows into Spanish Creek at Bucks Lake Rd. in Plumas County (Northern Sierra).

From there, the water spills into the North Fork of the Feather River which joins the Sacramento River, then travels through the Delta to San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean.

The creek was and still is panned for gold, though Michael visits it for its ruby-orange fan-shaped darmera leaves and golden alder.

Wildflowers bloom near fall color, Rock Creek (10/4/19) Michael Beatley

When Beatley visited this week, wildflowers were still blooming by the stream. He thinks the darmera is late, but it appears to be on time, as we’ve posted it peaking mid October in previous years.

  • Rock Creek, Meadow Valley (3,600′) – Patchy (10-50%)