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Where Do You Go When A Pass Closes?

Black oak and bigleaf maple, Yosemite National Park (10/20/17) Darrell Sano

Yosemite NP (10/20/17) Darrell Sano

Color spotter Darrell Sano attempted a trip to the Eastern Sierra on Friday. He’d planned to drive across Tioga or Sonora Pass, but the passes had closed due to an early snowfall. So where did Darrell head to find fall color? Straight to Yosemite National Park.

At this time of autumn, early storms will close passes across the Sierra intermittently. If the snowfall is light, affected passes will reopen soon after snow has melted off the pavement. However, once “environmental conditions” preclude continued safe operation of vehicles across the mountain passes (Monitor, Sonora, Tioga), they will close for the winter, or until clear of snow and ice.

Prevented from crossing the Sierra, Sano detoured to Yosemite Valley and Glacier Point. He wrote he’d forgotten “how colorful Yosemite is. At 4000’ elevation the valley floor, as well as Big Oak Flat Road, are at peak.

Some trees have lost leaves, perhaps by rain, but there was ample color along Big Oak Flat, Southside Drive, and Glacier Point Road. Even the mid-day light at noon had a special autumn glow, a clarity, and intensity that brings out every detail and texture.

Glacier Point Rd. (10/20/17) Darrell Sano

“Along Glacier Point Road, I could detect smoke, and later see smoldering tree trunks blackened by fire. There was snow on the ground, and splashes of fall color among it! The evening sunset behind the fall color illuminated leaves even further. A wonderful day!”

Some photographers believe conditions have to be perfect for the best photographs, but often the opposite is true. A wisp of smoke in the air, a blackened forest made vibrant by drips of fall color within it… all these can make for memorable photographs and experiences.

So, don’t let the closing of a pass, past peak conditions at an area you’d planned to visit or other changes to your plans keep you from exploring. There’s just too much beauty out there to miss, just because a pass closes.

Dogwood, Yosemite NP (10/20/17) Darrell Sano

Dogwood, Yosemite NP (10/20/17) Darrell Sano

Yosemite Valley (4,000′) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!

Glacier Point Road (7,214′) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!

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American River Reflections

Sycamore, American River, Lotus (10/21/17) Hari Reddy

In autumn, the American River is placid, unlike the surging stream it is in late spring and early summer. Sycamore, Frémont cottonwood and black oak cast golden, orange, yellow and lime reflections across its slow moving waters.

Lotus, near where gold was discovered in Coloma in 1848, is a popular put-in spot for rafters and kayakers, making the American the most popular whitewater rafting destination in California. Though in autumn, paddling is as quiet as the river.

American River, Lotus (722′) – Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW!

El Dorado Hills (768′) – Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW! – Exotic Chinese pistache, sycamore, flowering plum and pears and native blue oaks planted along El Dorado Hills Blvd. are a mix of burgundy, auburn, crimson, yellow, orange, lime and buff.

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Getting Above and Around Quincy

West’s Ranch, Quincy (10/21/17) Michael Beatley

Maple, Quincy (10/22/17) Michael Beatley

Courthouse Maples, Quincy (10/21/17) Michael Beatley

Quincy, the Plumas County seat, sits at 3,432′.  Hike a hundred feet higher into the hills surrounding the town and you have a birds-eye view of downtown Quincy splashed with orange, yellow, red and green.

That’s what Michael Beatley did this weekend, while also exploring fields and farms around Quincy to return with an album of great images.

Throughout town, both native and planted trees provide lush color. Exotic sugar maples near the county courthouse are guilty of being spectacular and Quincy (est. 1854) is packed with peak color.

The Peak color should last through the week, though do not delay, as Quincy is as good as it gets, right now.

Quincy (3,432′) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!

Quincy (10/22/17) Michael Beatley

Quincy (10/21/17) Michael Beatley

Quincy (10/21/17) Michael Beatley

Quincy (10/21/17) Michael Beatley

West’s Ranch, Quincy (10/21/17) Michael Beatley

Quincy (10/21/17) Michael Beatley

Quincy (10/21/17) Michael Beatley

Quincy (10/21/17) Michael Beatley

 

 

 

 

 

Courthouse Maples, Quincy (10/21/17) Michael Beatley

 

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Silver Lake Silver Moment

Silver Lake, June Lake Loop (10/20/17) Shreenivasan Manievannan

In the Sierra, some of the best times to take a photograph are during or immediately following a storm.

Ansel Adams taught us this with his iconic image of Yosemite Valley, taken from Tunnel View, following a clearing winter storm.

Silver Lake, on the June Lake Loop, similarly delivers many magical moments.  Here’s one taken on Friday as a storm cleared.

Silver Lake, June Lake Loop – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!

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One Last Shot of Hope

Hope Valley (10/16/17) Susan Taylor

Hope Valley (10/16/17) Susan Taylor

Hope Valley (10/16/17) Susan Taylor

Susan Taylor sent these images taken in the Hope Valley, last week. They were such jewels, though no longer available to be seen, that we had to share them.

What you’re more likely to see are those taken by Phillip Reedy and Clayton Peoples.

Phillip timed a visit to be in the Hope Valley and setup before sunrise to photograph snow and fall color before the snow would begin to melt.

He noted that while most of the aspen in the Hope Valley are now bare, there are some with reasonably good color remaining.  Though, the cabin at Red Lake Creek is now “totally bare, even on the mountainside above the cabin.”

Aspen Leaves and Snow, Hope Valley (10/20/17) Phillip Reedy

Clayton Peoples had the same idea, visiting Lake Tahoe and finding spots of color surrounded by a wet dusting of heavy snow.

The heavy blanket of snow dropped late last week has mostly melted (following the warm, sunny weather that followed) and the scene is similar to the Hope Valley, mostly Past Peak, but with pockets of color to be seen.

Clayton wrote, “Color can be found in the lower elevations (near the Lake) among aspens and cottonwoods; it can also be found in a few aspen groves hanging tough in the higher elevations.

“For instance, near Tahoe Meadows (on the NV side, along Mt. Rose Highway), there is a gnarled, weathered grove of aspens that tends to turn color in mid-October despite its high elevation (approximately 8,000ft). This grove is going off right now, and is at Peak (75-100%). A number of inches have fallen at this elevation, adding to the beauty. At the right angle, one can capture a photo of orange-hued aspens with the majestic Lake Tahoe in the background, 2,000ft below.

Tahoe Meadows (10/20/17) Clayton Peoples

Hope Valley – Past Peak – You Missed It.

Lake Tahoe – Past Peak – You Missed It.

Lake Tahoe (10/20/17) Clayton Peoples

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It Hasta Be Shasta: Trinity Scenic Byway

Lewiston Bridge (10/19/17) Jeri Rangel

Another of the areas Near Peak to Peaking in the Shasta Cascade region is Trinity County.

Shasta Cascade color spotter Jeri Rangel traveled the Trinity Heritage Scenic Byway (CA-3) , yesterday, including scoring a First Report for Lewiston, which requires a detour (Trinity Dam Blvd.) from the route.

From Redding, head west on CA-299 toward Weaverville (great color, plus a fascinating historic downtown and Joss House State Historic Park – all worth seeing). Trinity Dam Blvd. is a couple of miles before the turn north onto the scenic byway (CA-3).

Her route along the scenic byway traveled north from Weaverville on Hwy 3, past Trinity Lake, Trinity Center, the Trinity Alps and Etna, Scott Valley, the Marble Mountains and Ft. Jones, finding “fabulous” fall colors that have “popped out brightly all over and just about at the same time!”

She estimates that the route is at full peak, though this is an area that should stay good through early November.

Trinity Heritage Scenic Byway, CA-3 – Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW!

Dogwood, Norwegian Area, North Trinity Lake (10/19/17) Jeri Rangel

Scott Mountain, CA-3 (10/19/17) Jeri Rangel

Coffee Creek Rd., CA-3 (10/19/17) Jeri Rangel

Dogwood, CA-3 (10/19/17) Jeri Rangel

Trinity Center, CA-3 (10/19/17) Jeri Rangel

Trinity Alps Wilderness (10/18/17) Larry Leigh

Etna, Scott Valley (10/19/17) Jeri Rangel

 

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It Hasta Be Shasta: Meadow Valley

Sugar Maple, Acer saccharum, Meadow Valley (10/19/17) Michael Beatley

Years ago, “It Hasta Be Shasta” was the motto of one of my PR clients, the Shasta Beverage Company. That motto sure fits what’s happening up north, as fall color is now filling the Shasta Cascade with beauty.

For the coming week, it hasta be Shasta.

Penny farthing in a field, North Arm of Indian Valley (10/17/17) Michael Beatley

Color spotter Michael Beatley was riding past Meadow Valley (not on the penny farthing seen at left) when he spied a Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum).

Sugar maples are exotic trees (native to eastern Canada and the northeast U.S.), known for their brilliant fall color.

Meadow Valley is eight miles west of Quincy on the old Beckwourth Trail where Black Bart robbed stage coaches in the late 1870s. The town was settled around 1850.

Bigleaf maple, Indian rhubarb, Indian Creek,
Taylorsville (10/17/17) Michael Beatley

It sits at the base of Spanish Peak in the Plumas National Forest, which is full of native aspen, maple, dogwood, cottonwood, pine and fir.

Michael reports that “CA-89 from CA-70 towards Taylorsville, Greenville and Chester is very beautiful, with a lot of color along Indian Creek.”

Meadow Valley – Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW!

Indian Creek, Taylorsville (10/17/17) Michael Beatley

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spanish Peak, Meadow Valley (10/17/17) Michael Beatley

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Bishop Creek – You Missed It.

Sabrina Lake (10/12/17) Jeff Hemming

Bishop Creek Canyon is now almost entirely Past Peak.

Aspendell, Bishop Creek Canyon (10/14/17) Adam Weist

Whenever we report that an area is Past Peak, there’ll surely be someone who will send a photograph showing we’re wrong. Yes, there is still great color to be seen up Bishop Creek. However, for the most part it has blown. Tomorrow’s predicted wind event (gusting to 30 mph over ridges) will almost certainly strip what little remains.

The featured photograph (above) was taken by Jeff Hemming a week ago (Oct. 12) at Sabrina Lake (Bishop Creek Canyon). It shows Near Peak color at an area that has peaked in September in years past. Such is this autumn. It has been topsy turvy, cattywampus, totally out of sync.

Today, Sabrina Lake is officially Past Peak, though no doubt peak color can be seen today where it was green a week ago. As seen in Suvadeep Ghosh Dastidar’s images, South Lake Rd. still has pockets of late-turning fall color, though most color spotters would classify the canyon, overall, as Past Peak.

That’s the story of this autumn… of stands of aspen changing in staggered displays according to their internal genetic clock.

So, what remains to be seen in Inyo County?

South Inyo County is at Peak or Near Peak at Big Pine Creek, the Whitney Fish Hatchery and Alabama Hills. Spectacular Peak color was seen this past week on the trail to Whitney Portal. Likely, spots of that color remain, though the big ribbon of color (search Whitney Portal to see it), is gone.

Near Peak to Peak this week will be Pine Creek Rd. and the Round Valley, north of Bishop, with an impressive, long and scenic band of lush Frémont and black cottonwood, likely California’s best groves. Eastern Sierra color spotters have ignored Pine Creek, perhaps because it has cottonwood, not aspen. They shouldn’t, as the trees are backed by a breathtaking range of peaks at the western end of the canyon. This could be a great drone shot, which we’d love to post (YouTube).

The Round Valley (north of Bishop) also has towering cottonwood, some near weathered old cabins… well worth a detour.

Eastern Sierra

Southern Inyo County

  • Whitney Portal (8,374’) – Peak to Past Peak  – You Almost Missed It.
  • Onion Valley (9,600’) – Past Peak – You Missed It.
  • Big Pine Creek (7,660’) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
  • Whitney Fish Hatchery (4,000’) – Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW!
  • Alabama Hills (4,534’) –Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW!

Northern Inyo County

Mountain Glen, S. Fork Bishop Creek (10/16/17) Suvadeep Ghosh Dastidar

South Lake, Bishop Creek Canyon

  • Weir Pond (9,650’) – Past Peak – You Missed It.
  • Parchers Resort (9,260’) -Past Peak – You Missed It.
  • Willow Campground (9,000’) – Past Peak – You Missed It.
  • Surveyors Meadow (8,975’) -Past Peak – You Missed It.
  • Table Mountain Group Camp (8,900’) –Past Peak – You Missed It.
  • Mountain Glen -Past Peak – You Missed It.
  • Mist Falls and Groves above Bishop Creek Lodge (8,350’) -Past Peak – You Missed It.
  • Four Jeffrey (8,000’) – Peak (75-100%)  GO NOW!

 

S. Fork Bishop Creek (10/16/17) Suvadeep Ghosh Dastidar

Sabrina Lake, Bishop Creek Canyon

  • Lake Sabrina (9,150’) – Past Peak – You Missed It.
  • Sabrina Approach (9,100′) – Past Peak – You Missed It.
  • Sabrina Campground (9,000’) – Past Peak – You Missed It.
  • Groves above Cardinal Village (8,550’) – Past Peak – You Missed It.
  • Aspendell (8,400’) – Past Peak – You Missed It.
  • Intake II (8,000’) – Past Peak – You Missed It.
  • Big Trees Campground (7,800’) – Near Peak (50-75%)    GO NOW!

 

Willows, Campground,
S. Fork Bishop Creek (10/16/17) Suvadeep Ghosh Dastidar

North Lake

  • North Lake Road (9,000’) – Past Peak – You Missed It.
  • North Lake (9,255’) – Past Peak – You Missed It.
  • Upper North Lake Road (9,255’) – Past Peak – You Missed It.

Pine Creek/Round Valley

  • Pine Creek Pack Station (7,441′) – Past Peak – You Missed It.
  • Pine Creek Road (7,200′) – Near Peak (50-75%)  GO NOW!
  • Round Valley (7,000′) – Near Peak (50-75%)  GO NOW!
  • Lower Rock Creek Road (7,000′) – Near Peak (50-75%)  GO NOW!

Owens Valley/Bishop

  • Owens Valley (4,100′) – Patchy (10-50%)
  • Bishop (4,150′) – Patchy (10-50%)
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Mono County: Last Call for Peak Color

June Lake Loop (10/18/17) Josh Wray | Mammoth Lakes Tourism

Grant Lake, June Lake Loop (10/18/17) Jeff Simpson | Mono County Tourism

Grant Lake, June Lake Loop (10/18/17) Jeff Simpson | Mono County Tourism

June Lake Loop (10/18/17) Jeff Simpson | Mono County Tourism

Silver Lake, June Lake Loop (10/18/17) Jeff Simpson | Mono County Tourism

Silver Lake, June Lake Loop (10/18/17) Jeff Simpson | Mono County Tourism

Parker Lake, Past Peak (10/18/17) Josh Wray | Visit Mammoth

June Lake Loop (10/18/17) Josh Wray | Visit Mammoth

June Lake Loop (10/18/17) Josh Wray | Visit Mammoth

June Lake Loop (10/18/17) Josh Wray | Visit Mammoth

June Lake Loop (10/18/17) Josh Wray | Visit Mammoth

McGee Creek Canyon (10/18/17) Alicia Vennos | Mono County Tourism

Lower Rock Creek Rd. (10/18/17) Alicia Vennos | Mono County Tourism

Alger Creek, June Lake Loop (10/15/17) Laura Shane

Silver Lake, June Lake Loop (10/15/17) Laura Shane

If you don’t plan to visit Mono County within a week, you’re likely to have missed the last big display of fall color in the Eastern Sierra.

That’s because, with the exception of June Lake, all other large stands of aspen are just about done. In particular, Lower Rock Creek Rd., McGee Creek Rd., Convict Lake, Conway Summit, Lundy Canyon, Summers Meadow Rd., Twin Lakes/Bridgeport and Lower Lee Vining Canyon are nearly past peak, though still beautiful… for the moment.

With high winds “predicted to hit the Eastern Sierra over the next few days,” there is a good chance that a lot of the aspen still carrying leaves will drop their deepest color. Though, a residue of color will remain hanging from branches through the end of October.

For those who don’t plan to travel to Mono County this week, pockets of bright autumn color will continue to develop along the West Walker River, the June Lake Loop and in Walker, Coleville and Topaz into early November.

Here’s Mono County’s report (north to south on US 395):

Walker Canyon (5,200′)- Peak (75-100%)  – The banks of the West Walker River are lined with gold. Take Little Walker River Road to Obsidian Campground for additional leafy delight. GO NOW!

Towns of Walker & Coleville – Near Peak (50-75%) – The big cottonwoods along US 395 are coming along nicely and should be perfect even after this weekend’s storm. Head up to Topaz Lake for spectacular lake shots. GO NOW!

Twin Lakes/Bridgeport (7,000′) –  Peak (75-100%) – There’s still great color along Upper and Lower Twin lakes and down Robinson Creek into the campgrounds. GO NOW!

Summers Meadow (7,200′) -Peak to Past Peak  – Most of this spectacular valley is past peak but you can still find sections of wonderful color. (You Almost Missed It.)

Virginia Lakes (9,819’) – Past Peak – You Missed It.

Conway Summit (8,143′)- Peak to Past Peak  – Only a few groves were still carrying lots of leaves at Conway Summit this morning. It still has some great photo ops, but won’t last long. (You Almost Missed It.)

Lundy Lake Rd. (10/18/17) Jeff Simpson | Mono County Tourism

Tioga Pass & Lee Vining Canyon (9,943′) – Peak to Past Peak – The upper elevations of Tioga Pass are now Past Peak but lower Lee Vining Canyon all the way down to Mono Lake are ripe with color. (You Almost Missed It.)

Lundy Lake & Canyon (7,858′)- Peak to Past Peak – Lundy Canyon Trail is now past peak, plus the leaves at the Beaver Ponds were barely hanging on, but there is still wonderful color along the road and at the campground. (You Almost Missed It.)

Parker Lake (8,000′) – You Missed It. – A grove of brilliant aspen at the far end of the lake provides one of the few spots of color.

June Lake Loop/Hwy 158 (7,654′) – Peak (75-100%) – Jeff Simpson toured the June Lake Loop this morning and it’s simply spectacular with peaking color all around the loop. Go now before the storm hits. Mammoth Lakes’ Josh Wray agrees, saying the June Lake Loop, “is the brightest I’ve ever seen it, particularly at Silver Lake, and in between Grant Lake and Silver Lake. GO NOW!

McGee Creek Canyon (8,600’) –Peak to Past Peak – McGee Creek Canyon is now Past Peak but there is terrific color along the road and at the pack station. (You Almost Missed It.)

Around Crowley community (6,781′) – Peak (75-100%) – Full peak from Tom’s Place to McGee Creek along US 395. GO NOW!

June Lake Loop (10/18/17) Josh Wray | Visit Mammoth

Convict Lake (7850′) – Peak to Past Peak – Patchy sections of peaking aspen ring the lake. (You Almost Missed It.)

Rock Creek Road (9,600’) – Peak to Past Peak – Peak color can be seen along lower Rock Creek Rd to Tom’s Place. The upper sections of the road are all now past peak. (You Almost Missed It.)

Lower Rock Creek Road – Peak (75-100%) – Clusters of towering cottonwood, crested with gold flank Lower Rock Creek Rd. from Tom’s Place to the Round Valley. GO NOW!

Parker Lake, (10/18/17) Josh Wray | Visit Mammoth

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Past Peak Can Still Be Beautiful

Sorensens Cabin, Hope Valley (10/14/17) Brian Patterson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Past Peak color can still be beautiful, as seen in Brian Patterson’s photograph of Sorensens Cabin.

Hope Valley – Past Peak – You Missed It.