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Shasta Cascade on Pace for Early Peak

Cottonwood, Westwood (9/29/17) Chris Gallagher

Unlike the Eastern Sierra, which is a week to two late, we’re getting early reports of fall color from the Northern Sierra and Cascades.

Admittedly, the color is at the starting to patchy phase, but still, the photos don’t lie. Even valley locations in the northern Central Valley, like Colusa, are showing early color.

We’re not close to issuing a GO NOW! alert, as too few photos have been received to indicate a trend, though will be watching closely. What a weird year!

Westwood (Lassen County) – Patchy (10-50%) – Chris Gallagher, Lassen County District 1 Supervisor, sent a photo of patchy cottonwood near a Westwood barn to score a First Report. Westwood was a lumber mill town, east of Lake Almanor and beside the lovely (bring your kayak) Mountain Meadows Reservoir and Dyer Mountain, the northernmost point in the Sierra Nevada.

Fall River (9/29/17) Martha Fletcher

Fall River – Patchy (10-50%) – Martha Fletcher reports that the Fall River area, particularly Upper Fall River near the Spinner Fall Lodge remains Patchy with the color at 50% and showing shades of yellow, gold, some reds and green from willow, black oak and river grasses.

Mountain Ash, Colusa (9/29/17) Nancy Hull

Colusa – Patchy (10-50%) – Mountain ash have brightened in Colusa (Central Valley), Nancy Hull reports. Several National Wildlife Refuges are located near Colusa, which is a great location for wildlife viewing in autumn.

 

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Mammoth/South All Patchy, Peak Nears

Convict Lake (9/27/17) Josh Wray

How did I miss Josh Wray’s report this past week? Somehow it got buried by a load of email. Just found it.

Rock Creek (9/27/17) Josh Wray

Fortunately, none of the areas south of Mammoth Lakes have neared peak, though all of them moved from Just Starting to Patchy. Here’s what he reported on Wednesday:

Mammoth Lakes Basin (8,500′) – Patchy (10-50-%) 

Lake George (9,000′) –Patchy (10-50-%) 

Mammoth Rock (9,100′) –Patchy (10-50-%) 

Laurel Meadow (9,000′) –Patchy (10-50-%) 

Convict Lake (8,500′) – Patchy (10-50-%) – Convict Lake is gorgeous right now. Golden willows have ringed the lake with lime-yellow color. Some of the smaller groves near the backside of the lake have turned orange. Convict Lake is on the edge of transitioning to Near Peak.

 

 

 

 

McGee Creek (9/27/17) Josh Wray

McGee Creek (9/27/17) Josh Wray

McGee Creek (9,000′) –Patchy (10-50-%) – Aspen near the pack station have begun turning. It’s best around late afternoon. Look for lots of lime and yellow.

Rock Creek (9/27/17) Josh Wray

 

 

 

Rock Creek  (9,000′) – Patchy (10-50%) –  Like many of the upper areas, Rock Creek is off to a late start. The color begins at level 7,500′, but is just starting there. The best color is seen above the Rock Creek Resort.

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Round Valley: Bigleaf Maple Go Big

Bigleaf maple, Round Valley Canyon (9/27/17) Jeff Luke Titcomb

Reporting from Plumas County, color spotter Jeff Luke Titcomb found bigleaf maple and dogwood showing Near Peak color in areas of Round Valley Canyon.

Round Valley Canyon (4,692′), Plumas County – Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW!

Dogwood (9/27/17) Jeff Luke Titcomb

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Bishop Creek Futures

Gold Pan – Clearview Stock | Dreamstime

This doesn’t seem to be the autumn to be investing in gold, at least up Bishop Creek. As, that commodity – among the aspen – is in short supply.

A call to Jared Smith at Parcher’s Resort this morning was disheartening, at least for the moment. He reported that the snow that fell last week knocked newly turned leaves from the aspen. And, he was “not impressed” by what is left, for now.

If you’ve missed Jared’s reports, its because he hasn’t been able to take pictures, as the battery charger for his Nikon D7000 is missing. So, travel writer/photographer Lee Foster and I will be traveling there on Monday to bring him one and see what we can capture in all the canyons from Bishop north to Mammoth Lakes.

If you’d planned to photograph or visit Bishop Creek Canyon this weekend, don’t put it off. There still will be beautiful color, but probably not up to “Ohmigosh, I can’t believe this is happening” expectations.

Groves at Cardinal Village (9/29/17) Rick Aeschliman

The best areas of fall color in Bishop Creek Canyon, presently, are: Lake Sabrina (high above the lake) and at Groves Above Cardinal Village (Near Peak). Most of the upper areas are patchy with muted orange and gold tones. Peak color can also be found near Mono Lake at Sagehen Meadows (use the California Fall Color Map at right for directions).

Though, do not let this limited selection discourage you from traveling. Fall color has progressed in Bishop Creek Canyon from patchy to full peak within a few days. Right now is when it has peaked in recent years, and at least two areas of the canyon are Near Peak, so GO NOW!

So, despite the disappointing reports, I’m not putting off my trip. I’m a Californian and we don’t get discouraged if we don’t find gold the first time we put a pan in the water. We just keep panning, as we know it’s there to be found.

Southern Inyo County

Whitney Portal (8,374’) – Just Starting (0-10%)

Onion Valley (9,600’) – Just Starting (0-10%)

Big Pine Creek (7,660’) – Just Starting (0-10%)

Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery (4,000’) – Just Starting (0-10%)

Alabama Hills (4,534’) – Just Starting (0-10%)

Northern Inyo County

Weir Pond (9,650’) – Patchy (10 – 50%)

Sabrina Campground (9,000’) – Just Starting (0 – 10%)

Willow Campground (9,000’) – Just Starting (0 – 10%)

Table Mountain Camp (8,900’)- Patchy (10 – 50%) – Table Mountain and Surveyor’s Meadow seem to have the best color along South Lake Road, for the moment.

Surveyors Meadow (8,975’) – Patchy (10 – 50%)

Lake Sabrina (9150ft) – Patchy (10 – 50%) to Peak (75-100%) –Peak color is seen high above Lake Sabrina in groves of aspen growing near 10,000’. However, it has not yet descended to lake level. GO NOW!

North Lake (9,255’) – Patchy (10 – 50%)

Mist Falls and the groves above Bishop Creek Lodge (8,350’) – Just Starting (0 – 10%)

Aspendell (8,400’) – Just Starting (0 – 10%)

Groves above Cardinal Village (8,550’) – Near Peak (50-75%) – The stunted and weathered aspen here are normally notoriously early, but not this year. Presently, they are a deep orange color and should peak in the coming week. GO NOW!

Four Jeffries (8,000’) – Just Starting (0 – 10%)

Intake II (8,000’) – Just Starting (0 – 10%)

Big Trees Campground (7,800’) – Just Starting (0 – 10%)

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Walker River Canyon Begins To Brighten

East Walker River (9/25/17) Robert Kermen

East Walker River (9/25/17) Robert Kermen

Color Spotter Robert Kermen was passing the Walker River (US 395) this week when he captured “just a little gold peaking out” among the willows and in the aspen along the canyon’s walls.

Walker River – Just Starting (0-10%)

 

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Fall River Senses Fall

Ponderosa Pine, Willows, Spinner Fall Lodge, Fall River Mills (9/20/17) Martha Fletcher

Martha Fletcher of Fall River Mills (First Report) sends this shot of the tops of Ponderosa pine reflecting the orange glow of sunset, as – in the foreground – willows are just beginning to reflect on their own orange tones.

Fall River Mills (3,195′) – Just Starting (0-10%)

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Sagehen Summit – GO NOW!

Fall color is developing rapidly across Mono County following last week’s storm, which dropped six inches of snow in the higher elevations of the Eastern Sierra, reports Mono County color spotter, Jeff Simpson.

Sagehen Summit (9/25/17) Jeff Simpson

Sagehen Summit (9/29/17) Rick Aeschliman

Sagehen Summit is Mono County’s first reported “GO NOW!” peak with vibrant yellows, and oranges. Simpson declares Sagehen Summit as a must-see this week. He estimates it will be photo-worthy for the next 5-7 days.

Virginia Lakes Rd. (9/25/17) Crys Black

Color spotter Crys Black drove south on US 395 from Conway Summit to Bishop Creek Canyon just after the dusting of snow this past weekend and found some color along the Virginia Lakes Road, though reported that the yellows were pretty muted. Similarly, Simpson says the upper sections of Rock Creek Road, Lobdell Lake Road and Tioga Pass are worth the trip, but still five days from peak viewing.

 

Convict Lake (9/25/17) Crys Black

Willows, Convict Lake (9/25/17) Crys Black

Convict Lake was starting to light up, though some leaves are spotty and brown. Black predicts the Round Valley to be good next week. Lots of its trees are frosted with yellow.

 

 

Convict Lake (7,850′) – Patchy (10-50%) – Willows are providing bright color around the lake.

Sagehen Summit (9/25/17) Jeff Simpson

Sagehen Summit (8,139’) – Peak (75-100%)  – Sagehen Summit is currently displaying vibrant yellows, and oranges and is a MUST see this week and should be photo-worthy for the next 5-7 days. GO NOW!

Lobdell Lake Road (8,600”) – Patchy (10-50%) – Lobdell Lake Road is still having trouble getting going. Lots of green and lime green with not much change from last week Note: Burcham Flat Road to Lobdell lake Road are dirt roads – AWD or 4WD vehicles are recommended.

Virginia Lakes Rd. (9/28/17) Steve Greer

Virginia Lakes (9,819’) –Patchy (10-50%) – Yellow and greens around the lake with more color in higher elevations.  For more adventurous leaf peepers with AWD or 4WD vehicles, take the Dunderberg Meadow Road to Sinnamon Meadows and Green Creek for additional aspen groves and views of Conway Summit.

Tioga Pass & Lee Vining Canyon (9,943′ & 6,781′) -Patchy (10-50%) – Color is just starting to show up around the upper elevations of Hwy 120 – Tioga Pass. Take the road up to Saddlebag Lake for the best viewing spots.

Upper Rock Creek (9,600’) –Patchy (10-50%) – Color is starting to show up nicely around Rock Creek Lake but still a bit patchy. Take the Mosquito Flats trail, Hilton & Davis Lakes Trail or Tamarack Bench Trail into higher elevations for more color.

Mono County is posting extended reports at MonoCounty.org and late pictures on Facebook.com/VisitEasternSierra and Instagram.com/MonoCountyTourism.

 

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Liquidambar – A California Favorite

Liquidambar, Walnut/Diamond Bar (9/25/17) Del Hossain

Liquidambar styraciflua (Sweet Gum) is one of those ornamental trees that can’t wait for autumn to arrive.

It often begins exhibiting, bright reds, burgundies, yellows and oranges in flaming profusion in mid-summer.

More than any other tree, it generates reports that autumn is arriving early, just because it begins showing early fall color. Its brilliant color explains why it is one of the most commonly-planted deciduous trees.

The sweet gum is an American tree, though not native to California. It’s found growing naturally in the eastern and southeastern U.S., in Mexico and Central America.

There are 13 cultivars (a type of cultivated plant) of sweet gum (Burgundy, Festival, Gumball, Parasol… even the funny-sounding Goduzam and Morplesdon among them). In California, the Palo Alto is the favorite, appreciated for its flame color and autumn glow.

From Los Angeles County, color spotter Del Hossain was out for an evening walk last night. Inspired by an orange-purple sunset, he was further dazzled by the color within a liquidambar urban forest planted along Pathfinder Rd. that was exhibiting complementary color.

True to its reputation, while native trees are struggling to get going in the Sierra, the exotic liquidambar styraciflua is unashamed to blush early.

Diamond Bar (696′) – Just Starting (0-10%)

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It All Begins at 1:02 p.m. Today

Autumn begins throughout California at 1:02 p.m.

That’s when the autumnal equinox occurs, starting a new astronomical season. At that moment, the sun’s rays are almost equally divided between the northern and southern hemisphere.

Thereafter and continuing to the winter solstice on Dec. 21, days get shorter and colder, as the amount of sunlight reaching the northern hemisphere declines.

Less light results in less chlorophyll being produced in deciduous plants. As the green chlorophyl subsides underlying brown, red, orange and yellow colors are seen. Colder temperatures also intensify red, orange and yellow colors. Though, eventually, the leaves weaken and fall.

Autumn is the only season with two names: Autumn and Fall. It gets the latter from those falling leaves.

Many believe California’s best weather occurs in autumn. Days remain clement, but nights are cooler. There’s a crispness in the air, but also a soothing envelopment that almost feels as if you’re being embraced by the season.

Why is it that there is such celebration when pumpkin-spiced lattes return to cafe menus in autumn?  Is it their taste, or the recollections of this gathering season that they inspire?

Autumn is the season of harvest, reunion, tailgating, wine making, costume parties, sweaters and thanksgiving. Though it would not be what it is, without Fall.

Over the past couple of days, snow has fallen in the High Sierra. Several of you have asked what effect the early snow might have on autumn color. The answer is: “Little to No Effect.”

Snow usually only damages the change of color on leaves that have turned color or have nearly turned color. Leaves that are vibrant and still producing chlorophyl shake off a little snow with no effect on the color. However, were the same to occur at an elevation that was near peak to peak, leaves in the process of turning would either be spotted or blown from their branches.

Rock Creek Canyon (9/22/17) Will Ridgeway

Rock Creek Canyon (9/22/17) Will Ridgeway

Will Ridgeway took these photographs near Rock Creek Pack Station yesterday morning.

He writes that “The snow on green Aspen leaves makes it look like we’re going straight from Summer to Winter, though that’s temporary.

“That said, there was a good amount of colour above Lake Sabrina this morning, roughly equal parts green, yellow and orange depending on the location of each grove.” he describes.

Lake Sabrina – Near Peak (75-100%) – Will Ridgeway rates the upper groves high above Sabrina Lake near 10,000′ in elevation as nearing peak. GO NOW!

Sagehen Meadow, Mono County (9/22/17) Bruce Wendler

Sagehen Meadow, Mono County – Patchy (10-50%) – Color spotter Bruce Wendler found “the first fire of autumn” lighting the hills around Sagehen Meadow, south of Mono Lake. Frigid temperatures are stimulating vibrant color change in high areas of Mono County.

Unidentified exotic tree, Downtown LA near Fig Plaza (9/21/17) Mohammad Delwar

Los Angeles – Just Starting (0-10%) – Often what appears to be autumnal change is not exactly the same thing. Del Hossain saw this blooming tree in downtown Los Angeles yesterday and had the presence of mind to photograph it and ask if it might be fall color.

This is one of the myriad of non-native (or exotic) trees that have been planted in our urban forests. It has a flower or seed pod (similar to a Bougainvillea bloom) that Del described as “a splash of pinks, reds,or orangish”.

What is most important is that Del turned a break while working in the heart of Los Angeles (Downtown Magnets High School – Go Suns!) into an inspirational fall color sojourn.  Fall color creds to anyone who can identify the tree, and to Del for sharing.

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The Autumn Hat Trick: Snow, Wildflowers and Fall Color

Mammoth Lakes Hat Trick (9/21/17) Alicia Vennos

A day before the autumnal equinox Mono County color spotter Alicia Vennos reports she awoke to find snow, blooming wildflowers and fall color out her door.

Photographer Marc Hoshovski reported snow fell down to 7,000′ in elevation yesterday, “so this could get things happening.

Though, when he visited Nelson Lake south of Tuolumne Meadows, the aspen and meadow grasses were still mostly green.

Even the corn lily (veratrum) which turn yellow in late summer as things dry out, he commented were holding their green, “The The only sign of leaf color so far are Dwarf Bilberry (Vaccinium cespitosum) leaves starting to turn purple.

Nelson Lake, Yosemite National Park (9600’) – Just Starting (0-10%)

 

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