After hearing today that leaves had dropped from some aspen trees at June Lake, we asked Jeff Simpson to go there and photograph what it looks like, right now. His photos do not disappoint.
The aspen groves are lush and full of leaves, though, on closer inspection, some are spotted with black leaf spot fungus. Still, June Lake is on track for terrific color.
Next weekend (Oct. 15/16) should be prime for peak color at June Lake. Make your travel plans, now!
June Lake Loop/Hwy 168 – Patchy (10-50%) – The patchy rating is deceiving. This area should easily move to near peak within a week.
As such, in the coming week June Lake is sure to earn the title PEAK OF THE WEEK.
[wunderground location=”June Lake, CA” numdays=”4″ showdata=”daynames,icon,date,conditions,highlow” layout=”simple”]
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Mineral King, Sequoia National Park (10/1/16) Leor Pantilat
Mineral King, Sequoia National Park (10/1/16) Leor Pantilat
Mineral King, Sequoia National Park (10/1/16) Leor Pantilat
Mineral King, Sequoia National Park (10/1/16) Leor Pantilat
Mineral King, Sequoia National Park (10/1/16) Leor Pantilat
The Southern Sierra have been hit hard by drought. 60 million conifers have died from bark beetles. As, in a drought, the trees are less able to defend themselves by pushing sap to block infestation by the beetles.
We received a report today that, as a result of the drought, many aspen are so dry at 7,000′ that “they simply shed their leaves.”
And yet, fall color survives. At Sequoia National Park, this past weekend, color spotter Leor Pantilat found a stand of aspen at the base of the mountain that was at peak with brilliant orange mixed in.
He reports that while the aspen are probably past peak by now, cottonwood will peak this week or next, meaning that fall color at Sequoia National Park continues.
California Fall Color is a proponent of looking down, not just up. Leor confirmed that dictum, by noting that the High Sierra was carpeted with red and yellow ground cover.
So, look down as well as up when hiking Mineral King.
Mineral King, Sequoia National Park – Peak (75-100%) to Past Peak GO NOW!
[wunderground location=”Sequoia National Park, CA” numdays=”4″ showdata=”daynames,icon,date,conditions,highlow” layout=”simple”]
http://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.png00John Poimiroohttp://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.pngJohn Poimiroo2016-10-07 07:10:152016-10-07 09:36:06Mineral King Gets Royal
So much attention is given to the Eastern Sierra at the start of each autumn, that Plumas County must feel like the last kid picked to play. But, when Plumas County eventually steps up, it plays big.
At the northern end of the Sierra Nevada, and part of Califoria’s vast Shasta Cascade tourism region, Plumas County is a major leaguer in its own right.
Bigleaf maple, Plumas County (10/5/16) Mike Nellor
Indian Rhubarb, Plumas County (10/5/16) Mike Nellor
The Eastern Sierra has quaking aspen and, well, cottonwood and willows. But Plumas? It’s got aspen, bigleaf maple, cottonwood, black oak, dogwood, willow, alder and gloriously showy Indian rhubarb.
The Eastern Sierra presents grand landscapes, while Plumas has rural charm… white steepled churches embraced by deep orange oaks, barns sitting in a sea of color and those rhubarb draped over the edges and reflected in still streams.
Mike Nellor, a local photographer and color spotter reports that the show is just emerging in Plumas County, with its capital city, Quincy now coloring up at nearby Oakland Camp and the rhubarb, as reported last week, are turning firey orange-red.
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Hikers along the Lundy Canyon Trail (10/2/16) Alicia Vennos
Lundy Canyon (10/2/16) Jeff Simpson
Lundy Canyon (10/2/16) Jeff Simpson
Lundy Canyon (10/2/16) Jeff Simpson
Lundy Canyon (10/2/16) Jeff Simpson
Fall foliage is peaking in Mono County and will continue for two weeks.
Color spotter Alicia Vennos calls the brilliant yellow, orange and red leaves, her county’s “Sierra gold” and recommends visiting Lobdell Lake, Sonora Pass, Green Creek, Lundy Canyon, Parker Lake, and Rock Creek, this week. They are all at full peak and will be aglow through Monday.
Other locations worth viewing are Monitor Pass, Summers Meadow (off Green Creek Road), Lee Vining Canyon, Lundy Canyon Trail, and McGee Canyon.
The West Walker River, Convict Lake, the June Lake Loop, and Little Walker Lake are just starting to show color and should be ready for the weekend of the 15th.
WALKER / COLEVILLE / TOPAZ
Monitor Pass – Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW! Still green in some locations but groves near the top of the pass are peaking.
Lobdell Lake (9,200′) Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW! Colors are absolutely stunning along the road to Lobdell Lake just off Burcham Flat Road. 4WD vehicle necessary – high clearance vehicles ONLY!
Sonora Pass (9,623′) Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW! Last week’s storm blew a few leaves off the trees near the top of the pass. Areas near the Mountain Warfare Training Center near US 395 are a mix of yellow and lime.
Summers Meadow (10/2/16) Jeff Simpson
BRIDGEPORT / VIRGINIA LAKES
Virginia Lakes (9,770′) – Past Peak YOU MISSED IT!
Conway Summit (8,143′) – Patchy – (10 – 50%) – On the verge of a “go now” designation but still mostly green and lime green.
Green Creek (7,500′) Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW! The hike to Green Lake is peak to past peak while colors around the campground and along Green Creek Road will be perfect this week.
Summers Meadow Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW! Foliage along the mountain side are full red and orange while the colors along the road will be perfect in about 7-10 days.
Lobdell Lake Rd (10/2/16) Jeff Simpson
Rodruigez Flat (10/2/16) Jeff Simpson
Little Walker Rd (9/29/16) Jeff Simpson
Little Walker Rd (9/29/16) Jeff Simpson
Little Walker Rd (9/29/16) Jeff Simpson
Lobdell Lake Rd (10/2/16) Jeff Simpson
Lobdell Lake Rd (10/2/16) Jeff Simpson
LEE VINING
Tioga Pass (9,943′) – Past Peak YOU MISSED IT!
Lee Vining Canyon – Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW! Lee Vining Canyon is still very green but the upper elevations around Tioga Lake, Ellery Lake and Saddlebag Lake are in prime viewing condition.
Lundy Lake & Canyon – Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW! Still a little early around the lake and campground. Lundy falls and the beaver ponds are at full peak and will be a perfect hike for this weekend..
BENTON & 120 EAST
Sagehen Meadow – Past Peak YOU MISSED IT!
JUNE LAKE AREA
Parker Lake (8,313′) – Peak (75-100%) to Past Peak GO NOW! or YOU MISSED IT! – This is the weekend to go to Parker Lake. Take the Parker Bench Trail from Silver Lake Resort for a more difficult but worthy fall color experience. Kevin Lennox reports the hike to the lake (2 miles) was past peak, but once at the lake, a rolling peak was occurring where some aspen were still green or lime, while others were yellow and orange. Color at Parker Lake will likely last another week, though don’t delay as “conditions are progressing fast.”
Laurel Canyon (8,500′) – Peak (75-100%) to Past Peak GO NOW! or YOU MISSED IT! – Some areas of Laurel Canyon are now past peak, though large areas of color remain in the aspen groves along the middle section of this 4WD road (high clearance vehicles required or hike it).
Little Walker Road and Lake – Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW! – The Little Walker Lake Road is still a week from full peak. Leaves are turning yellow with patchy lime greens still present. HIKE OF THE WEEK – If you are up for a steep hike, take the trail to Sardine Lake where aspen are in full color.
Silver Lake, June Lake Loop – Patchy (10-50%) – Fall color is starting to spill down from the surrounding hillsides onto the June Lake Loop. Many sections are just starting to turn over to lime green and yellow with few groves ahead of the pack. The aspen grove that lines the western shore at Silver Lake is just starting to shift and should be at full peak within the next ten days, in time for the #SilverLakeInstameet on Oct. 15.
CROWLEY LAKE/McGEE CREEK
McGee Creek Canyon – Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW! The hike to the beaver ponds and beyond are prime for fall color while its still a little patchy around the campground and pack station.
ROCK CREEK CANYON
Upper Rock Creek (10,300′) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! Peak to past peak around the lake and in the high elevation areas. This will be the last few days to catch the color around the lake.
Middle Rock Creek Road – Peak (75-100%) Go Now! Colors along the road and in the campgrounds are at peak color and will be perfect this weekend.
LOWER RATINGS
Patchy (10 – 50%) – Mammoth Lakes Basin, Mammoth Creek Rd., Convict Lake and Canyon, Lower Rock Creek
Just Starting (0-10%) – Walker Canyon, Towns of Walker/Coleville, Twin Lakes, June Lake Loop/Hwy 168, Convict Lake Resort/Campground, Crowley Lake, Lower Rock Creek.
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Groves at Cardinal Village, Bishop Creek (10/2/16) Daniel Stas
A lot changed this week which we were unable to report, due to “technical difficulties.” Fundamentally, high areas of the canyon were at peak on Friday, then conditions deteriorated with North Lake – in particular – taking the biggest hit. Wind stripped the beautiful color on Saturday and it was gone by Sunday.
We weren’t sure, until we’d received confirming reports from several spotters, as some of our very reliable spotters up the canyon were unable to report. Now, I know you all want to know:
Q. “What does this mean for fall color viewing and photography?”
A. Peak color can be seen at many, many areas of Bishop Creek Canyon and throughout the Eastern Sierra. More areas will peak in coming days. So, despite that several favorite areas have peaked, the show isn’t over. Far from it.
Please be mindful, however, of where it’s peaking and avoid fruitless trips to places where it has already peaked. You missed it, there.
In a nutshell, here’s where to go and where not near Bishop, Calif.
North Lake Road, Bishop Creek (10/2/16) Daniel Stas
General Conditions – Bishop Creek Canyon
Above 9000’ – Past Peak YOU MISSED IT!
8,000’ and 9,000’ – Near Peak (50-75%) to Peak (75-100%)
7,000’ to 8,000’ – Patchy (10-50%)
Weir Pond (9,650’) – Past Peak YOU MISSED IT!
Sabrina Lake, Bishop Creek (10/2/16) Daniel Stas
Sabrina Campground Area (9,000’) – Peak ( 75-100%) to Past Peak GO NOW! or YOU MISSED IT! – The aspen along Hwy 168 are now past peak, however aspen within the campground itself and along the stream are still peaking.
Parchers Resort (9,260’) – Past Peak YOU MISSED IT! – The canyon walls to the east and west of the resort are now past peak.
Willow Campground (9,000’) – Peak to Past Peak YOU ALMOST MISSED IT! – The campground and the aspen lining the road and the beaver pond are still holding their peak color, though many have peaked.
Table Mountain Camp (8,900’) – Peak to Past Peak YOU ALMOST MISSED IT! – The mountainside down canyon from the campground is now past peak, though aspen along the creek are peaking.
Surveyors Meadow (8,975’) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! – Surveyor’s meadow is now a mix of peaking and past peak stands. Give it another week of peak color here.
Lake Sabrina (9,150’) – Peak (75-100%) to Past Peak YOU ALMOST MISSED IT!
Sabrina Approach, Bishop Creek (10/2/16) Daniel Stas
Sabrina Approach (9,100’) – Near Peak (50-75%) – The approach to Sabrina and the small ponds below the dam are peaking.
Quaking Aspen, Bishop Creek (10/2/16) Daniel Stas
Quaking Aspen, Bishop Creek (10/2/16) Daniel Stas
Quaking Aspen, Bishop Creek (10/2/16) Daniel Stas
Quaking Aspen, Bishop Creek (10/2/16) Daniel Stas
North Lake (9,255’) – Past Peak YOU MISSED IT!
North Lake Road – Past Peak YOU MISSED IT!
Mist Falls and the groves above Bishop Creek Lodge (8,350’) – Peak ( 75-100%) GO NOW! – Absolutely beautiful. This area has a week or two left of peak color.
Aspendell (8,400’) – Patchy (10-50%)– Aspendell is often one of the last areas of Bishop Creek Canyon to change. This area has many stands of lush aspen in it.
Groves above Cardinal Village (8,550’) – Peak ( 75-100%) GO NOW! – The canyon slope from above Cardinal Village up to Cardinal Pinnacle is losing its peak color, though areas near the middle fork of Bishop Creek and surrounding Cardinal Village are peaking.
Four Jeffries (8,000’) – Patchy (10 – 50%) – More yellow is appearing.
Intake II (8,000’) – Near Peak (50-75%) – Lovely right now!
Big Trees Campground (7,800’) – Patchy – (10 – 50%) – Yellow is now showing among the aspen.
Round Valley – Patchy (10-50%) – Gigi deJong reports that the Round Valley, northwest of Bishop, is carpeted with brilliant cadmium yellow rabbitbrush, providing a spectacular scene, particularly in morning light. Cottonwood along Pine Creek are a mix of developing gold and lime.
http://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.png00John Poimiroohttp://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.pngJohn Poimiroo2016-10-06 12:25:232020-11-04 10:12:28Bishop Creek - Getting Past Peak, But Lots to Enjoy
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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Black oak were at all stages of change in Ventura County’s Los Padres National Forest this past weekend, where Naresh Satyan captured these images.
He found a stand of black oaks along the Thorn Point trail at 5000′-5500′ in the Sespe Wilderness on Saturday. The stand is patchy and Naresh was unsure whether they’d change at once or in waves.
He recommends the 3.46 mi. hike to the Thorn Point fire lookout when it is not hot, as it gains 2,632 ft in elevation. There’s a good dirt road to drive to the trailhead, though it has a couple of spots where high clearance helps (one in his party made it in a Prius). They found lots of bear scat and, of course, it’s rattlesnake country.
The Thorn Point trail is 20 mi. southwest of Frazier Park, 90 mi north of Los Angeles.
The U.S. Forest Service describes Los Padres National Forest as “one of the most botanically diverse National Forests in the United States.” The Sespe Wilderness includes the Sespe Condor Sanctuary within its boundary.
The hike to Parker Lake is absolutely breathtaking, states Mammoth Lakes’ Josh Wray. “With a short climb at the beginning, it’s a perfect warm-up for the 1.8 mile hike to the lake.”
He continues, “After the short uphill section you’ll be hiking along the creek that flows from Parker Lake and the aspen groves along the creek are gorgeous.
“Bring along a hammock or another way to sit and rest, so that you can spend the day by the creek or lake.
“Upon arrival at Parker’s outlet and the main viewpoint, pull out your zoom lens because you’ll want to capture the colors across the far side of the lake. This spot is at full peak so go as soon as you can.
“Also, it is a busy trailhead on weekends. So, if you go this weekend be sure to arrive early, to get one of the few parking spots available, and for early solitude on the trail to Parker Lake.”
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Sometimes you just want to hang out. That’s what Scott Turner did this past weekend, opting to explore McGee Creek Canyon, “as opposed to a mad dash to different color spots.”
He reports McGee Creek Campground is just starting, but “Further up canyon from the trailhead to the bend in the canyon (about 1 mile), the color along the creek is patchy; most of the cottonwoods have turned, but the aspens are a mixture of orange, yellow, and lime.
“Along the trail, shrub aspen that climb the hillside and surround the creek crossing are Peaking or slightly Past Peak, following this weekend’s snow and wind.
“The color gets really good (at Peak, or slightly approaching Peak) at the beaver pond. The color up the hillsides and in the groves surrounding the pond are all at peak with a variety of warm shades turning the entire canyon gold.”
Scott added that the lower reaches of Lee Vining Canyon are just starting. Some aspen along the June Lake Loop look to be turning too, but are still Patchy – somewhere around 25%. Finally, he heard that Fern Lake is peaking.
McGee Creek (10/1/16) Becky
Upper McGee Creek, Mono County – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
Middle McGee Creek, Mono County – Patchy (10-50%)
McGee Campground, Mono County – Just Starting (0-10%)
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Kevin Lennox was at Parker Lake yesterday and reports the hike from the parking lot to the lake (2 miles) was past peak, but once he reached the lake, a rolling peak was occurring where some aspen were still green or lime, while others were yellow and orange. He estimates another week of peak color at Parker Lake, though don’t delay as “conditions are progressing fast.”
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