Mushrooms in Arcata make for fun color patches (10/21/23) Michelle Pontoni
Take a fall drive from Santa Rosa to Arcata and you just might be as lucky as color spotter Michelle Pontoni last Friday, October 20.
Pontoni reports that color searchers can find a little burst of yellow and orange among the evergreens around each corner driving north from Willits into Humboldt County.
“The vineyards range from full green to brilliant multicolored,” she says. “There’s still time to enjoy the fall.”
Additionally, Pontoni reported from Arcata on Oct. 21.
“These are fun little color patches and are popping up all over in our super moist forests,” she explained of the happy little mushrooms growing in the region. Fall color can come in all shapes and sizes.
Highway 101 north of Willits (10/20/23) Michelle Pontoni
Highway 101 north of Willits (10/20/23) Michelle Pontoni
http://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.png00Lara Kaylorhttp://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.pngLara Kaylor2023-10-23 21:20:152023-10-23 21:39:19Color is Humming in Humboldt County
Color spotter Michael Beatley got out last Friday morning and hiked the Cascades Trail. It is 5 miles west of Quincy via Hwy 70 to Old Hwy. According to Beatley, it may be the most beautiful trail in the Quincy area, and after looking at his photos, we couldn’t agree more.
Running above Spanish Creek for 3 miles from Old Hwy. to Barlow Road, the historic trail is lined with Big Leaf maples, dogwood, alder, and Darmera.
“It is so very beautiful at 100% for the maples and 50% for the Darmera,” Beatley said. “Time to go is now within the next few days.
Cascade Trail (10/20/23) Michael Beatley
Cascade Trail with Darmera and Maple (10/20/23) Michael Beatley
A tiny portion of the thousands of salmon present in Taylor Creek. (10/20/23) Clayton Peoples
Color spotter Clayton Peoples has done it again with his great capture of the salmon run in Taylor Creek in the Lake Tahoe area, and the other wildlife surrounding the show.
Peoples visited Tahoe on October 20 and found much of the area in GO NOW peak condition (75-100%), especially in the Taylor Creek area.
“This assessment is largely based on the leaves,” according to Peoples, “but it’s also based on another cherished tradition that only comes around in autumn: the salmon run!”
“Every year, in autumn, Kokanee Salmon make their way up Taylor Creek from Lake Tahoe to spawn. This spectacle alone is well worth a visit.”
However, as Peoples also captured, the salmon run often brings other sights that can make a visit truly special. Bald Eagles can be seen soaring over the area and catching the salmon for dinner, and California Black Bears frequently enter the creek for a snack.
“During my visit today, I observed that the salmon run was in full force,” Peoples said. “It’s difficult to estimate, but I would say there were thousands of salmon present. Moreover, I was fortunate to see a Bald Eagle soaring overhead and four (4!) bears fishing for salmon.”
Lucky for us, Peoples likes to share what he captures.
Bears come out to Taylor Creek for a salmon snack (10/20/23) Clayton Peoples
Fall colors and salmon at Taylor Creek (10/20/23) Clayton Peoples
Bald Eagles also enjoy salmon for dinner (10/20/23) Clayton Peoples
http://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.png00Lara Kaylorhttp://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.pngLara Kaylor2023-10-23 06:40:552023-10-23 06:40:59Treats From Taylor Creek
The fall color is all lit up along the trail to Paradise Meadow in Lassen Volcanic National Park, according to color spotter and Park Guide, Shanda Ochs.
Ochs got out on a beautiful fall color hike on Oct. 18 to Paradise Meadow where all foliage was at peak.
“Primary shrubs in the photos are Mountain Alder and Pacific Willow,” Ochs says. “These line the edges of the meadow where water is flowing into Hat Creek which originates on the flanks of Lassen Peak. The meadow foliage is primarily a mix of sedges and grasses with shrubs and forbs scattered throughout.”
“I went in late afternoon when the lower sunlight made the colors pop even more. This hike begins at the Hat Creek Trailhead and ascends 700 feet in elevation with the meadow at 7100 feet. The round trip distance is 2.8 miles.”
http://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.png00Lara Kaylorhttp://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.pngLara Kaylor2023-10-22 21:32:022023-10-22 21:32:04Lighting Up in Lassen
Cold Creek Campground Sierraville (10/21/23) Philip Reedy
Longtime color contributor and talented photographer, Philip Reedy took a drive yesterday, Oct. 21 to get a feel for colors in the Northern Sierra. He scored some great shots and some great information. This is another GO NOW location.
Reedy left Davis at 4:30 yesterday morning in order to be north of Truckee before the sun came up. His first stop was the Little Truckee River along Jackson Lake Road. “The trees are definitely at peak, so this is the weekend to go,” he says. “I also headed upstream to Webber Falls, which is near the headwaters of the Little Truckee. A beautiful spot and a beautiful morning as well.”
Reedy then headed on north a few miles toward Sierraville and Cold Creek Campground. He noted that the aspens along the highway and at the campground are peaking right now and look great. In another week he expects a lot of the leaves to have fallen, so this is another GO NOW!
Cold Creek Campground Sierraville (10/21/23) Philip Reedy
Webber Falls on the Little Truckee River (10/21/23) Philip Reedy
Little Truckee River-Jackson Meadow Road (10/21/23) Philip Reedy
Highway 89 South of Sierraville (10/21/23) Philip Reedy
http://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.png00Lara Kaylorhttp://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.pngLara Kaylor2023-10-22 12:48:432023-10-22 12:57:29Colors Are Truckin' Along Near Truckee
Color spotter Dave Pabinquit sent us a special treat this week with his fall color report from the sky. Dave took aerial images from the Bishop and Mammoth Lakes areas for a unique take on fall colors. As he says, “Aerial images provide such a unique perspective than when our feet are planted on terra ferma and taking images.” His report follows.
In my opinion, there is still a mixture of fall colors to see in the Eastern Sierra. I’ll detail what I observed in the areas that I visited on Monday and Tuesday (Oct. 16 and 17). Some areas are past peak, others at peak and a few areas starting to peak. Most notably, the majestic Cottonwoods around Bishop and Round Valley are starting to show color starting at their top branches.
Cabin near Laurel Creek area (10/17/23) Dave Pabinquit
Bishop Creek Tributary: South and North Lake, Sabrina
The majority of North Lake and the surrounding area is past peak. There is still a little bit of color to emerge on the north slope of the lake….just a bit. From the North Lake Rd. up to Sabrina, there are still pockets of color mixed in with areas that are past peak. The best peak color to be seen is on South Lake Rd around Mist Falls (above and below) and will not last long, maybe not into next week. Pockets of color in Surveyor Meadow, along with past peak.
Pine Creek: Is on the west edge of Round Valley just outside of Bishop and Sherwin Grade. Aspens and Cottonwoods are mixed together all along Pine Creek up to the Italy Pass Trailhead. The glacial carve is impressive.
McGee Creek: Is at peak, go now. Color may be past peak next week.
Crowley Lake Rd: West side of 395 opposite Crowley Lake all the way down to Tom’s Place is a colorful drive showing color in those communities along Crowley Lake Rd.
Laurel Creek: A ribbon of peak color is just south of Mammoth in Laurel Creek where groves of Aspens are in peak color. There are some no trespassing areas but that does not apply to airspace.
http://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.png00Lara Kaylorhttp://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.pngLara Kaylor2023-10-20 15:51:032023-10-20 16:02:27Fall From the Sky
Color spotter Jeff Titcomb has been religiously documenting the Mountain maple trees at the Quincy Airport this season. Per the usual, the tree on the right side of the photo is progressing quicker than the tree to the left.
Over the years, between color spotters and californiafallcolor.com Founder John Poimiroo, it was determined that the tree on the right is receiving more light and therefore changing more quickly.
An article by Brent Cook, titled How a Tree Grows, explains, “If you’ve ever seen a tree that has green leaves on one side and red, orange, or yellow leaves on the other, it was probably a result of different amounts of sunlight. In the northern hemisphere, leaves that are on the southwest side of a tree will receive much more sunlight than leaves on the opposite side. Leaves near the top of a tree will also receive more sunlight than leaves at the bottom of the canopy. Consequently, phytochrome (photoreceptors) will trigger abscission (fall color) sooner in leaves getting more sunlight.”
While it seems a bit counterintuitive, it sure makes for interesting fall photos.
http://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.png00Lara Kaylorhttp://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.pngLara Kaylor2023-10-20 10:04:152023-10-20 10:07:41Light Makes It Just Right
Picture perfect on La Porte Road (10/17/23) Jeff Titcomb
In Plumas County, the foliage is at about 80% on Hwy 36 toward Lassen and off of Highway 32 it is about 75%.
Color spotter Jeff Titcomb reports that things are still looking good on La Porte Road in Quincy and in Quincy, itself.
There are yellow big leaf maples, ornamental maples, and pretty lilac leaves. The oaks are just starting, the rhubarb is still green and the aspens are almost done.
Fall colors seen from St Bernard Lodge (10/16/23) Anonymous
http://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.png00Lara Kaylorhttp://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.pngLara Kaylor2023-10-19 11:45:102023-10-19 11:45:30Peaking in Parts of Plumas
As of October 18, fall is still happening in Inyo County and the Owens Valley is absolutely beautiful right now, according to color spotter Betsy Forsyth. This weekend will most likely be your last chance, so GO NOW!
South Lake (10/18/23) Betsy Forsyth
Bishop Creek Canyon is almost all at peak or past peak. It was beautiful on Oct. 18, but a strong wind could definitely change the scene very quickly, as many of the trees are fully yellow and ready to drop their leaves soon. There are still a few green trees up there, but for the most part, these are likely the final days to catch much of the color in the area. The majority of North Lake and the surrounding area is past peak. There is still a little bit of color to emerge on the north slope of the lake, but just a bit. From the North Lake Rd up to Sabrina, there are still pockets of color mixed in with areas that are past peak. The best peak color to be seen is on South Lake Rd around Mist Falls (above and below) and will not last long, maybe not into next week.
Pine Creek Canyon on the other hand has some beautiful colors right now. Aspens and Cottonwoods are mixed together all along Pine Creek up to the Italy Pass Trailhead.
Southern Inyo County
Lots of yellows on the cottonwoods in the valleys and aspen in the high country.
Lone Pine (3,727′) – (10-50%)
Alabama Hills (4,534′) – 50-75% – Near Peak (Go Now!)
Whitney Portal (8,375′) – Peak/Past Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
Mt Whitney Trail (8,360′ to 14,505”) – Peak/Past Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
Independence (3,930′) -(10-50%)
Onion Valley (9,600′) – (10-50%)
Big Pine Creek (7,660′) – 50-75% – Near Peak (Go Now!)
Big Pine (3,989′) – (10-50%)
Bishop Creek Canyon
Bishop Creek Canyon is almost all at peak or past peak. There are a few small areas of green leaves, but pretty much all of the trees have yellow leaves on them, or have dropped all of their leaves. That said, there are some really beautiful spots. The warmer temperatures are coming to an end this weekend, and a big wind will definitely blow most of the color onto the ground, so hurry if you are hoping to catch colors up here.
South Fork, Bishop Creek
South Lake (9,768′) – Peak/Past Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
Weir Pond (9,650′) – Peak/Past Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
Parcher’s Resort (9,260′) – Near Peak (50-75%) Go Now.
Willow Campground (9,000′) – Past peak, you missed it.
Surveyor’s Meadow (8,975′) – Past peak, you missed it.
Table Mountain Camp (8,900′) – Past peak, you missed it.
Mountain Glen Camp (8,850′) – Near Peak (50-75%) Go Now. Some of the trees have peaked here, but there is still a lot of beautiful color to be found.
Mist Falls and the Groves Above Bishop Creek Lodge (8,350′) – Peak/Past Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! There are still a few greens, but most of the aspen are peaking and very near past peak now.
Four Jeffries (8,000′) – Peak/Past Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! This area changed so much in the past week! Right above Four Jeffries there are still some green stands of aspen, but probably not for long.
Owens Valley (10/17/23) Betsy Forsyth
Middle Fork, Bishop Creek
Lake Sabrina (9,150′) – Peak/Past Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! There are still colors up at Lake Sabrina! They may not last for long, so hurry!
Sabrina Approach (9,100′) – Peak/Past Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
Sabrina Campground (9,000′) – Past peak, you missed it.
Groves Above Cardinal Village (8,550′) – Peak/Past Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! The upper part of the canyon above Cardinal Village is past peak, while the lower part is at peak. Again, beautiful, but likely not going to last very long.
Intake II (8,000′) – Peak/Past Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! This area really is mostly past peak. There are still leaves on many of the trees, but falling quickly. There is a beautiful section of trees past the lake near the campground.
Big Trees Campground (7,800′) – Near Peak (50-75%) Go Now. The top of the canyon is at peak, while the lower areas of Big Trees still has yellows and greens.
Bishop
Bishop (4,150′) – Near Peak (50-75%) Go Now. Closer to 50%, Many of the trees in town have some yellows, especially in the upper sections of the trees. There are some trees that have quite a bit of color to them. It’s quite beautiful!!
Buckley Ponds (4,150′) – Near Peak (50-75%) Go Now.
Rawson Ponds (4,150′) – Near Peak (50-75%) Go Now.
Owens Valley (4,000′) – Near Peak (50-75%) Go Now. Yellows in the upper parts of many the cottonwoods throughout the Owens Valley. Some trees are almost completely yellow. It’s really beautiful.
Northern Inyo County
Lower Rock Creek Rd (7,087′) – Peak/Past Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
Round Valley (4,692′) – Near Peak (50-75%) Go Now. It’s really beautiful throughout the Owens Valley. There are yellows in most of the upper parts of the cottonwoods. The rabbit brush is beautiful as well (so long as it’s not causing your allergies to flare up 😉 !)
Lower Pine Creek Canyon (7,000′) – Near Peak (50-75%) Go Now. There are more yellows throughout the canyon. Still some green trees as well.
Pine Creek Pack Station (7,.400′) – Peak/Past Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! This canyon is beautiful. There are beautiful yellow aspen at the top, and everything else along the way is mostly yellow, with a few green aspen groves still holding onto their green.
It’s peak week in Mono County, reports color spotter Jeff Simpson! All remaining locations are currently peaking with the exception of the cottonwood trees in Antelope Valley, which are still currently in the 50-75% range. With perfect weather on deck for the next 7-10 days, now’s the time to get out for the fall color display.
The June Lake Loop, Lundy Canyon, Lower Lee Vining Canyon, Convict Lake, McGee Creek, Twin Lakes Bridgeport and Crowley Lake are all beaming with color and should be fantastic for the next 7-10 days. It’s go time for these spots.
Conway Summit and Summers Meadows were incredible last week but are now starting to lose their leaves and brilliance. It’s still worth a stop but they are rapidly approaching past peak.
The towns of Walker, Coleville and Topaz are the only other locations in the 50-75% category with green foliage mostly covering the cottonwood trees in the valley. This will be the last location to peak in Mono County and should last into the first week of November.
The high-elevation locations are now past peak. They include Tioga Pass, Monitor Pass, Virginia Lakes, Bodie Hills, Rock Creek Lake, Sonora Pass, Sagehen Summit and Lobdell Lake. Put these on your bucket list for early October next year!
The Mammoth Lakes Basin is looking beautiful. Hard to believe they will be skiing again in a few short weeks. (10/13/23) Samantha Lindberg
Everyone is on board for some leaf-peeping this weekend. Convict Lake (10/17/23) Samantha Lindberg
WALKER / COLEVILLE /TOPAZ Monitor Pass (8,314′) – Past Peak West Walker River, Walker, Coleville and Topaz (5,200′) 50-75% Near Peak – The West Walker River is around 75% with Walker, Coleville and Topaz still being pretty green. Lobdell Lake Road (9,274′) Past Peak
BRIDGEPORT / VIRGINIA LAKES Twin Lakes (7,000′) 75-100 GO NOW! – Brilliant color around both upper and lower lakes. The grove near Honeymoon flat Campground is now past peak. Bodie Hills (9,419′) Past Peak Virginia Lakes (9,819’) – Past Peak Conway Summit (8,143) 75-100% GO NOW! Some groves have lost their leaves while other groves have been dulled. Still a lot of beautiful sections along the hillside. Summers Meadow (7,200′) 75-100% GO NOW! Still a lot of great color with other sections now past peak.
LEE VINING Tioga Pass (9,943′) Past Peak Lee Vining Canyon (6,781′) 75-100% GO NOW! Great color from the ranger station up the valley! Lundy Lake & Canyon (7,858′) 75-100% GO NOW! Still some sections of green but incredible along the campground and lake.
BENTON & 120 EAST Sagehen Summit (8,139’) Past Peak
JUNE LAKE LOOP June Lake Loop/Hwy 158 (7,654′) 75-100% GO NOW! Still some sections of green but should be perfect for this weekend and the foreseeable future. This is one of the most iconic fall color spots in Mono County. Don’t miss out on the fall brilliance here!
MAMMOTH LAKES Mammoth Lakes Basin (8,996′) 75-100% GO NOW! – Some aspens around Twin Lakes are past peak but there is still lots of color throughout the basin.
CROWLEY LAKE/McGEE CREEK/CONVICT LAKE McGee Creek Canyon (8,600’) 75-100% GO NOW! Great color the closer you get to US 395! Around Crowley community (6,781′) 75-100% GO NOW! Wonderful spectrum of colors cascading down the hill to the lake level. Convict Lake (7850′) 75-100% GO NOW! Brilliant color all around the lake with some green still on the back side.
ROCK CREEK CANYON Rock Creek Road (9,600’) Past Peak (Some color may be sticking around the lower section of the road.)
LAUREL CREEK
A ribbon of peak color is just south of Mammoth Lakes in Laurel Creek.
http://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.png00Lara Kaylorhttp://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.pngLara Kaylor2023-10-19 10:51:542023-10-19 10:52:21A Bit More Time in Mono
