First Report – Page 11 – California Fall Color

First Report: Yucaipa Lakes and Fisherman’s Retreat

Yucaipa Regional Park, Yucaipa (9/10/16) Alena Nicholas

Liquidambar, Yucaipa Regional Park, Yucaipa (9/10/16) Alena Nicholas

California sycamore,Yucaipa Regional Park, Yucaipa (9/10/16) Alena Nicholas

Fisherman’s Retreat, Redlands (9/10/16) Alena Nicholas

Yucaipa Regional Park, Yucaipa (9/10/16) Alena Nicholas

Fisherman’s Retreat, Redlands (9/10/16) Alena Nicholas

From Southern California, color spotter Alena Nicholas sends this first report on Yucaipa Lakes and Fisherman’s Retreat.

Alena has moved to an area within the Inland Empire that is central to the San Bernardino, San Gorgonio and San Jacinto Mountains, giving her the opportunity to explore areas we’ve not had fall color reports from, previously.

Alena writes, the mountains have a number of mesas along the foothills and near mountain bases, “with a crazy variety of trees that will turn this fall!”

This weekend, she visited Yucaipa Regional Park in Yucaipa where three small lakes are surrounded by exotic and native deciduous trees. Several types of water birds can be seen, as well.

At this point, while a little yellow is showing, the trees are mostly still green or lime. However, Alena sees a lot of promise, and recommends exploring the area’s oak woodland valley that is coursed by a stream that runs for 10+ miles.

Yucaipa Regional Park is not far from I-10 with nice campsites for RVs or tents, picnic day areas, shoreline for fishing and many hiking trails.

South of Yucaipa in Redlands on San Timoteo Canyon Rd. is Fisherman’s Retreat. As its name implies Fisherman’s Retreat is a great place for families and catching catfish. It also has similar stands of deciduous trees prime for a show this autumn.

Just Starting (0-10%) – Yucaipa Lakes and Fisherman’s Retreat.

September 11, 2016/by John Poimiroo

First Report: Jenks Lake and Barton Flats Rec. Area

Jenks Lake ((9/3/16) Alena Nicholas

Alena Nicholas reports exploring new areas in the San Bernardino Mountains, today, the Barton Flats Recreation Area adjacent to Jenks Lake.

This area has a variety of trees “that should be beautiful during peak season,” including black oak, creek dogwood, chokecherry, Rocky Mtn maple, bigleaf maple, white alder, black cottonwood and Frémont cottonwood. Alena says “things are just starting to turn a bit” at 6,500′ in elevation.

Frémont cottonwood, Barton Flats Rec. Area (9/3/16) Alena Nicholas

Barton Flats Rec. Area (9/3/16) Alena Nicholas

Jenks Lake (9/3/16) Alena Nicholas

The area has several small lakes and ponds, creeks and streams.

“Aspen Meadow” is closeby. Last October, California Fall Color reported that aspen would be the first trees to recover near Big Bear Lake following the Summer’s Lake fire, and that appears to be happening, according to Alena’s report.

A ranger at the Barton Flats Rec. Area said “the aspens are about six to seven feet tall and filling in very nice.” Alena promises to “take a trip there soon, as there’re some nice meadows and streams there.”

Look for several First Reports this autumn from this color spotter, both from the mountains and lowlands.

Also, these shots again show what you can capture with a cell phone, though Alena promises to start carrying the big gun, once the color fills in.

Just Starting (10-15%) Jenks Lake and Barton Flats, San Bernardino Mountains (6,500′)

September 3, 2016/2 Comments/by John Poimiroo

First Report, Statewide

The Low Down on Down Low

Chinese pistache, Watsonville (8/21/16) Chuck Eads

For the past week and a half, we’ve received a flush of reports of near peak fall color appearing down low (Oakland, Berkeley, Watsonville, Salinas, San Diego), though spots of color have been reported up high, too (Eastern Sierra, San Bernardino Mountains).

So, what’s the low down on color that’s down low?

Almost all the early peak color seen at lower elevations so far (with the exception of Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve in San Diego) has appeared on non-native trees, whereas native trees appear to be developing normally.

Every year, we get reports of trees with early color. Often the trees happen to be exotics (non-native), like the liquidambar that LA Leaf Peeper reported as fringed with red in June.

Does this mean an earlier autumn? We suspect not. Early change is more likely a product of a particular environment, locale or specie, than it is a harbinger of an early autumn, statewide.

Our recommendation to see the best color is to plan travel to see fall color in California, as normally. The best way to do this is to use this site as a research tool, by looking back at the area you want to visit (category) or date when you plan to visit (archives).

Notice when the color was at peak at a given location during the past five years, then pick an average date for past peaks, or find locations where it was peaking when you can travel and go there.

With either approach, your choice should be very close to peak color. And, that’s the low down on traveling to see the best fall color in California.

Near Peak (50-75%) – Watsonville Community Hospital (Go Now!)

August 25, 2016/by John Poimiroo

First Report, San Diego County

First Report: Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve

California sycamore, Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve (8/21/16) Sweetshade Lane

Color spotter Sweetshade Lane tweeted seeing subtle color at Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve in San Diego, thereby scoring the first “First Report” of the season.

California sycamore, Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve (8/21/16) Sweetshade Lane

Frémont cottonwood, Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve (8/21/16) Sweetshade Lane

The preserve covers some 4,000 acres in the Peñasquitos (meaning little cliffs) and Lopez canyons of San Diego. It is an area with stark beauty and prehistoric cultural sites that date back over 7,000 years.

Los Peñasquitos Canyon was part of the first Mexican land grant in San Diego County. Tours of the historic Santa Maria de Los Peñasquitos Adobe are available to school groups and the public.

The canyon is renowned as a nature preserve containing geologic formations, over 500 plant species including several landmark trees and 175 birds, as well as many reptiles, amphibians and mammals.

Los Peñasquitos Canyon’s Frémont cottonwood have begun revealing golden leaves, while the twisted limbs of California sycamore are laden with equally twisted chartreuse and rose-colored leaves, providing sculptural detail to the scene.

Just Starting (0-10%) – Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve

August 24, 2016/by John Poimiroo

First Report, Inland Empire

First Report: Fall Is In The Air at Oak Glen

Oak Glen (8/21/16) Alena Nicholas

San Bernardino Mountains color spotter Alena Nicholas visited Oak Glen in the San Gorgonio Range, yesterday. Her report shows that fall is definitely in the air.

Oak Glen (8/21/16) Alena Nicholas

Alena’s drive was above the “snow line” area of Oak Glenn Preserve (First Report) where color is nice in areas up high, but still pretty green down lower. She reported that hikers are out enjoying the cooler temperatures, diners and shoppers are enjoying the mountains’ restaurants and stores, and there are workers in the orchards and farms. Alena added that there are not nearly as many visitors now, “as during the ‘Harvest’ time, but still a good number all the same.”

Alena took these images with a cell phone. She apologizes that the quality “isn’t all that good, but at least can give you an idea.” Though we note that today’s Apple and Samsung mobile phones take lovely photos, as these illustrate.

What Alena is mentioning is that while the exposures and color are good, the definition is less than found in a camera with a larger sensor and lens. Still, we welcome seeing photos taken with cell phones, as some very good photography is being taken with them.

Just Starting (0-10%) – San Bernardino Mountains/San Gorgonio Range

August 22, 2016/by John Poimiroo

Fall Color Report, First Report, San Diego County, The Deserts

First Report: Borrego Springs – Desert Surprise

Chamber’s Park, Julian (10/31/15) Patricia Costa

As long as we’re desert-minded, color spotter Patricia Costa visited Borrego Springs this past weekend for the first time and reports she was “pleasantly surprised.”

Most people bypass Borrego Springs for Palm Springs, she writes, which is why “this place is sooooo nice!”

Chamber’s Park, Julian (10/31/15) Patricia Costa

Patricia, we’ll forgive you for telling the world… or at least our readers… of the quiet beauty to be found in this special corner of Southern California, and we promise – as you requested – to “let’s keep this low, so just a few people enjoy.”

Did you read that folks, BORREGO SPRINGS! It’s BEAUTIFUL!! and UNCROWDED!!! and… Oops! We’re supposed to be keeping it low. Sorry, Patricia… we just got carried away.

Anyway, Patricia took State Highways 78 and 79 through Julian where she says there are “some very good colors already.” Between Julian and Decanso there’s more color, though give it a week or two to near peak.

Chamber’s Park at Lake Cuyamaca in Julian is showing peak yellow and red on exotics along shore, though other nearby trees are still patchy.

For those looking to drive a scenic backroad, we recommend the Sunrise Highway (S1) southwest of Julian through the Cleveland National Forest and passing Mt. Laguna, where black oak are often glowing in early November.

This is a scenic country drive in the high desert of San Diego County, not too curvy and 40 mph average along the route. You’ll find refreshing stops in Mt. Laguna and Julian. If you go, send us pictures and a report.

Patchy (10-50%) – Julian and Borrego Springs – Give it a week.

November 3, 2015/2 Comments/by John Poimiroo

Fall Color Report, First Report, Shasta Cascade

Upper Lassen and Shasta Counties Move Past Peak

Middle McCloud Falls (10/24/15) Dotty Molt

Color Spotter Dotty Molt took a road trip last week up to the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon. Along the route she took, Dotty spent a few hours in Shasta County, then continued north and back.

She reports that Susanville, Lassen Peak and Mt. Shasta are now past peak with much of the route visibly diminished by drought.

She writes, “The effects of drought are everywhere, even up in Oregon. The leaves are kind of crunchy orange, brown and muted yellow, with black spots.

“McCloud Falls, near Mt. Shasta is still beautiful, but smaller than I expected, and the foliage around it is past peak, especially in the streams,” she continues, scoring a First Report for her photo of Middle McCloud Falls.

Smoke has filled the air and cast a blue haze across many areas, making photos appear foggy. Dotty notes that the color can be adjusted in post processing, though the smoke “makes everything look dull.”

Past Peak YOU MISSED IT! – Susanville

Past Peak YOU MISSED IT! – Lassen Peak

Past Peak YOU MISSED IT! – Mt. Shasta – Some good color remains to be captured near middle McCloud Falls, but not for long.

October 25, 2015/1 Comment/by John Poimiroo

Fall Color Report, First Report, Shasta Cascade

First Report: Scott Valley

Scott Valley (10/21/15) Ruth Hartman

Not to be confused with the better-known Santa Cruz Mountain town of Scotts Valley, Scott Valley is located in western Siskiyou County in the northern Shasta Cascade Region.

Like many Shasta Cascade communities, Scott Valley is lightly populated and wild country. The Marble Mountains provide the valley’s backdrop. This area was once a renowned beaver trapping area. Trapper Stephen Meek was reported to have trapped 1,800 beaver in 1850, naming the valley as the best beaver valley in the nation. It later attracted miners during California’s gold rush.

The sleepy ranch towns of Ft. Jones (once a frontier Army post), Etna and Greenview are found here, along with their white steepled churches and spots of bright fall color. Ruth Hartman of the Coffee Creek Ranch says the color is almost past peak, though sends these cell phone images, promising to return next year.

Peak GO NOW! (75-100%) – Scott Valley – The color is just about past peak.

October 22, 2015/by John Poimiroo

Fall Color Report, First Report, Peak of the Week, Shasta Cascade

First Report: Black Oaks of the Thompson Valley

Black Oak, Thompson Valley (10/18/15) Mike Nellor

Black oak, Thompson Valley (10/18/15) Mike Nellor

Plumas County color spotter Mike Nellor scores a First Report with these shots of barns in the Thompson Valley.

Located southeast of Quincy, the Thompson Valley is ranch country, with lots of cattle grazing and big black oaks edging the pastures. Many backroads lead to stands of black oak and bigleaf maple. Mike reports this area as 60% peaked, and it should be full peak by Halloween.

Near Peak GO NOW! (50-75%) – Thompson Valley, Plumas County

October 19, 2015/by John Poimiroo

Fall Color Report, First Report, High Sierra

First Report: Majestic Mineral King

Mineral King (10/16/15) Frank McDonough

Frank McDonough usually does his fall color reporting from the Los Angeles County Arboretum & Gardens, but found himself in Mineral King this week, as storms rolled past.

He had the presence of mind to sent back these powerful images and score a First Report for majestic Mineral King, a subalpine glacier valley at the southern end of Sequoia National Park in the southern Sierra Nevada.

Past Peak YOU MISSED IT! – Mineral King – Quaking aspen appear to be past peak, though willows, grasses and shrubbery color Mineral King with bright gold, yellow, orange and lime.

October 16, 2015/2 Comments/by John Poimiroo

First Report: Yucaipa Lakes and Fisherman’s Retreat

First Report: Jenks Lake and Barton Flats Rec. Area

The Low Down on Down Low

First Report: Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve

First Report: Fall Is In The Air at Oak Glen

First Report: Borrego Springs – Desert Surprise

Upper Lassen and Shasta Counties Move Past Peak

First Report: Scott Valley

First Report: Black Oaks of the Thompson Valley

First Report: Majestic Mineral King

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