NY Times Reviews CaliforniaFallColor.com
NY Times reporter Mike McPhate posted a piece today in California Today about our autumn, stating, “That means in California, with its extreme topography, weekend travelers can find their way to fall foliage for much longer.”
CLICK HERE to read Mike’s article.
Also, the NY Times’ California Today has a new feature by which you can post a photo. We recommend sending current photos and ones that show not just inspirational landscapes, but the relationship of people to them. CLICK HERE to be taken to that page.
California Roundup
Color spotters from across California have been contributing their observations. Here’s a roundup of what they’re seeing.
Eastern Sierra
Clayton Peoples spent Sunday in the upper reaches of Bishop Creek Canyon and reports, “Although I agree with color spotter Will Ridgeway on rating the high elevations above Lake Sabrina as “Near Peak” (50-75%), much of Bishop Creek Canyon is still “Patchy” (10-50%)–but that doesn’t mean there isn’t still beautiful color to be found.
“For instance, the upper portion of the groves above Cardinal Village have turned mostly orange. Given a few more days, this subset of aspens will likely be at peak color. Likewise, some of the aspen around Lake Sabrina have begun to turn yellow and/or orange–but will likely need a week or more to reach peak color.
Nevertheless, Clayton predicts there will be “numerous weeks of good color to come in Bishop Creek Canyon as color fills in more fully in the high elevations, then works its way down.” Clayton would assess Bishop Creek Canyon as “Peak of the Week” worthy… and we agree.
Naresh Satyan hiked from South Lake in Bishop Creek Canyon to Green Lake (up to 12,400′) before snow turned him back, yesterday. He reports that aspens along South Lake road are still mostly green and healthy), though he found a few stands surrounding the Parchers Resort that are turning nicely.
The color appears to be best at or above 10,000′ which coincides with a Near Peak (GO NOW!) report we received this past week from Sabrina Lake.
You will, however, find peak color among the willows, grasses and ground covers. That is evident in the photo of Green Lake (11,260′) which Naresh described as “spectacular and well worth the hike to get there.” Of course, be prepared for cold temperatures. A light dusting of snow on the mountains and some lupines still blooming made for an unforgettable hike.
Shasta Cascade
Ruth Hartman reports from Coffee Creek in Trinity County (Shasta Cascade) that color this past week’s cold snap got dogwood turning red and varigated green along Hwy 3 in Trinity County at 3000′. You’ll find it while heading north along the Slate grade, two miles before Tannery Gulch campground. Odd, but we’re seeing the same with planted dogwood at 800′ in elevation, east of Sacramento in El Dorado Hills.
Southern California
Trent Vierra interrupted his morning bike ride, yesterday, to snap a couple of shots of gingko biloba and liquidambar brightening up along 1st St. in the Bluff Heights neighborhood of Long Beach, and commented that he’s been noticing change in color among these exotic species.
That’s typical of liquidambar, though the gingkos tend to keep to a more regular schedule. Still, Trent scores the first “First Report” for Long Beach. While doing that, he also got a shot of a Maine license plate beside emerging California Fall Color… double score.
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.
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 – 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.
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.
The Autumn Hat Trick: Snow, Wildflowers and Fall Color
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%)
NBC on CaliforniaFallColor
NBC believes seeing California Fall Color is “Worth The Trip.” The network’s LA, Bay Area, San Diego and Sacramento stations have been regular followers of CaliforniaFallColor.com and several just posted the above review on their websites.
Thanks NBC’s California affiliates for being such great supporters of CaliforniaFallColor!
Just Starting – Plumas County
For our first report from the Shasta Cascade, color spotter Jeff Luke Titcomb sends these snaps of dogwood and Virginia creepers beginning to show color in the Round Valley Canyon and Taylorsville areas of Plumas County.
Plumas County (3,432′) – Just Starting (0 – 10%) – Look for spots of turning color in Round Valley and near Taylorsville.
Mammoth Lakes – The Fishing’s Great!
Josh Wray of @VisitMammoth made us laugh today with his report that fall color in the Lakes Basin is still so minimal that it’s probably not worth a trip just to see it, though… the fishing is GREAT!
That about sums up the lower elevations in the Eastern Sierra, though color has moved into the Patchy range near 9,000′.
Now, while the Lakes Basin might be better for fishing, the hike Josh and his best friends took showed that light jackets are required… a good sign for fall color futures.
Here’s Josh’s entire report:
Mammoth Lakes Basin (8,500′) – Just Starting (0-10%) – There are a few places where the color is changing but it’s so minimal that I would not recommend making a special trip up there specific to fall color viewing. That being said the fishing is GREAT up there right now.
Lake George (9,000′) – Just Starting
Mammoth Rock (9,100′) – Just Starting (0-10%) -– Some of the hillside is starting to change, but again no big color shifts. We should see this spot and the rest in the area drastically change after this cold snap.
Laurel Meadow (9,000′) – Just Starting (0-10%) – About half way up Laurel Meadow, the high-clearance 4×4 road is starting to show color shifts. It’s still in its early stages, but because it’s above 9,000′, next week there’ll be more to report in a week. CLICK HERE for Instagram shots taken by Emily Summers on 9/19/17.
Rock Creek (9,000′) – Patchy (10-50%) – Upper Rock Creek is the go-to spot in Mono County for anyone looking for “early” fall color. Of course, “early” is relative, as Rock Creek is late compared to where it was in recent years. There are lots of light-green trees, some yellow and even splashes of orange and red among the aspen. In a week this location will be all-time!
Reluctant Aspen in Mono County
Jeff Simpson tells us that the aspen in Mono County “seem a little reluctant to let go of summer.” Like other areas of the Eastern High Sierra, peak color is delayed about a week.
“There is some lovely color beginning along the upper section of Rock Creek Road, Virginia Lakes Road, Lobdell Lake Road and Sagehen Summit. For hikers, there is some great color about 2 miles up McGee Canyon Trail above the first creek crossing. These locations will be the first to show color and will be perfect in the next 5-7 days,” Jeff reports.
And, while the trees are slow in turning color, lots of wildflowers are still blooming near 10,000′, particularly along creek beds in the Saddlebag Lake/Sawmill Campground area.
Virginia Lakes (9,819’) – 10-50% Patchy – The leaves are just starting to turn lime green with the exception of a few early achievers like this grove located near the parking lot of Big Virginia Lake. (And yes, that’s still snow on the mountain from last winter!) 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.
Sagehen Summit (8,139’) – 10-50% Patchy – Sagehen Summit is the closest to a “Go Now” designation in Mono County. Sagehen Meadow is showing a mixture of greens, yellows and oranges with nearby Johnny Meadow equally as close. This will be your best shot at peak colors over the next week.
Upper Rock Creek (9,600’) – 10-50% Patchy – Color is just starting to show up around Rock Creek lake but should be really getting pretty early next week. Take the Mosquito Flats trail, Hilton & Davis Lakes Trail or Tamarack Bench Trail into higher elevations for more color.
Lobdell Lake Road (8,600”) – 10-50% Patchy – Lobdell Lake Road was just getting started on Tuesday with mostly green and lime green foliage. Plan to see the colors here in about 10 days! Note: Burcham Flat Road to Lobdell lake Road are dirt roads – AWD or 4WD vehicles are recommended.
McGee Creek Canyon (8,600’) – 10-50% Patchy – For hikers, there is some great color about 2 miles up McGee Canyon Trail above the first creek crossing. Leaves around the campground and US 395 are still green.
CLICK HERE for a .pdf of the new California’s Eastern Sierra Fall Color Map for Inyo and Mono Counties.
TasteCaliforniaTravel On CaliforniaFallColor
Dan Clark, editor of TasteCaliforniaTravel.com called this week to talk fall color. Dan’s blog combines “what’s great in wine, beer, fine dining, places to stay and places to visit” across California.
Over the years, we’ve traded news about exploring California, and Dan was preparing for autumn.
Today, he published an article about CaliforniaFallColor.com and what makes our autumn so special. To read it and more from TasteCaliforniaTravel, CLICK HERE.
Time Your Trips to These Bishop Events
Want to combine your fall color spotting with a special event? Here’s a list of upcoming events near Bishop (US 395) and what areas are likely to be peaking.
Fourth Week of September
Fall Color is predicted to be patchy to near peak up Bishop Creek Canyon
- 22 – Downtown Bishop Fall Fling- Dine in one of Bishop’s restaurants then stroll to participating shops. Live entertainment, free raffle to win $250 gift certificate.
- 22 – 24 – Annual Pow Wow & California Native American Day Celebration. Parade, traditional dancing, hand games, art & crafts, music, food & more.
- 22 – 24– Slim Princess Reunion, Laws Museum. Southern Pacific narrow-gauge locomotive #18 (the Slim Princess) has been parked in Independence since 1955. This is its coming out party, with the locomotive to run under its own steam for the first time in 63 years. Grounds admission: $10, Children 12 and under, free. Caboose rides: $20 (limited) Advance tickets are now sold out. carsoncolorado.com.
First Week of October
Fall Color is predicted to be near peak to peaking up Bishop Creek Canyon
- 1 – Nov. 15 – Fall Tagged Fish Trout Contest. Catch a specially tagged fish and win a cash prize.
Second Week of October
Fall color is predicted to be past peak at the highest elevations of Bishop Creek Canyon, though near peak to peaking at lower elevations.
- 6 – 7 – Lone Pine Film Festival. Tours, stars, panels, parade, memorabilia dealers, arts & crafts show, music, and more. Museum of Western Film History. (760) 876-9909.
- 7 – Choo Choo Swap Meet – Tri-County Fairgrounds, Bishop. (760) 873-5950.
- 7 – BIG Parking Lot Dance Party. Long Beach’s Elm Street Band will be playing Classic Rock & Roll dance party favorites in the parking lot at Schats Roadhouse. Free.
- 7 – 8 – Owens Valley Cruisers Fall Colors Car Show, Tri-County Fairgrounds in Bishop. owensvalleycruisers.com.
Third Week of October
Fall color is predicted to be past peak in Bishop Creek Canyon, though peaking in the Round Valley to Pine Creek.
- 13 – 15 – VCMC Dual Sport Motorcycle Ride. Organized by Ventura County Motorcycle Club. venturacountymc.com (760) 873-3588
- 13 – 14 – “Romancing the West, How the West was Sung,” a critically acclaimed “Time Traveling Documentary and concert.” Hidden Creeks Ranch, Bishop. RomancingtheWest.org. (760) 873-7750
- 21 – Eastern Sierra Cancer Alliance 5K Fun Run/Walk. 9 a.m., Bishop City Park. (760) 872-3811.
Fourth Week of October
Fall Color is predicted to be peaking in and around Bishop (Buckley Ponds and Rawson Ponds).
- 27 – 29 – Eastern Sierra History Conference – About the people, places, and events that flavored the Eastern Sierra. Field trips and tours of Eastern Sierra cultural and historical sites (additional charges apply). Oct. 28 dinner with local authors. Oct. 29 field trips. $90/adults, $75/seniors, $20/students, includes dinner. Single day: $45/Fri., $65/Sat. Register at ESIA.org, Eventbrite.com. or (760) 873-2411.
- 28 – Downtown Bishop Chocolate Art Walk. Visit shops & galleries, peruse art and taste chocolate treats. 4 – 8 p.m., Free.
First Week of November
Fall Color is predicted to be peaking to past peak in and around Bishop.
- 3 – 5 – American Alpine Club’s Fall Highball Craggin’ Classic. Demos, clinics, film screenings, stewardship. www.cragginclassic.com.
- 4 – Toiyabe Road Run. Register 7:30 – 8:45 a.m. at the Millpond Recreation Center. 5k/10k run starts at 9 AM, 1k walk starts at 9:15. (760) 873-8461.
- 5 – Steel Parade – Caribbean music. 3 p.m. Dorothy Joseph Auditorium, Bishop Union High School. bishopcca.org.