The Color of Autumn
The color of autumn in 2015 is tinted by smoke, as color spotter Walt Gabler saw today looking west from Ukiah at 6 p.m. He reported that smoke from Lake County’s Valley Fire hangs heavy over Mendocino County, all the way to the coast.
Our autumn outing today was into the Sierra foothills of El Dorado County, where smoke from the Butte fire fouled the air and made eyes sting. Pockets of bigleaf maple along Newtown Road, north of Placerville, are beginning to turn yellow. They don’t usually show until October.
CaliforniaFallColor.com is reluctant to report that autumn is appearing earlier than usual, because most of the areas reported so far as having dropped leaves or showing early color, were because of localized diseases or conditions (e.g., excessive dryness in a given area). Increasingly however, in specific areas there are indications that this autumn may be arriving sooner than in past years, perhaps in response to our fourth year of drought.
A report will be posted tomorrow from Bishop Creek in the Eastern Sierra that supports this view. In the meantime, breathe easily.
Patchy (10 – 50%) – Newtown Road, El Dorado County – A few pockets of bigleaf maple are showing early color.
Just Starting (0 – 10%) – Mendocino County
Temporary New Look
CaliforniaFallColor.com apologizes to our readers for the recurring Internal Server Errors, which have kept users from seeing the site, off and on.
We’ve been working hard to find the cause of the problem and suspect it may be our graphical theme.
So, for the next few days the familiar black and orange theme of the site will be removed and replaced with another look in order to see if that could be what’s creating the problem.
We hope to have our theme colors back up, as soon as possible. In the meantime, keep looking for fall color!
Mt Shasta Begins to Perc
Color is appearing among shoreline maples at Lake Siskiyou near Mt. Shasta. Cory Poole documented it with this snap.
0 – 10% – Mt. Shasta – Color starting.
Mammoth Lakes Just Starting
Color spotter Josh Wray reports that willows are approaching peak and aspen are just starting to color in the Mammoth Lakes area. Seen above is Lake George which Josh reports as 20% turned.
Josh’s photos show some of the wildfire-created haze that is smothering points throughout the High Sierra. Smoke is dampening the brightness of the color.
0 – 10% – Twin Lakes, Mammoth Lakes – Aspen are just starting to change from deep green to lime green and soft yellow.
10 – 50% – Lake George, Mammoth Lakes – Willows are deep orange-yellow and aspen are starting to show yellow.
10 – 50% – Old Mammoth Road, Mammoth Lakes – At the lower end of the fall color scale, this area’s aspen are now exhibiting yellow and lime.
0 – 10% – Mammoth Creek – Still vibrant green, the aspen here are not yet showing lime or yellow.
Black Leaf Spot Damages Northern Sierra Aspen
A road trip to Lake Tahoe, then north on CA-89 from Truckee to Lake Davis weekend was an eye opener, this Labor Day weekend.
As previously reported, the “black leaf spot” fungus that has decimated quaking aspen groves atop Monitor Pass and in parts of the Hope Valley gets worse as you drive north on CA-89. In some locations, aspen have lost all their leaves, while in most groves about half the trees have been affected. This photo shows the contrast of a stand of aspen that has lost nearly all its leaves, near aspen and cottonwood that are full of deep green foliage.
What this means for the fall color spotter is that in areas where black leaf spot has hit, the show will be reduced by half. Here’s a rundown of locations visited:
- Lake Tahoe (6,200′) from South Lake Tahoe (Camp Richardson) and along the west and north shores of Lake Tahoe, aspen are drier than seen in previous years, but the groves were not hit as hard by black leaf spot infestations, as seen at higher elevations south and north of the lake.
- CA-267 (Kings Beach to Truckee) – The stand of aspen that surrounds a weathered, one-room ranch house at 6,600′ (a popular photo workshop and wedding photography location) has lost many of its leaves. Some have begun turning. The grove is dry. Willows are peaking orange yellow.
- CA-89 (Truckee to Sierraville) – Black leaf spot has hit aspen groves that grow beside the Little Truckee River at several points, with some groves completely denuded of leaves and the aspen look to be dead. The healthiest trees are seen at Cold Creek Campground, though stands of verdant aspen are found near creeks and the river in all the campgrounds.
- Lake Davis/Portola – Aspen are dry but severe damage from black leaf spot was not noticed.
Weather conditions in late spring and early summer were ideal for the formation of black leaf spot fungus. The U.S. Forest Service reports that, “Epidemic conditions are intensified by abundant rainfall in the spring and summer, possibly followed by warm temperatures for about 1 week.” That is exactly what happened this year.
Piled atop this unusual bloom of fungus in Northern Sierra aspen groves is that the effect of four years of drought is evident throughout the forest. Many aspen and alder leaves are dry and have very little flexibility. Ponderosa and Jeffrey pine, Douglass, white and red fir and incense cedar (such as at Alder Creek) appear stressed; bunches of brown needles are seen in many of the trees.
Our experience has been that where trees are healthy and robust, good fall color appears. But, where trees are dry or diseased, the show is short-lived and disappointing. If you enjoy visiting or photographing fall color in the areas mentioned in this report, time your visit when it peaks during a year like this one, when drought and disease have stressed the forest.
0 – 10% – Lake Tahoe – Aspen groves are just beginning to turn color. Most of the groves are drier than usual, with some having lost leaves.
0 – 10% – CA-267 (Spooner Summit) – Willows are at full peak with orange yellow leaves. Aspen have begun to lose leaves, some are beginning to show color change, black leaf spot fungus affects about a third of the stands, which are drier than usual.
0 – 10% – CA-89 (Little Truckee River) – Half the aspen have lost leaves or are afflicted with black leaf spot. The remaining stands appear healthy and with full green foliage that should turn beautifully in early October.
0 – 10% – Lake Davis and Frenchman’s Lake – Aspen are drier than usual with some having been thinned out, though overall color should be good.
Eastern Sierra Fall Festivals and Events
Here are some of the festivals and events that coincide with trips to see fall color. Boy, they sure love their barbecue in Mono County!
Links to these events are found at monocounty.org.
September
All Days – Ambush at the Lake Fishing Derby, Convict Lake
4 – 7 – Founder’s Day, Bridgeport (celebrating Bridgeport’s history, high plains culture with ranch roping, team branding, live theater, courthouse tours, music, quilt displays and more)
4 – 6 – Mammoth Rock N Rye (30 distilleries, 14 breweries, 8 bands in Mammoth Village)
5 – Fishin’ Mission Foundation (BBQ & Concert – benefits local students)
5 – Horseshoe Tournament & BBQ – Silver Lake Resort, June Lake
5 – June Lake Loop Big Trout Tournament
5 – Free Fishing Day (throughout Mono County – licenses required, but no fees on county waters)
5 – Tom’s Place Classic Car Show & BBQ
11 – 13 – Graniteman Challenge (Graniteman swim, Mammoth Gran Fondo and Tioga Pass Run – compete in one or all three to be named a Graniteman)
19 – 20 – Hiking the Valley, Walker/Coleville (join locals on hikes of the best trails in northern Mono County)
19 – 20 – Birding the Valley, Walker/Coleville (join an expert for two days of guided field trips on the West Walker, Sonora Pass and Antelope Valley areas)
25 – 27 – Inspired by Nature: A Writer’s Retreat, June Lake
October
All Days – Ambush at the Lake Fishing Derby, Convict Lake
3 – Deer Hunter BBQ – Walker/Coleville (Join locals to help the local chamber and get their tips on local hunting and a taste of their secret recipe BBQ)
10 – June Lake Autumn Beer Festival – Gull Lake (12+ award-winning craft brewers, food, games, live music, surrounded by fall color)
17 – Duck’s Unlimited Dinner – Bridgeport
30 – Morrison Bonus Derby Weekend – Convict Lake
November
1 – Morrison Bonus Derby Weekend – Convict Lake
1 – 15 – Ambush at the Lake Fishing Derby, Convict Lake
15 – Last Day of Regular Fishing Season – Mono County
16 – Year-round Fishing Season Begins – at designated locations on the West Walker, East Walker, Upper Owens Rivers and Hot Creek. Catch and release regulations may apply.
Last Leaves of Autumn
Beth Orton sings Last Leaves of Autumn in her album, Sugaring Season. It is about love renewed like the cycle of autumn, winter, spring and summer.
Such a lovely thought deserves retelling. Here’s what she wrote and sings:
Oh the leaves how they shimmer
Trees lift their skirts and they quiver
Gently they lay down
To the dirt and dust and groundThey lose their innocence to find it all over
Ain’t nothing missing, they’re just high on a feeling
All they need is believing, no reason will doI’m hanging on like the last leaves of autumn
But I’m coming through like the first shoots of spring
I’m standing outside of space of time
And I’m healing
BelievingI’m ready for a first time feeling
Something I can believe in
I’m ready for a first time feeling
Awaken sleeping seasonIf ever that morning came again I’d take it
If ever that morning came again I’d be there
I have tried to live each day as a last
I have found life is long and I’ve gone and got a past
And it’s best to stand in the shelter of my loveI’m hanging on like the last leaves of autumn
But one ray of sun and I bleed into one
I would light up the sky in one burning mist of flame
If I could light up the sky in one blinding mist of flame…I’m ready for a first time feeling
Something I could believe in
I’m ready for a first time feeling
Awaken sleeping season
Name That Tree
Fall Color Creds to the first person who can name these trees, seen at Big Bear and Lake Gregory.
The photos were taken by Alena Nicholas this weekend. Alena describes these as ‘indicator’ trees used to mark when autumn has arrived in these San Bernardino Mountain locations.
0 – 10% – Big Bear and Lake Gregory – indicator trees are showing yellow, red and orange.
Eastern Sierra Fall Color Guide and Map
Eastern Sierra destination marketing organizations (DMOs) have collaborated to produce a comprehensive guide to fall color along US 395, a route that has been named by USA Weekend as “one of the USA’s five best road trips.”
California’s Eastern Sierra Fall Color Guide & Map lists major annual events, significant fall color plants, and directs color spotters to 21 locations along US 395 from Big Pine to Topaz where spectacular fall color can be viewed.
The publication can be obtained at Mono County and Inyo County websites and visitor centers or CLICK HERE.
Eastern Sierra Shows Early Color
A quick trip to the Eastern Sierra, on Monday and Tuesday (US 50 to CA-89 to US 395), allowed time to speak with locals and visit prime fall color areas, a few of which are showing early color.
Jared Smith at Parcher’s Resort near South Lake up the South Fork of Bishop Creek (Inyo County) points to a hillside of struggling, stunted aspen between Table Mountain Campground and Willow Campground that have lit up in mixed yellow and lime. He’s been closely observing seasonal change at Bishop Creek for a decade and says this is one of the earliest appearances he’s seen.
Aspen growing along the banks of the Middle Fork of Bishop Creek that flows out of Lake Sabrina are also starting to show yellow. Though, most of the aspen in Bishop Creek Canyon are deeply green and healthy, indicating that fall color will appear about the same time of year, as usual. The healthiest of the groves are near Four Jeffrey, where very tall and lush aspen grow and in Aspendell whose verdant stands are doing well.
Jared attributes the health of Bishop Creek’s aspen to late spring and early summer rains that irrigated them. In past years, we’ve noted that fall color in healthy forests tends to last longer… that is, unless storms strip the leaves.
Tim Fesko of Meadowcliff Resort along the Walker River at the northern end of Mono County (US 395) says early summer rains extended the wildflower blooms. He drove up to Lobdell Lake atop Mt. Patterson two weeks ago and found it populated with more wildflowers than he can ever recall seeing so late in summer.
One of the pleasures of early fall color viewing is to find wildflowers blooming just as fall color is beginning to show. This is evident at South Lake where hot pink fireweed is pushing up through fully peaked yellow-orange willows at 9,200′.
At Lake Sabrina, a hillside of full peak willows runs like an orange ribbon climbing through the aspen near the end of the dam, and at North Lake, willows flank North Lake Road with a cordon of rustling yellow-orange leaves.
Just below the South Fork hillside of early turning aspen that Jared mentioned, bright yellow rabbitbrush line South Fork Road between Four Jeffrey and Mountain Glen.
More cadmium yellow rabbitbrush paint the edges of US 395 north of Mammoth Lakes and at Oh! Ridge viewpoint above June Lake.
Time didn’t permit a side trip to visit Mammoth Lakes this trip, but – wow – the view of Mammoth Mountain, the Minarets and Sierra is impressive on the drive north toward Mammoth from Bishop. This must be the most spectacular horizon at a mountain resort in North America!
Mono County color spotter Alicia Vennos was hiking this past weekend and found the aspen in Lundy Canyon to be dark green (with one exception beside the trail), but that willows at higher elevations, as seen in Bishop Creek Canyon, have turned bright yellow-orange.
She noted that Juniper bushes appear to be blue from a distance, due to the many Juniper berries carried on their branches.
This scouting trip confirmed that the signs are mostly positive that this autumn’s show should be colorful and long-lasting (conditions permitting). The only areas of concern were groves of quaking aspen near the Sorensen’s Resort in the Hope Valley (CA-88 – Carson Pass) and atop Monitor Pass (CA-89) that have been afflicted with a fungus that damages the leaves with brown spots.
John Brissenden at Sorensen’s says some aspen near the resort have lost half their leaves due to the disease.
Fortunately for Sorensen’s and the many color spotters who appreciate visiting the Hope Valley (count me among them), the valley is populated with thousands of aspen, most of which are deeply green and healthy. The healthiest of them are seen along the West Fork of the Carson River, east of Sorensen’s and seen from Hwy 88 in the Hope Valley up to the east side of Carson Pass.
0 – 10% – Bishop – Fremont Cottonwood that populate Bishop are deep green and healthy.
10 – 50% – Lake Sabrina, Middle Fork Bishop Creek – On the lower end of this scale, color is beginning to paint slopes from 9,200′ up to 10,000′. Aspen below the dam are speckled with gold.
10 – 50% – South Fork Bishop Creek – A hillside of aspen have turned yellow between Table Mountain and Willow campgrounds. Most of the aspen are deep green and will turn on schedule from late Sept. to mid Oct.
0 – 10% – June Lake Loop – A few aspen are showing spots of color.
10 – 50% – Reverse Creek Campground, June Lake – Approx. 15% of the aspen in the campground have begun to turn.
0 – 10% – Walker River, Walker, Coleville – Frémont cottonwood look healthy and deeply green.
10 – 50% – Monitor Pass – The aspen atop the pass are suffering, partly because this is a windswept area with poor nutrients and due to a fungus that has spotted leaves. Several trees have lost leaves and appear to be struggling.
0 – 10% – Carson Pass – The aspen throughout most of the Hope Valley look healthy and full of green leaves, though a few stands near Sorensen’s Resort have lost half their leaves due to the same fungus afflicting those on Monitor Pass. A new National Weather Service weather station in a meadow near Sorenson’s will provide detailed information on weather conditions there.