Archive for year: 2010

The weather across California has been ideal for fall color displays, with very few storms coming through since Autum began.  That means that other than those trees which are past peak, most of the trees have yet to turn color, and those trees that are changing have lots of leaves on their branches with lots of color.

From Parcher’s Resort, we get this report:

South Lake – Elevation 9768 ft

Past Peak – The color at the back of the lake is nearly gone but the groves near the rock slide are hanging pretty tough and showing some really vibrant orange hues still.

Weir Pond – Elevation 9592 ft

Past Peak – Despite snow last week, the view at Weir Pond has held up.  Bright yellow, gold and orange colors are still prevalent around the shoreline of the pond. Jared Smith of Parcher’s Resort considers this to be one of the best stops on the canyon right now.

 Parchers Camp – Elevation 9260 ft

Past Peak – It was more vibrant a week ago but there is still a lot of color in every direction here at the resort. Also, the aspen along the creek near the resort are looking fantastic and offering the opportunity for epic fall color stream shots.

North Lake – Elevation 9255ft

Past Peak – The North Lake area aspens are still gorgeous, even though slightly past peak color.  North Lake Rd is also showing off some great color still. If you’re a photographer visiting the area, don’t miss North Lake!

North Lake Road 10-12-10

North Lake 10-12-10

Lake Sabrina – Elevation 9150 ft

Past Peak – Some beautiful color is still showing, especially near the back of the lake. Orange and reds showing here and there – best view is probably from the dam or from a boat.

Sabrina Camp Groves – Elevation 9000 ft

Past Peak – The Sabrina camp grove is a goner for this season.

Table Mountain Camp Grove – Elevation 8845 ft

Past Peak – The groves at Mountain Camp are a shadow of what they were a week or so ago but the view of this grove is still breathtaking. Some really nice red is developing on the far side of the creek.

Groves below Table Mountain Camp 10-12-10

 The Famous Mist Falls on South Fork Bishop Creek

50-75% – Famous Mist Falls is getting close. A lot of yellow is developing there.  This is expected to peak within a week, though it’s a gorgeous view even now.

Four Jeffrey Camp Groves

30-50% – Some of the green is turning to gold here but this area still has a ways to go before it peaks, good news for color chasers in the coming weeks.

Mountain Glen Campground

50-75% – Still behind hanging behind the rest of the higher elevation aspens – more green than yellow.

Willow Camp – Elevation 9065 ft

Past Peak – The best has come and gone near Willow but there are still plenty of trees in full color right now. I’m not sure how long it will last but the views are very good right now.

Surveyor’s Meadow

Past Peak – Even with the peak gone, there is a lot of yellow and orange left hanging around. Jared writes, “Judging by how many photographers are still stopping at this location, I have to believe that its worth it.”

 Aspendell – 8500ft

75-100% – The higher elevation aspens are gone now but the lower groves near the creek are beginning to look amazing. Still some time yet before it peaks but it’s a great view right now.

Other reports — Most of the areas below 8,000 ft are reporting green leaves.  This happened last year in which there was a week’s difference between the trees at 7,000 and those above 8,000′.  The aspen in Lee Vining Canyon (east side of Yosemite’s Tioga Pass) and the Hope Valley (CA-88), for example, are reported as being mostly green, though aspen along Hwy 89 on the way to Markleeville and at Monitor Pass are peaking (a good bet for a colorful drive would be Hwy 89 from the Hope Valley to Coleville. 

Expect the color to spread to lower elevations this weekend and through next week.   The best big bold color areas still remain in the canyons of the Eastern Sierra (Bishop Creek, Rock Creek, Convict Lake, Mammoth Lakes, Lundy Lake, Virginia Lakes, Twin Lakes, Sonora Pass).  All other areas of California are reporting spatters of color.  Color spotters in Plumas County, for example, are showing lots of bright red, but limited to specific trees or shrubs.

Photo Credit: © 2010, Jared Smith and Kristina Karaday

A light dusting of snow above 10,000′ did not dampen the enthusiasm of High Sierra leaf peepers this past week.  Last weekend was picture perfect in the high country and the overcast caused by the high cloud cover only served to intensify the color for photographers.  Above 9,500′, the color is past peak, though there’s still plenty of color to be seen below that elevation, with peaking occurring now between 8,000 and 9,000′ in Inyo County.

Photographers are reporting color beginning to show at 7,000′, so expect two more weeks of color in the Eastern Sierra, as the display marches down to lower elevations.

This photograph taken at North Lake by Greg Boyer on Tuesday illustrates the point that even though the weather may be inclement, that’s no reason to not venture out to experience and appreciate nature.  Greg’s beautiful image captures more about the change of season and High Sierra that one might have gotten on a sunnier day.  Greg, based in Bishop, is one of several gifted photographers who live and work in Inyo County’s Eastern Sierra.  To learn more about Greg, his work and his colleagues, visit www.onehorsestudio.com.

Photo Credit: © 2010, Greg Boyer

Here’s the latest from the Eastern Sierra:

South Lake – Elevation 9768 ft

75-100% -The back of the lake behind the island is past its prime but the groves near the front of the lake are at peak color.

Weir Pond – Elevation 9592 ft

75-100% – Some of the aspen above the pond have started to shed their leaves but I would still consider the Weir to be a great stop for photos with some beautiful orange aspen towards the inlet area and still quite a bit of color up on the hill.

Parchers Camp – Elevation 9260 ft

75-100% – 360 degrees of vibrant fall color. There are a few aspens which have begun to shed their leaves, the vast majority of the foliage on the hills and here at the camp are at peak color. Gorgeous!

North Lake – Elevation 9255ft

75-100% – North Lake has really progressed quickly over the past 5 days going from the 50% mark or so to peak color. The typical orange and red above the lake is beautiful right now, as is the famous dirt road, and the grove you see as you approach the lake. No way to tell how long it will last but it’s amazing right now.

Lake Sabrina – Elevation 9150 ft

75-100% – Peaking color at Sabrina is simply breathtaking – don’t miss out!

Sabrina Camp Groves – Elevation 9000 ft

Past Peak -The Sabrina camp grove is far less spectacular than it was a week ago – still some decent color around but not as great as it was.

Table Mountain Camp Grove – Elevation 8845 ft

75-100% – Peak color – simply fantastic views from this area.

The Famous Mist Falls on South Fork Bishop Creek

30-50% – Mist Fall is showing some color but is well behind most of the trees only a mile higher on the canyon. If the weather holds out this will be a great location for fall color in the next week or two.

Four Jeffrey Camp Groves

15-30% – A few trees showing orange and yellow but the majority of the aspen are still green as green can be at this location. This area should provide some fall color action for those visiting later in October.

Mountain Glen Campground

50-75% – Still behind much of the foliage at the same elevation on the other side of the canyon, but there is some beautiful yellow and gold here with a small pocket down by the creek of vibrant orange.

Willow Camp – Elevation 9065 ft

75-100% – The trees lining South Lake Rd near Willow camp really turned fast! I would consider it at or near peak color right now but there are a few trees that are starting to fade a bit.

Surveyor’s Meadow

75-100% – Arguably the best view in the entire canyon, Surveyor’s meadow is absolutely fantastic at present and would certainly be categorized as peak color. The snow capped peaks are adding a lot to the views here.

Aspendell – 8500ft

75-100% – Hard to  put a rating on this one because there is a lot of green to go along with all the yellow, gold and orange – but I’m thinking it is somewhere around 75% or so, maybe a little more. Phenomenal views up canyon from Aspendell.