Hwy 9, Big Basin Redwoods SP (11/1/12) Will Klair
75 – 100% – Big Basin Redwoods State Park – Color spotter Will Klair sent this cell phone picture of fall color seen along Calif. Hwy 9 near the entrance to Big Basin Redwoods State Park. Spots of color in the redwoods can be lovely, as this photo shows. Look for combinations of yellow bigleaf maple and orange to burnt sienna oak leaves among the redwoods. For camping-styled lodging at Big Basin, CLICK HERE.
Elk Meadow, Redwood NP (11/1/12) Grant Roden
75 – 100% – Redwood National Park – Grant Roden reports from Elk Meadow that bigleaf maple are at full peak with yellow peaking through the redwoods. He describes early November as one of the best times of the year to see the redwoods.
Bishop, Eastern Sierra (11/1/12) Joe Pollini
Bishop, Eastern Sierra (11/1/12) Rachel Anderson
Crowley Lake Sheep Meadow (11/1/12) Mel Seator
75 – 100% – Owens Valley – Eastern Sierra color spotters Jon Klusmire, Rachel Anderson and Joe Pollini sent these photos, showing color change in the Owens Valley. The color there continues to be bold and is approaching peak from Independence to Bishop along US 395.
Crowley Lake Sheep Meadow (11/1/12) Mel Seator
Rachel suggested touring the Barlow Lane, Dixon Lane, Brockman Lane and Bishop Canal (behind Kmart) in Bishop. Joe and Mel Seator found lovely images at the Crowley Lake sheep pasture. Overcast conditions provided for textural qualities to the sky and intensified the color, as is seen from their photographs. That’s a reminder that some of the best photographs are taken in less than ideal weather conditions.
Big Pine (11/1/12) Jon Klusmire
Jon’s photo from Big Pine shows the area that is home to the Palisade and Norman Clyde Glaciers. He notes that there’s, “plenty of access on county roads, west toward the Sierra, or east toward the Owens River to get images like these.
Strawberry Tree, Arbutus (10/31/12) Charissa Gilmer
Color spotter Charissa Gilmer of the City of Redding sends these photos of fall color, intensified by the overcast of recent rain clouds.
Chinese pistache (10/31/12) Charissa Gilmer
Redding City Hall (10/31/12) Charissa Gilmer
Shasta County
50 – 75% – Redding – This capital city of northeastern California is also the second-sunniest city in the nation, providing for ideal conditions (warm clear days and cold nights) to intensify color.
Within the City of Redding, a variety of color is now being seen, from various types of maple trees now showing a palette of lime, yellow, orange, scarlet and purple. Sycamores and Eastern Redbuds are displaying bright yellow leaves along the Sacramento River Trail. Photinia throughout town are changing to deep red. The colorful Strawberry Tree displays green leaves and bright red, orange, and yellow fruit. And, stunning fuschia stems of Dogwood stand out along the Sacramento River. This color should develop over the next two weeks, though many species are peaking now.
Although it is embraced by the Cascade Range, Sierra Nevada and Coastal Range, Redding has a Mediterranean climate that allows for a remarkable blend of native and exotic flora. City streets show this diversity, as does the McConnell Arboretum and Gardens on the north side of Sundial Bridge, which features plantings from all five of the world’s Mediterranean climates.
Because Redding has climates varying from the northern central valley to three, very different mountain ecosystems, an array of color develops within short distances of Redding, making it an attractive base for leaf peeping excursions. To plan a trip, go to VisitRedding.com
50 – 75% – Siskiyou County – Color change has been slow for Siskiyou County. Trees in the lower elevations are at their peak, while those at higher elevations are past peak. Look for red dogwoods, yellow bigleaf maples and umber oaks. Fun! First time anyone’s reported “umber”.
Elsewhere in the Shasta Cascade, color spotter Grace Smith reports:
Shasta County
75 – 100% – Whiskeytown National Recreation Area – The national park is reporting lots of yellow in the forest, with some reds near the visitor’s center. Trees near Whiskeytown Falls are showing brilliant yellow against greens. Recent rains are causing trees to lose leaves, so give it a week more before past peak.
50 – 75% – Trinity County – Most of the deciduous trees near Trinity Lake, Trinity Center and throughout the county are showing yellow with some orange! Some stands are approaching past peak, with leaves falling due to recent rain.
Modoc County
75 – 100% – Modoc National Forest – Cedar’s Pass is still showing yellows, orange, and red on aspen. All other areas of the forest are past peak.
Past Peak – Alturas – Not many leaves are left to be seen.
Lassen County
75 – 100% – BLM Eagle Lake – The BLM is reporting the trees around Eagle Lake to be at peak and beautiful, with aspens busy changing to gold, orange and red.
Tehama County
75 – 100% – Lassen Volcanic National Park – Manzanita Lake is at full peak, with aspen golden and maples starting to turn red. Cottonwood trees near Hat Creek standout with bright yellow-orange. Dogwoods have started to change pink to red. Again, this past week’s rains have felled leaves, though the color that remains is gorgeous.
30 – 50% – Red Bluff – Catalpa trees in town are turning with their dark green leaves now brightening and showing yellow. The Redbuds are beginning to show a golden color. Expect Redbluff to peak in three weeks.
Butte County
30 – 50% – Butte County – Slightly higher than Red Bluff, Chico has experienced quite a bit of color change, with lots of reds, yellows, and a lot more orange. Maples are starting to turn while the ashes have a purple tint to them! Trees will be hitting their peaks in the next two weeks, especially at Bidwell Park in the City of Trees!
75 – 100% – Plumas County – The show moves down in elevation to 6,000’ along Hwy 70, which is populated with lively fall colors from red and gold to yellow. Traveling south on Hwy 89 towards Graeagle, cottonwood and aspens remain bright along the Feather River. The past week’s rain is predicted to turn to sunny weather over the weekend, a final weekend to see the color in Plumas County before it’s past
Cottonwood, Lake Hemet Campgrounds (10/31/12) Todd Stepien
75 – 100% – San Jacinto Mountains – Todd Stepien, of the Lake Hemet Campgrounds in the San Jacinto Mountains (Southern California) reports cottonwood glowing bright yellow. Other species to be seen in the San Jacintos are California black oak, which display large orange leaves set against black branches. Visit www.lakehemetrecreation.com for directions and information on camping in the area.
Los Angeles County
15 – 30% – LA County Arboretum – Frank McDonough reports color at the arboretum is looking about the same as reported last week, with some species showing color, but at the arboretum’s sister garden, Descanso Gardens, located in somewhat cooler La Canada, more color is appearing among liquidambars and one very red and very small Rhus bush.
Descanso Gardens (11/1/12) Frank McDonough
Los Angeles Times travel writer Chris Erskine is the kind of guy you’d like to pal around with as he travels the backroads of California in his rented Ford. Erskine knows the backwater places where interesting characters tell fascinating stories.
That kind of traveled writer knows what’s genuine and intriguing. So, when he called and, with journalistic skepticism, said he planned to search for the color we describe in this blog, I worried he might miss it by leaving for the Eastern Sierra too late in the month and arriving after a storm had ruined what’s been glorious, so far. Sure enough, snow fell just before his trip.
A medium as influential as the LA Times could, with one disappointing experience, reinforce the belief that California doesn’t have great fall color. It’s easy to conclude, from our state’s tropical palm trees, sunglass-wearing celebrities and sun-drenched beaches, that California has only one season… summer. And, Los Angelenos (along with most Californians) live along the coast where (except in dazzling pockets) little fall color is seen. Even in his article, Erskine described this blog as containing “improbable postings.”
However, seeing is believing, and California didn’t disappoint. The spectacular fall color identified within this blog proved not to be inspired by delerium. Erskine described what he was seeing as “stunning” and “majestic” when he called from the road. The storm we fretted about hadn’t blown away the beauty. It only enhanced it, dusting High Sierra ranges with white, while firey red, orange and yellow reflected below upon “sapphire” waters.
To read Chris Erskine’s story, CLICK HERE.
Quaking Aspen, North Lake Tahoe (10/28/12) John Poimiroo
This has been an extended autumn with little wind (so far) to knock turned leaves from the trees. It’s now peaking from June Lake to the Northern Sierra. Over the weekend, we drove to North Lake Tahoe and found spots of color along I-80, CA-267 and CA-28 (North Lake Blvd.).
Black Cottonwood, Kings Beach (10/28/12) John Poimiroo
North Lake Tahoe (10/28/12) John Poimiroo
75 – 100% – Cisco Grove (5,500′) – a large stand of cottonwood are golden yellow beside I-80.
75 – 100% – Northstar at Tahoe – Stands of aspen on the east side of Hwy 267 are golden or past peak.
75 – 100% – North Lake Blvd. – Stands of aspen along Hwy 28 have turned yellow and are approaching past peak.
June Lake Loop (10/25/12) Jeff Titcomb
Here’s a roundup of color seen around the state. We received photos only from Mono County. I drove through Napa and Sonoma Counties today, but had no time to stop and take photos, so must leave that to local color spotters. Visit the “About” page on this site to find our email address.
Also, if you’re frustrated that we haven’t responded to requests posted on our Facebook page, it got blocked by Facebook because we responded to a message sent to us by one of our color spotters. The message was actually a Facebook virus that infected our site. So, Facebook has blocked us from posting until they’re sure the virus is gone.
This blog, however, is not infected, so it will continue to post reports. Because the Facebook message from the spotter related to “color change,” we thought it had something to do with fall color. And, since it came from a productive spotter, we clicked on the request, only to learn today that it was a virus.
Because it was a virus and because we clicked to accept the color spotter’s request, the virus may have sent itself among our Facebook friends. So, if you are a subscriber to our Facebook page and receive a request from us to something to do with “color change,” don’t accept it. In the meantime, here’s what’s happening:
June Lake Loop (10/25/12) Jeff Titcomb
June Lake Loop (10/25/12) Jeff Titcomb
June Lake Loop (10/25/12) Jeff Titcomb
Eastern Sierra
Past Peak – Bishop Creek Canyon (above 7,500’) – All elevations above 7,500’ are now past peak, though some spectacular color can be seen in pockets of the Bishop Creek Canyon.
75 – 100% – Bishop Creek Canyon (below 7,500’) – The lower areas of Bishop Creek Canyon are in their glory, with lots of yellow and spots of orange.
Owens Valley, Bishop (10/25/12) Jon Klusmire
50 – 75% – Owens Valley – The color seen in Bishop and other towns long US 395 contrasted with snow atop Eastern Sierra peaks is breathtaking.
75 – 100% – Convict Lake – The mix of snow and fall color this past week has been beautiful.
75 – 100% – Mammoth Lakes – Spirits are up at Mammoth Mountain which reported 18” of new snow on the mountain this past week. Combined with the fall color that’s still to be seen in the Lakes Basin, the area is “stunning.”
75 – 100% – June Lake – Color is at peak along the June Lake Loop, described by a reporter as “magnificent.” The early snow has provided beautiful contrast.
Western Sierra
30 – 50% – Yosemite Valley – Dogwood are coloring pink, the bigleaf maple have dropped leaves into fern spring and the black oak are turning bright orange and black in time for Halloween. The famous pioneer Eastern Sugar Maple near the Yosemite chapel is past peak. Yosemite nature photographer, Michael Frye reports on his blog (see link at left), “… autumn is arriving slowly. I found some nice color across the river from El Capitan, underneath Middle Cathedral Rock, where most of the maples have turned yellow. Some other maples around the valley have also turned, along with a few dogwoods and cottonwoods, but most of the deciduous trees are still green. It looks like the peak color is still at least a week away, but the good news is that most of the trees seem to be in good shape. The leaves on a few dogwoods have already wilted and turned brown, but these are a small minority. Last year most of the cottonwood leaves wilted before changing color, but this year the cottonwoods look normal—if still mostly green.”
Gold Country
75 – 100% – Sierra Foothills – Grasses and ground covers in the Sierra foothills are glowing golden with splashes of maroon, along Latrobe Road, CA-16 and Buena Vista Road. Amador County vineyards are just beginning to show yellow and auburn, mostly lime green on the vines.
North Coast
30 – 50% – Napa Valley – A hillside of vines at the intersection of CA-12 and the Silverado Trail is flush with ruby, yellow, orange and lime.
30 – 50% – Carneros – Vines near Cuvaison and Domaine Carneros at CA-12 and Duhig Rd. are yellow, red and lime.
30 – 50% – Valley of the Moon, Sonoma County – Vines along Stage Gulch Rd (CA-116) now sparkle with red, yellow and lime.
California Wild Grape, LA County Arboretum (10/20/12) Frank McDonough
The LA County Arboretum with its spectacular variety of trees has begun reporting precocious color among the Chinese pistache, California wild grapes, and Nyssa sylvatica. Color spotter (and resident botanist) Frank McDonough reports, ” Things are starting to look up here at the L.A. County Arboretum & Botanic Garden.” We look forward to Frank’s photos and reports. If you’re from Southern California and would like to contribute, click on “Comment” below or post on our Facebook page (click “f” at upper left).
Chinese pistache (10/20/12) Frank McDonough
Maple – Greenville, Plumas County (10/21/12) Jeff Titcomb
Shasta Cascade color spotter Brittini McGuire provides this roundup of color from far northeastern California. An early winter storm that rolled through Northern California this past week has not diminished the color to be seen across the Shasta Cascade, as most of the trees are still approaching peak, though some previously turned leaves were blown off branches. Areas of the Shasta Cascade – other than Sacramento Valley cities – are near peak. Here’s the latest:
50 – 75% – Siskiyou County – The change has been slow but with the colder nights are finally contributing to sugaring. The forest is full of yellow with some red.
Modoc County:
50 – 75% – Modoc National Forest – Modoc NF is experiencing bright fall colors with mostly yellow and orange, with some red. Many trees have begun to lose their leaves.
50 – 75% – Alturas – Approaching peak with lots of yellow, green, oranges and some red.
Lassen County
50 – 75% – Eagle Lake – The BLM is reporting Eagle Lake as “A sight to see,” with cooler weather having accelerated the color change. Aspen have been busy changing to gold, orange and red.
Shasta County
50 – 75% – Whiskeytown National Recreation Area – Trees at lower elevations around the lake are at about 50% of change. The oaks, brush, and smaller trees are all showing great color change with bright lime and yellow. Trees on the mountain are now about 60% color change.
50 – 75% – Redding – This city is a convenient base from which to explore the color to be seen in upstate California. It also has beautiful color, particularly near Sundial Bridge, along the Sacramento River Trail and in residential areas south of City Hall. Lots of yellow, orange and red can be seen among both native and exotic trees. Visit the McConnell Arboretum and Gardens on the north side of Sundial Bridge for a display of varied species.
Trinity County
50 – 75% – Trinity County – Most deciduous species in Trinity County have turned yellow and red colors.
Tehama County
Past Peak – Lassen Volcanic National Park – The main park road through Lassen Volcanic National Park is now covered with snow, due to early storms that arrived this week.
50 – 75% – Manzanita Lake – Color spotters near this scenic lake at the northwest entrance to Lassen Volcanic National Park are reporting aspen and willows surrounding the lake having turned yellow, with maples turning red. Black cottonwoods near Hat Creek standout with bright gold.
30 – 50% – Red Bluff – Catalpa trees are turning from bright green to yellow. The Redbuds are showing their golden tone.
30 – 50% – Butte County – Chico is known as both the City of Roses and the City of Trees. In autumn, the city is flush with color from a variety of big elms, black oaks, alders, gingkos, hornbeams, birch and maples. Look for lots of red and yellow, though still plenty of green this week. Peak will occur in the coming two weeks, should storms diminish.
75 – 100% – Plumas County – Plumas County has been at full peak, particularly in the highest areas of the Sierra for the past two weeks. Indian rhubarb, aspen and bigleaf maples are in their glory, though brown is beginning to join these colors. The cottonwood and aspen in the Graeagle-Quincy area are gorgeous. Despite being at peak, most trees have not yet turned, so there’s still a week or two left of fall color in this beautiful corner of California.