Josh Wray and his friends know how to have fun… head to Parker Lake near Mammoth Lakes for some standup paddleboarding surrounded by brilliant fall color.
Parker Lake (10/9/16) Josh Wray
He rated Parker as Patchy, though by the time you get there, it will be peaking, and along the trail to the lake, aspen have peaked and are falling quickly.
However, Josh rates the aspen on the backside of Parker Lake as “incredible.”
Josh forecasts that, conditions permitting, the far side of Parker Lake will be completely yellow by the weekend.
He advises that carrying a paddleboard on the 1.8-mile hike to Parker Lake isn’t the easiest adventure, but WOW! what a result and what fun.
Who wouldn’t have wanted to be with Josh and his posse as they glided across this glassine water, surrounded by fall color.
http://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.png00John Poimiroohttp://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.pngJohn Poimiroo2016-10-11 13:23:182016-10-11 13:23:18Mammoth Fun at Parker Lake
Wonderful color is appearing among the black oak, maple and aspen of the San Bernardino Mountains.
Alena Nicholas traveled the Rim of the World highway, scouting each of the Bernardinos’ popular lakes, finding lots of bright color and predicting that peak color should continue for two weeks (CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE).
Lake Gregory (10/9/16) Alena Nicholas
Lake Arrowhead (10/9/16) Alena Nicholas
Jenks Lake (10/9/16) Alena Nicholas
Jenks Lake (10/9/16) Alena Nicholas
Jenks Lake (10/9/16) Alena Nicholas
Green Valley Lake (10/9/16) Alena Nicholas
Green Valley Lake (10/9/16) Alena Nicholas
Green Valley Lake (10/9/16) Alena Nicholas
Grass Valley Lake (10/9/16) Alena Nicholas
Big Bear Lake (10/9/16) Alena Nicholas
Big Bear Lake (10/9/16) Alena Nicholas
Big Bear Lake (10/9/16) Alena Nicholas
San Bernardino Mountains – Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW!
http://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.png00John Poimiroohttp://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.pngJohn Poimiroo2016-10-11 08:53:182016-10-11 09:02:07Why It's Called Fall
This is one of the longest reports California Fall Color has ever published. It is so, because of many detailed reports received.
Unbeknownst to us, our inbox crashed along with the server, causing reports sent to us last week to arrive today. So, please bear with this long post, as it’s full of great photos and important guidance for the week ahead.
NORTHERN SIERRA
The upper areas of the Hope Valley are past peak, though as seen in Andrew Zheng’s photo (above) of the cabin near the junction of CA-88 and CA-89, a mix of developing lime to fully peaked trees can be seen side-by-side with stripped trees.
Hope Valley – Peak to Past Peak YOU ALMOST MISSED IT!
EASTERN SIERRA
Glacier Lodge (10/5/16) Clayton Peoples
First Report: Longtime contributor, Clayton Peoples sent news of “an oft-overlooked gem,” Glacier Lodge which is west of Big Pine in the southern Eastern Sierra, off US 395. He visited the previous weekend and found some nice patchy color in the lower elevations and near peak higher up, with more color appearing this week. He promises to return.
Tip of the Day: a number of canyons lead up into the Eastern Sierra from US 395. These are often lightly visited and full of color. No, they don’t have the big stands of aspen found in Bishop Creek or at June Lake, but they’re beautiful, nonetheless. And, for So. Calif. color spotters they’re a lot closer to reach.
Glacier Lodge, Big Pine – Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW!
Surveyor’s Meadow (10/6/16) Robert Provin
Sabrina Approach (10/9/16) Abhi Bhaskaran
Sabrina Approach (10/9/16) Julie Kirby
Sabrina Approach (10/6/16) Robert Provin
Mist Falls, Bishop Creek Canyon (10/6/16) Michael Caffey
Convict Lake, Mono County (10/6/16) Michael Caffey
Bishop Creek is past peak at its upper reaches, though peak color can still be found (conditions permitting) at mid and lower elevations.
Then, there are exceptions like the Sabrina Approach, photographed by Abhi Bhaskaran, Robert Provin and Julie Kirby.
Following is a video from Bishop showing what the canyon looked like this past weekend.
Bishop Creek Canyon – Upper Elevations – Past Peak YOU MISSED IT!
Bishop Creek Canyon – Mid Elevations – Near Peak and Peak GO NOW!
Bishop Creek Canyon – Low Elevations – Patchy (10-50%)
Pine Creek Road (10/8/16) Gigi deJong
Pine Creek (10/8/16) Gigi deJong
Millpond County Park, Inyo County (10/8/16) Gigi deJong
Gigi deJong toured Round Valley, northwest of Bishop in the Eastern Sierra on Friday and found the cottonwood just turning yellow.
Though, there are “some lovely stand in picturesque spots,” with rabbitbrush in full irridescent yellow bloom, complementing the trees perfectly.
Counterpoints include bull rushes along the creeks, an occasional apple tree and “old structures that have lovely patina.”
Farm animals and the Sierra Nevada provide ornamentation that complements the scene and makes it classically a California Fall Color diorama.
She recommends exploring Pine Creek Rd., Round Valley Rd., Horton Creek Campground and Millpond County Park (Inyo County).
Round Valley, Inyo County (northwest of Bishop) – Patchy (10-50%), though well worth a trip.
Color spotter Anthony DeChiaro hiked to the Hilton Lakes on Oct. 6 to find the area denuded of leaves. He admitted he didn’t spend a lot of time searching for color around the lake, but that’s about what we would have expected, considering that the lakes are from 9,800′ to 11,000′ in elevation, and everything abover 9,000′ was reported as past peak the day Anthony headed up to the Hilton Lakes.
Hilton Lakes – Past Peak YOU MISSED IT!
Robinson Creek Trail to Barney Lake (10/9/16) Leor Pantilat
Robinson Creek Trail(10/9/16) Leor Pantilat
Robinson Creek Trail (10/9/16) Leor Pantilat
Robinson Creek Trail (10/9/16) Leor Pantilat
Leor Pantilat traveled to Mono County yesterday to capture these images on an iPhone.
He reports that the “Robinson Creek Trail to Barney Lake is at peak and dazzling with mountainsides full of yellow, orange and red contrasting with the rugged peaks surrounding the scene.
“After the short stretch in the pine forest near Twin Lakes, the trail emerges into meadows and the aspen at peak color is virtually unabated for 4 miles all the way to Barney Lake and beyond.
“I was at the same spot at the same time last year and the aspen show is substantially better this year with much less brown rot.
“Leaves were flying off the trees with every breeze so this is definitely a GO NOW! situation.”
He continues, “Strong winds are forecast as early as Thursday will likely end the show.”
Robinson Creek Trail to Barney Lake, Mono County – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
June Lake Loop (10/9/16) Julie Kirby
June Lake should peak this weekend, with color lasting another week. So, even if the winds strip some trees, enough color should remain along the June Lake Loop to keep it beautiful.
June Lake Loop – Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW!
Sonora Pass (10/7/16) Dave Olden
Sonora Pass and Leavitt Meadow are now wearing orange as if they were rooting for the San Francisco Giants in the playoffs. When Dave Olden crossed the pass on Oct. 7, it was just beginning its peak.
Sonora Pass (10/9/16) Leor Pantilat
Then, Leor Pantilat happened by on Sunday and found it had donned Giant colors. That’s how fast it peaks. Again, this color might not last out the week.
Sonora Pass – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
CENTRAL COAST
Fremont cottonwood, Rose Valley Road, Ojai (10/6/16) Kevin Rose
First Report: Traveling north from Ojai along SR33, color spotter Kevin Rose found a stand of Fremont cottonwood, brushed by refreshing mountain breezes off Rose Valley Road.
The trees were showing patchy color at coordinates 34.5595382 – 119.1654414 along Sespe Creek.
Nearby, several backpackers were gearing up to hike Lion Canyon. Kevin did some of the same hike and declares it hike-worthy! Turn right off CA-33 on Rose Valley Rd. and follow the parking lot to its bitter end.
This is a nice walk for Central Coast color spotters and earns title as HIKE OF THE WEEK. “Totally worth it!” wrote Rose who followed Rose Valley Road.
Rose Valley Road, Los Padres National Forest, Ojai – Patchy (10-50%)
Poison Oak, Humboldt Redwoods State Park (10/10/16) Max Forster
NORTH COAST
Prairie Creek RSP (10/10/16) Max Forster
Lost Man Creek, Redwood National Park (10/10/16) Max Forster
Jedediah Smith RSP (10/10/16) Max Forster
North Coast color spotter Max Forster happened upon the historically significant Luna tree while looking for color in Humboldt Redwoods State Park.
This is the tree that Julia “Butterfly” Hill sat in for two years in protest of logging within the area.
Humboldt Redwoods State Park – Patchy (10-50%). Bigleaf maple and poison oak along the Avenue of the Giants have another week until peak yellow and crimson, though examples can be seen when rays of sun light the redwood forest. Look for the poison oak creeping up the trunks of the skyscraper redwoods along Mattole Road.
Redwood National & State Parks – (75%-100%) GO NOW!. Most of the bigleaf maple are putting on their best show of the season. Trees along Mill Creek (Jedediah Smith State Park) and Little Lost Man Creek (Redwood National Park) have turned particularly impressive over the last few days.
After hearing today that leaves had dropped from some aspen trees at June Lake, we asked Jeff Simpson to go there and photograph what it looks like, right now. His photos do not disappoint.
The aspen groves are lush and full of leaves, though, on closer inspection, some are spotted with black leaf spot fungus. Still, June Lake is on track for terrific color.
Next weekend (Oct. 15/16) should be prime for peak color at June Lake. Make your travel plans, now!
June Lake Loop/Hwy 168 – Patchy (10-50%) – The patchy rating is deceiving. This area should easily move to near peak within a week.
As such, in the coming week June Lake is sure to earn the title PEAK OF THE WEEK.
[wunderground location=”June Lake, CA” numdays=”4″ showdata=”daynames,icon,date,conditions,highlow” layout=”simple”]
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Mineral King, Sequoia National Park (10/1/16) Leor Pantilat
Mineral King, Sequoia National Park (10/1/16) Leor Pantilat
Mineral King, Sequoia National Park (10/1/16) Leor Pantilat
Mineral King, Sequoia National Park (10/1/16) Leor Pantilat
Mineral King, Sequoia National Park (10/1/16) Leor Pantilat
The Southern Sierra have been hit hard by drought. 60 million conifers have died from bark beetles. As, in a drought, the trees are less able to defend themselves by pushing sap to block infestation by the beetles.
We received a report today that, as a result of the drought, many aspen are so dry at 7,000′ that “they simply shed their leaves.”
And yet, fall color survives. At Sequoia National Park, this past weekend, color spotter Leor Pantilat found a stand of aspen at the base of the mountain that was at peak with brilliant orange mixed in.
He reports that while the aspen are probably past peak by now, cottonwood will peak this week or next, meaning that fall color at Sequoia National Park continues.
California Fall Color is a proponent of looking down, not just up. Leor confirmed that dictum, by noting that the High Sierra was carpeted with red and yellow ground cover.
So, look down as well as up when hiking Mineral King.
Mineral King, Sequoia National Park – Peak (75-100%) to Past Peak GO NOW!
[wunderground location=”Sequoia National Park, CA” numdays=”4″ showdata=”daynames,icon,date,conditions,highlow” layout=”simple”]
http://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.png00John Poimiroohttp://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.pngJohn Poimiroo2016-10-07 07:10:152016-10-07 09:36:06Mineral King Gets Royal
So much attention is given to the Eastern Sierra at the start of each autumn, that Plumas County must feel like the last kid picked to play. But, when Plumas County eventually steps up, it plays big.
At the northern end of the Sierra Nevada, and part of Califoria’s vast Shasta Cascade tourism region, Plumas County is a major leaguer in its own right.
Bigleaf maple, Plumas County (10/5/16) Mike Nellor
Indian Rhubarb, Plumas County (10/5/16) Mike Nellor
The Eastern Sierra has quaking aspen and, well, cottonwood and willows. But Plumas? It’s got aspen, bigleaf maple, cottonwood, black oak, dogwood, willow, alder and gloriously showy Indian rhubarb.
The Eastern Sierra presents grand landscapes, while Plumas has rural charm… white steepled churches embraced by deep orange oaks, barns sitting in a sea of color and those rhubarb draped over the edges and reflected in still streams.
Mike Nellor, a local photographer and color spotter reports that the show is just emerging in Plumas County, with its capital city, Quincy now coloring up at nearby Oakland Camp and the rhubarb, as reported last week, are turning firey orange-red.
http://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.png00John Poimiroohttp://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.pngJohn Poimiroo2016-10-06 23:06:212016-10-08 08:36:03Plumas County Comes Out to Play
Hikers along the Lundy Canyon Trail (10/2/16) Alicia Vennos
Lundy Canyon (10/2/16) Jeff Simpson
Lundy Canyon (10/2/16) Jeff Simpson
Lundy Canyon (10/2/16) Jeff Simpson
Lundy Canyon (10/2/16) Jeff Simpson
Fall foliage is peaking in Mono County and will continue for two weeks.
Color spotter Alicia Vennos calls the brilliant yellow, orange and red leaves, her county’s “Sierra gold” and recommends visiting Lobdell Lake, Sonora Pass, Green Creek, Lundy Canyon, Parker Lake, and Rock Creek, this week. They are all at full peak and will be aglow through Monday.
Other locations worth viewing are Monitor Pass, Summers Meadow (off Green Creek Road), Lee Vining Canyon, Lundy Canyon Trail, and McGee Canyon.
The West Walker River, Convict Lake, the June Lake Loop, and Little Walker Lake are just starting to show color and should be ready for the weekend of the 15th.
WALKER / COLEVILLE / TOPAZ
Monitor Pass – Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW! Still green in some locations but groves near the top of the pass are peaking.
Lobdell Lake (9,200′) Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW! Colors are absolutely stunning along the road to Lobdell Lake just off Burcham Flat Road. 4WD vehicle necessary – high clearance vehicles ONLY!
Sonora Pass (9,623′) Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW! Last week’s storm blew a few leaves off the trees near the top of the pass. Areas near the Mountain Warfare Training Center near US 395 are a mix of yellow and lime.
Summers Meadow (10/2/16) Jeff Simpson
BRIDGEPORT / VIRGINIA LAKES
Virginia Lakes (9,770′) – Past Peak YOU MISSED IT!
Conway Summit (8,143′) – Patchy – (10 – 50%) – On the verge of a “go now” designation but still mostly green and lime green.
Green Creek (7,500′) Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW! The hike to Green Lake is peak to past peak while colors around the campground and along Green Creek Road will be perfect this week.
Summers Meadow Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW! Foliage along the mountain side are full red and orange while the colors along the road will be perfect in about 7-10 days.
Lobdell Lake Rd (10/2/16) Jeff Simpson
Rodruigez Flat (10/2/16) Jeff Simpson
Little Walker Rd (9/29/16) Jeff Simpson
Little Walker Rd (9/29/16) Jeff Simpson
Little Walker Rd (9/29/16) Jeff Simpson
Lobdell Lake Rd (10/2/16) Jeff Simpson
Lobdell Lake Rd (10/2/16) Jeff Simpson
LEE VINING
Tioga Pass (9,943′) – Past Peak YOU MISSED IT!
Lee Vining Canyon – Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW! Lee Vining Canyon is still very green but the upper elevations around Tioga Lake, Ellery Lake and Saddlebag Lake are in prime viewing condition.
Lundy Lake & Canyon – Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW! Still a little early around the lake and campground. Lundy falls and the beaver ponds are at full peak and will be a perfect hike for this weekend..
BENTON & 120 EAST
Sagehen Meadow – Past Peak YOU MISSED IT!
JUNE LAKE AREA
Parker Lake (8,313′) – Peak (75-100%) to Past Peak GO NOW! or YOU MISSED IT! – This is the weekend to go to Parker Lake. Take the Parker Bench Trail from Silver Lake Resort for a more difficult but worthy fall color experience. Kevin Lennox reports the hike to the lake (2 miles) was past peak, but once at the lake, a rolling peak was occurring where some aspen were still green or lime, while others were yellow and orange. Color at Parker Lake will likely last another week, though don’t delay as “conditions are progressing fast.”
Laurel Canyon (8,500′) – Peak (75-100%) to Past Peak GO NOW! or YOU MISSED IT! – Some areas of Laurel Canyon are now past peak, though large areas of color remain in the aspen groves along the middle section of this 4WD road (high clearance vehicles required or hike it).
Little Walker Road and Lake – Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW! – The Little Walker Lake Road is still a week from full peak. Leaves are turning yellow with patchy lime greens still present. HIKE OF THE WEEK – If you are up for a steep hike, take the trail to Sardine Lake where aspen are in full color.
Silver Lake, June Lake Loop – Patchy (10-50%) – Fall color is starting to spill down from the surrounding hillsides onto the June Lake Loop. Many sections are just starting to turn over to lime green and yellow with few groves ahead of the pack. The aspen grove that lines the western shore at Silver Lake is just starting to shift and should be at full peak within the next ten days, in time for the #SilverLakeInstameet on Oct. 15.
CROWLEY LAKE/McGEE CREEK
McGee Creek Canyon – Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW! The hike to the beaver ponds and beyond are prime for fall color while its still a little patchy around the campground and pack station.
ROCK CREEK CANYON
Upper Rock Creek (10,300′) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! Peak to past peak around the lake and in the high elevation areas. This will be the last few days to catch the color around the lake.
Middle Rock Creek Road – Peak (75-100%) Go Now! Colors along the road and in the campgrounds are at peak color and will be perfect this weekend.
LOWER RATINGS
Patchy (10 – 50%) – Mammoth Lakes Basin, Mammoth Creek Rd., Convict Lake and Canyon, Lower Rock Creek
Just Starting (0-10%) – Walker Canyon, Towns of Walker/Coleville, Twin Lakes, June Lake Loop/Hwy 168, Convict Lake Resort/Campground, Crowley Lake, Lower Rock Creek.
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Big Bear, Barton Flats and Jenks Lake in the San Bernardino Mountains are puttin’ on their colors. Orange black oak are getting reflected in lakes, a beautiful contrast to blue skies and lazy autumn days, reports Alena Nicholas from The Bernardinos.
Big Bear – Patchy (10-50%)
Barton Flats – Patchy (10-50%)
Jenks Lake – Patchy (10-50%)
[wunderground location=”Big Bear Lake, CA” numdays=”4″ showdata=”daynames,icon,date,conditions,highlow” layout=”simple”]
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Groves at Cardinal Village, Bishop Creek (10/2/16) Daniel Stas
A lot changed this week which we were unable to report, due to “technical difficulties.” Fundamentally, high areas of the canyon were at peak on Friday, then conditions deteriorated with North Lake – in particular – taking the biggest hit. Wind stripped the beautiful color on Saturday and it was gone by Sunday.
We weren’t sure, until we’d received confirming reports from several spotters, as some of our very reliable spotters up the canyon were unable to report. Now, I know you all want to know:
Q. “What does this mean for fall color viewing and photography?”
A. Peak color can be seen at many, many areas of Bishop Creek Canyon and throughout the Eastern Sierra. More areas will peak in coming days. So, despite that several favorite areas have peaked, the show isn’t over. Far from it.
Please be mindful, however, of where it’s peaking and avoid fruitless trips to places where it has already peaked. You missed it, there.
In a nutshell, here’s where to go and where not near Bishop, Calif.
North Lake Road, Bishop Creek (10/2/16) Daniel Stas
General Conditions – Bishop Creek Canyon
Above 9000’ – Past Peak YOU MISSED IT!
8,000’ and 9,000’ – Near Peak (50-75%) to Peak (75-100%)
7,000’ to 8,000’ – Patchy (10-50%)
Weir Pond (9,650’) – Past Peak YOU MISSED IT!
Sabrina Lake, Bishop Creek (10/2/16) Daniel Stas
Sabrina Campground Area (9,000’) – Peak ( 75-100%) to Past Peak GO NOW! or YOU MISSED IT! – The aspen along Hwy 168 are now past peak, however aspen within the campground itself and along the stream are still peaking.
Parchers Resort (9,260’) – Past Peak YOU MISSED IT! – The canyon walls to the east and west of the resort are now past peak.
Willow Campground (9,000’) – Peak to Past Peak YOU ALMOST MISSED IT! – The campground and the aspen lining the road and the beaver pond are still holding their peak color, though many have peaked.
Table Mountain Camp (8,900’) – Peak to Past Peak YOU ALMOST MISSED IT! – The mountainside down canyon from the campground is now past peak, though aspen along the creek are peaking.
Surveyors Meadow (8,975’) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! – Surveyor’s meadow is now a mix of peaking and past peak stands. Give it another week of peak color here.
Lake Sabrina (9,150’) – Peak (75-100%) to Past Peak YOU ALMOST MISSED IT!
Sabrina Approach, Bishop Creek (10/2/16) Daniel Stas
Sabrina Approach (9,100’) – Near Peak (50-75%) – The approach to Sabrina and the small ponds below the dam are peaking.
Quaking Aspen, Bishop Creek (10/2/16) Daniel Stas
Quaking Aspen, Bishop Creek (10/2/16) Daniel Stas
Quaking Aspen, Bishop Creek (10/2/16) Daniel Stas
Quaking Aspen, Bishop Creek (10/2/16) Daniel Stas
North Lake (9,255’) – Past Peak YOU MISSED IT!
North Lake Road – Past Peak YOU MISSED IT!
Mist Falls and the groves above Bishop Creek Lodge (8,350’) – Peak ( 75-100%) GO NOW! – Absolutely beautiful. This area has a week or two left of peak color.
Aspendell (8,400’) – Patchy (10-50%)– Aspendell is often one of the last areas of Bishop Creek Canyon to change. This area has many stands of lush aspen in it.
Groves above Cardinal Village (8,550’) – Peak ( 75-100%) GO NOW! – The canyon slope from above Cardinal Village up to Cardinal Pinnacle is losing its peak color, though areas near the middle fork of Bishop Creek and surrounding Cardinal Village are peaking.
Four Jeffries (8,000’) – Patchy (10 – 50%) – More yellow is appearing.
Intake II (8,000’) – Near Peak (50-75%) – Lovely right now!
Big Trees Campground (7,800’) – Patchy – (10 – 50%) – Yellow is now showing among the aspen.
Round Valley – Patchy (10-50%) – Gigi deJong reports that the Round Valley, northwest of Bishop, is carpeted with brilliant cadmium yellow rabbitbrush, providing a spectacular scene, particularly in morning light. Cottonwood along Pine Creek are a mix of developing gold and lime.
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