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One Last Shot of Hope

Hope Valley (10/16/17) Susan Taylor

Hope Valley (10/16/17) Susan Taylor

Hope Valley (10/16/17) Susan Taylor

Susan Taylor sent these images taken in the Hope Valley, last week. They were such jewels, though no longer available to be seen, that we had to share them.

What you’re more likely to see are those taken by Phillip Reedy and Clayton Peoples.

Phillip timed a visit to be in the Hope Valley and setup before sunrise to photograph snow and fall color before the snow would begin to melt.

He noted that while most of the aspen in the Hope Valley are now bare, there are some with reasonably good color remaining.  Though, the cabin at Red Lake Creek is now “totally bare, even on the mountainside above the cabin.”

Aspen Leaves and Snow, Hope Valley (10/20/17) Phillip Reedy

Clayton Peoples had the same idea, visiting Lake Tahoe and finding spots of color surrounded by a wet dusting of heavy snow.

The heavy blanket of snow dropped late last week has mostly melted (following the warm, sunny weather that followed) and the scene is similar to the Hope Valley, mostly Past Peak, but with pockets of color to be seen.

Clayton wrote, “Color can be found in the lower elevations (near the Lake) among aspens and cottonwoods; it can also be found in a few aspen groves hanging tough in the higher elevations.

“For instance, near Tahoe Meadows (on the NV side, along Mt. Rose Highway), there is a gnarled, weathered grove of aspens that tends to turn color in mid-October despite its high elevation (approximately 8,000ft). This grove is going off right now, and is at Peak (75-100%). A number of inches have fallen at this elevation, adding to the beauty. At the right angle, one can capture a photo of orange-hued aspens with the majestic Lake Tahoe in the background, 2,000ft below.

Tahoe Meadows (10/20/17) Clayton Peoples

Hope Valley – Past Peak – You Missed It.

Lake Tahoe – Past Peak – You Missed It.

Lake Tahoe (10/20/17) Clayton Peoples

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More Fall Photo Contest Entries

CaliforniaFallColor.com previously posted a report on Cotton Carrier’s Fall Photo Contest.

This is a contest in which visitors to the site vote for their favorite fall color photo. The winner receives a canvas print of their photo, a Cotton Carrier G3 camera holder and recognition as a photographer.

To vote or enter the contest (Deadline Nov. 15), go to CottonCarrier.com. Following are additional photographs submitted by CaliforniaFallColor.com contributors. To see all photos entered, search “Photo Contest”.

We encourage all readers to vote for their favorite.

Cook’s Meadow, Yosemite Valley – James Forbes

The Fall of My Life, Red Lake, CA – (2016) Robert Kermen

S. Yuba River, Cisco Grove, CA (2016) Robert Kermen

North Lake, Bishop Creek Canyon, CA (2014) Jay Huang

English Walnut Orchard, Durham, CA (2015) Robert Kerman

Note: The contest’s official rules have been changed since first reported, to reassure entrants that they will retain rights to submitted photographs.

Cotton Carrier had originally used boilerplate language in its official rules – provided within the contest template – that allowed Cotton Carrier to use the photographs, but that was never their intent and contradicted what they had communicated to us.

A revised rule now states, “Acceptance of prize constitutes permission for Cotton Carrier LTD to use winner’s name, likeness, and entry for purposes of advertising and trade without further compensation, unless prohibited by law.”

This limits exposure only to the winner and allows the winner to not accept the prize and thus not interfere with any rights it may have assigned to a stock agency, removes language of which some photographers were concerned and removes our concern about the original language which allowed Cotton Carrier to use all photographs submitted.

The object lesson learned from this instance is to always read contest rules carefully, as entering could give away your rights to your work.

Photo contests should never result in diminishing ownership or commercial rights to images for photographers. Instead, they should only seek to recognize excellent work, which is what Cotton Carrier intended. 

We are indebted to those photographers who alerted us that Cotton Carrier’s initial promise to photographers that they would retain rights to their submissions was not supported by the contest rules, and to Cotton Carrier for being a stand-up company that supports photographers, recognizing the problem and quickly changing the official rules to assure that entrants are treated fairly.

Now, let’s go and vote for a winner.

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It Hasta Be Shasta: Trinity Scenic Byway

Lewiston Bridge (10/19/17) Jeri Rangel

Another of the areas Near Peak to Peaking in the Shasta Cascade region is Trinity County.

Shasta Cascade color spotter Jeri Rangel traveled the Trinity Heritage Scenic Byway (CA-3) , yesterday, including scoring a First Report for Lewiston, which requires a detour (Trinity Dam Blvd.) from the route.

From Redding, head west on CA-299 toward Weaverville (great color, plus a fascinating historic downtown and Joss House State Historic Park – all worth seeing). Trinity Dam Blvd. is a couple of miles before the turn north onto the scenic byway (CA-3).

Her route along the scenic byway traveled north from Weaverville on Hwy 3, past Trinity Lake, Trinity Center, the Trinity Alps and Etna, Scott Valley, the Marble Mountains and Ft. Jones, finding “fabulous” fall colors that have “popped out brightly all over and just about at the same time!”

She estimates that the route is at full peak, though this is an area that should stay good through early November.

Trinity Heritage Scenic Byway, CA-3 – Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW!

Dogwood, Norwegian Area, North Trinity Lake (10/19/17) Jeri Rangel

Scott Mountain, CA-3 (10/19/17) Jeri Rangel

Coffee Creek Rd., CA-3 (10/19/17) Jeri Rangel

Dogwood, CA-3 (10/19/17) Jeri Rangel

Trinity Center, CA-3 (10/19/17) Jeri Rangel

Trinity Alps Wilderness (10/18/17) Larry Leigh

Etna, Scott Valley (10/19/17) Jeri Rangel

 

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It Hasta Be Shasta: Meadow Valley

Sugar Maple, Acer saccharum, Meadow Valley (10/19/17) Michael Beatley

Years ago, “It Hasta Be Shasta” was the motto of one of my PR clients, the Shasta Beverage Company. That motto sure fits what’s happening up north, as fall color is now filling the Shasta Cascade with beauty.

For the coming week, it hasta be Shasta.

Penny farthing in a field, North Arm of Indian Valley (10/17/17) Michael Beatley

Color spotter Michael Beatley was riding past Meadow Valley (not on the penny farthing seen at left) when he spied a Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum).

Sugar maples are exotic trees (native to eastern Canada and the northeast U.S.), known for their brilliant fall color.

Meadow Valley is eight miles west of Quincy on the old Beckwourth Trail where Black Bart robbed stage coaches in the late 1870s. The town was settled around 1850.

Bigleaf maple, Indian rhubarb, Indian Creek,
Taylorsville (10/17/17) Michael Beatley

It sits at the base of Spanish Peak in the Plumas National Forest, which is full of native aspen, maple, dogwood, cottonwood, pine and fir.

Michael reports that “CA-89 from CA-70 towards Taylorsville, Greenville and Chester is very beautiful, with a lot of color along Indian Creek.”

Meadow Valley – Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW!

Indian Creek, Taylorsville (10/17/17) Michael Beatley

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spanish Peak, Meadow Valley (10/17/17) Michael Beatley

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Tree of Heaven: The Devil’s Work

Tree of Heaven, Ailanthus altissima, Anderson (10/18/17) Gabriel Leete

Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima)  is less angelic than it is the devil’s work.

It is one of many invasive, non-native species that, once established, takes over the natural landscape preventing native trees from growing.

While beautiful in autumn with its bright red color, Tree of Heaven will produce over 52 million seeds during its 100-year life.

That’s much more than other trees like maples and oaks. And, while oaks will take decades to produce acorns, Ailanthus produce viable seeds in just a few years.

Modern Farmer writes that “the book,  A Tree Grows In Brooklyn, was about an Ailanthus, using its ability to thrive in cement or garbage, with poor soil, poor light, and poor water supply, as a metaphor.

“If you cut it down, it’ll regrow from its own roots. It also blocks out native plants, altering local ecosystems, partly because it grows so fast and efficiently, and partly because it is allelopathic, meaning that it produces chemicals that inhibit the growth of nearby plants. It isn’t content to just box out native plants; it cheats.”

Native to China, Ailanthus is prized there for its use in traditional Chinese medicines and as a habitat for silk worms.

However, here it has only ornamental value and takes over habitat that would otherwise be populated by native species.

Modern Farmer writes, “Currently, there are no easy options (to eradicate them); some solutions involve hacking notches into the trunk with a machete before applying herbicide, or pulling out the entire root system of younger trees.”

So, enjoy the beauty of Tree of Heaven, but don’t encourage them. There really are devils beneath those angels’ wings.

 

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Storm Arriving

Truckee River (10/19/17) Herb Huang

Foray Rd., Greenville, Plumas County (10/18/17) Jeff Luke Titcomb

Locations like these, shot by Herb Huang and Jeff Luke Titcomb, will be overcast for the next 24-hours as a storm passes over Northern California.

The storm will blow turned leaves from most trees, but it won’t denude them.

Lots of color will remain, particularly on trees that were nearing peak, as they still have the strength in the leaves to, as Avril Lavigne would sing…

Keep holding on
‘Cause you know we’ll make it through
We’ll make it through
Just stay strong
‘Cause you know I’m here for you
I’m here for you
There’s nothing you could say
Nothing you could do
There’s no other way when it comes to the truth
So keep holding on
‘Cause you know we’ll make it through
We’ll make it through

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Bishop Creek – You Missed It.

Sabrina Lake (10/12/17) Jeff Hemming

Bishop Creek Canyon is now almost entirely Past Peak.

Aspendell, Bishop Creek Canyon (10/14/17) Adam Weist

Whenever we report that an area is Past Peak, there’ll surely be someone who will send a photograph showing we’re wrong. Yes, there is still great color to be seen up Bishop Creek. However, for the most part it has blown. Tomorrow’s predicted wind event (gusting to 30 mph over ridges) will almost certainly strip what little remains.

The featured photograph (above) was taken by Jeff Hemming a week ago (Oct. 12) at Sabrina Lake (Bishop Creek Canyon). It shows Near Peak color at an area that has peaked in September in years past. Such is this autumn. It has been topsy turvy, cattywampus, totally out of sync.

Today, Sabrina Lake is officially Past Peak, though no doubt peak color can be seen today where it was green a week ago. As seen in Suvadeep Ghosh Dastidar’s images, South Lake Rd. still has pockets of late-turning fall color, though most color spotters would classify the canyon, overall, as Past Peak.

That’s the story of this autumn… of stands of aspen changing in staggered displays according to their internal genetic clock.

So, what remains to be seen in Inyo County?

South Inyo County is at Peak or Near Peak at Big Pine Creek, the Whitney Fish Hatchery and Alabama Hills. Spectacular Peak color was seen this past week on the trail to Whitney Portal. Likely, spots of that color remain, though the big ribbon of color (search Whitney Portal to see it), is gone.

Near Peak to Peak this week will be Pine Creek Rd. and the Round Valley, north of Bishop, with an impressive, long and scenic band of lush Frémont and black cottonwood, likely California’s best groves. Eastern Sierra color spotters have ignored Pine Creek, perhaps because it has cottonwood, not aspen. They shouldn’t, as the trees are backed by a breathtaking range of peaks at the western end of the canyon. This could be a great drone shot, which we’d love to post (YouTube).

The Round Valley (north of Bishop) also has towering cottonwood, some near weathered old cabins… well worth a detour.

Eastern Sierra

Southern Inyo County

  • Whitney Portal (8,374’) – Peak to Past Peak  – You Almost Missed It.
  • Onion Valley (9,600’) – Past Peak – You Missed It.
  • Big Pine Creek (7,660’) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
  • Whitney Fish Hatchery (4,000’) – Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW!
  • Alabama Hills (4,534’) –Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW!

Northern Inyo County

Mountain Glen, S. Fork Bishop Creek (10/16/17) Suvadeep Ghosh Dastidar

South Lake, Bishop Creek Canyon

  • Weir Pond (9,650’) – Past Peak – You Missed It.
  • Parchers Resort (9,260’) -Past Peak – You Missed It.
  • Willow Campground (9,000’) – Past Peak – You Missed It.
  • Surveyors Meadow (8,975’) -Past Peak – You Missed It.
  • Table Mountain Group Camp (8,900’) –Past Peak – You Missed It.
  • Mountain Glen -Past Peak – You Missed It.
  • Mist Falls and Groves above Bishop Creek Lodge (8,350’) -Past Peak – You Missed It.
  • Four Jeffrey (8,000’) – Peak (75-100%)  GO NOW!

 

S. Fork Bishop Creek (10/16/17) Suvadeep Ghosh Dastidar

Sabrina Lake, Bishop Creek Canyon

  • Lake Sabrina (9,150’) – Past Peak – You Missed It.
  • Sabrina Approach (9,100′) – Past Peak – You Missed It.
  • Sabrina Campground (9,000’) – Past Peak – You Missed It.
  • Groves above Cardinal Village (8,550’) – Past Peak – You Missed It.
  • Aspendell (8,400’) – Past Peak – You Missed It.
  • Intake II (8,000’) – Past Peak – You Missed It.
  • Big Trees Campground (7,800’) – Near Peak (50-75%)    GO NOW!

 

Willows, Campground,
S. Fork Bishop Creek (10/16/17) Suvadeep Ghosh Dastidar

North Lake

  • North Lake Road (9,000’) – Past Peak – You Missed It.
  • North Lake (9,255’) – Past Peak – You Missed It.
  • Upper North Lake Road (9,255’) – Past Peak – You Missed It.

Pine Creek/Round Valley

  • Pine Creek Pack Station (7,441′) – Past Peak – You Missed It.
  • Pine Creek Road (7,200′) – Near Peak (50-75%)  GO NOW!
  • Round Valley (7,000′) – Near Peak (50-75%)  GO NOW!
  • Lower Rock Creek Road (7,000′) – Near Peak (50-75%)  GO NOW!

Owens Valley/Bishop

  • Owens Valley (4,100′) – Patchy (10-50%)
  • Bishop (4,150′) – Patchy (10-50%)
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Mono County: Last Call for Peak Color

June Lake Loop (10/18/17) Josh Wray | Mammoth Lakes Tourism

Grant Lake, June Lake Loop (10/18/17) Jeff Simpson | Mono County Tourism

Grant Lake, June Lake Loop (10/18/17) Jeff Simpson | Mono County Tourism

June Lake Loop (10/18/17) Jeff Simpson | Mono County Tourism

Silver Lake, June Lake Loop (10/18/17) Jeff Simpson | Mono County Tourism

Silver Lake, June Lake Loop (10/18/17) Jeff Simpson | Mono County Tourism

Parker Lake, Past Peak (10/18/17) Josh Wray | Visit Mammoth

June Lake Loop (10/18/17) Josh Wray | Visit Mammoth

June Lake Loop (10/18/17) Josh Wray | Visit Mammoth

June Lake Loop (10/18/17) Josh Wray | Visit Mammoth

June Lake Loop (10/18/17) Josh Wray | Visit Mammoth

McGee Creek Canyon (10/18/17) Alicia Vennos | Mono County Tourism

Lower Rock Creek Rd. (10/18/17) Alicia Vennos | Mono County Tourism

Alger Creek, June Lake Loop (10/15/17) Laura Shane

Silver Lake, June Lake Loop (10/15/17) Laura Shane

If you don’t plan to visit Mono County within a week, you’re likely to have missed the last big display of fall color in the Eastern Sierra.

That’s because, with the exception of June Lake, all other large stands of aspen are just about done. In particular, Lower Rock Creek Rd., McGee Creek Rd., Convict Lake, Conway Summit, Lundy Canyon, Summers Meadow Rd., Twin Lakes/Bridgeport and Lower Lee Vining Canyon are nearly past peak, though still beautiful… for the moment.

With high winds “predicted to hit the Eastern Sierra over the next few days,” there is a good chance that a lot of the aspen still carrying leaves will drop their deepest color. Though, a residue of color will remain hanging from branches through the end of October.

For those who don’t plan to travel to Mono County this week, pockets of bright autumn color will continue to develop along the West Walker River, the June Lake Loop and in Walker, Coleville and Topaz into early November.

Here’s Mono County’s report (north to south on US 395):

Walker Canyon (5,200′)- Peak (75-100%)  – The banks of the West Walker River are lined with gold. Take Little Walker River Road to Obsidian Campground for additional leafy delight. GO NOW!

Towns of Walker & Coleville – Near Peak (50-75%) – The big cottonwoods along US 395 are coming along nicely and should be perfect even after this weekend’s storm. Head up to Topaz Lake for spectacular lake shots. GO NOW!

Twin Lakes/Bridgeport (7,000′) –  Peak (75-100%) – There’s still great color along Upper and Lower Twin lakes and down Robinson Creek into the campgrounds. GO NOW!

Summers Meadow (7,200′) -Peak to Past Peak  – Most of this spectacular valley is past peak but you can still find sections of wonderful color. (You Almost Missed It.)

Virginia Lakes (9,819’) – Past Peak – You Missed It.

Conway Summit (8,143′)- Peak to Past Peak  – Only a few groves were still carrying lots of leaves at Conway Summit this morning. It still has some great photo ops, but won’t last long. (You Almost Missed It.)

Lundy Lake Rd. (10/18/17) Jeff Simpson | Mono County Tourism

Tioga Pass & Lee Vining Canyon (9,943′) – Peak to Past Peak – The upper elevations of Tioga Pass are now Past Peak but lower Lee Vining Canyon all the way down to Mono Lake are ripe with color. (You Almost Missed It.)

Lundy Lake & Canyon (7,858′)- Peak to Past Peak – Lundy Canyon Trail is now past peak, plus the leaves at the Beaver Ponds were barely hanging on, but there is still wonderful color along the road and at the campground. (You Almost Missed It.)

Parker Lake (8,000′) – You Missed It. – A grove of brilliant aspen at the far end of the lake provides one of the few spots of color.

June Lake Loop/Hwy 158 (7,654′) – Peak (75-100%) – Jeff Simpson toured the June Lake Loop this morning and it’s simply spectacular with peaking color all around the loop. Go now before the storm hits. Mammoth Lakes’ Josh Wray agrees, saying the June Lake Loop, “is the brightest I’ve ever seen it, particularly at Silver Lake, and in between Grant Lake and Silver Lake. GO NOW!

McGee Creek Canyon (8,600’) –Peak to Past Peak – McGee Creek Canyon is now Past Peak but there is terrific color along the road and at the pack station. (You Almost Missed It.)

Around Crowley community (6,781′) – Peak (75-100%) – Full peak from Tom’s Place to McGee Creek along US 395. GO NOW!

June Lake Loop (10/18/17) Josh Wray | Visit Mammoth

Convict Lake (7850′) – Peak to Past Peak – Patchy sections of peaking aspen ring the lake. (You Almost Missed It.)

Rock Creek Road (9,600’) – Peak to Past Peak – Peak color can be seen along lower Rock Creek Rd to Tom’s Place. The upper sections of the road are all now past peak. (You Almost Missed It.)

Lower Rock Creek Road – Peak (75-100%) – Clusters of towering cottonwood, crested with gold flank Lower Rock Creek Rd. from Tom’s Place to the Round Valley. GO NOW!

Parker Lake, (10/18/17) Josh Wray | Visit Mammoth

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Past Peak Can Still Be Beautiful

Sorensens Cabin, Hope Valley (10/14/17) Brian Patterson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Past Peak color can still be beautiful, as seen in Brian Patterson’s photograph of Sorensens Cabin.

Hope Valley – Past Peak – You Missed It.

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Lee Vining Starting to Go

Lee Vining Canyon (10/17/17) Roger Gonzales

Lee Vining Canyon (10/17/17) Roger Gonzales

Roger Gonzales was in Lee Vining Canyon (east side of Yosemite National Park) yesterday, reporting that it is starting to go.

As evidence, golden chips of aspen leaves littered the canyon floor.

While Roger classified the canyon  as Past Peak, there was so much orange color in some of the groves, they’re definitely at Peak though about to fall.

Whether an area is at Peak or Past Peak is one of those in-the-eye-of-the-beholder questions.

A rule of thumb is that as long as a grove has substantial color left in it, the stand is at Peak. Though, it can be classified as from Peak to Past Peak (You almost missed it.).

 

 

 

Lee Vining Canyon (10/17/17) Roger Gonzales

Lee Vining Canyon (10/17/17) Roger Gonzales

However, once most of the leaves have dropped (even though some remain) and – most importantly – if the stand has lost its photogenic interest, then it is Past Peak and You Missed It.

Lee Vining Canyon – Peak to Past Peak (You Almost Missed It.)

 

 

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