Early Up, Late Down

We could be seeing an autumn where fall color is developing early up in the Cascade Range and late down in the Sierra.

All reports from the Shasta Cascade region, so far, indicate earlier than usual fall color, whereas in the Sierra the reports are of fall color developing a week later than last year.

What most surprised us was to receive a GO NOW! report from color spotter Clayton Peoples. He visited Lassen Volcanic National Park and Burney Falls on Sept. 19 and was “pleasantly surprised” to find Near Peak aspen not far from Long Lake.

The images Clayton sent appear to us to be at the high range of Patchy, though he notes 70% of the leaves have turned in the grove. So, we accept his evaluation and credit this as the first Near Peak report for trees in California.

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Here’s Clayton’s report:

• Long Lake, CA-Highway 44, Lassen County (5,740′) – Near Peak (50-75%) – This stretch of highway in Lassen County sports mostly evergreens, but there are a few aspen groves along the road. Not far from the aptly-named Long Lake, I was excited to find a scattered grove of aspens that were already “Near Peak”–my first of the year in CA. The dominant color in this particular grove was yellow, and I would estimate that around 70 percent of the leaves had already turned. It was a pleasant surprise on a peaceful journey to Lassen Volcanic National Park and surrounding areas. See attached photos.
• Manzanita Lake, Lassen Volcanic National Park (5,900′) – Just Starting (0-10%).  Very little change so far at Manzanita Lake. Even the famous willows along its shore were mostly green still. 
• Burney Falls (3,281′) Just Starting (0-10%). A few leaves are starting to change along the creek, but the main attraction–the black oak trees–are still sporting full green.