Bishop Creek – Still Not Much

Above 8,500′, fall color has developed quickly over the past week, reports Jared Smith of Parcher’s Resort, though it’s still not much and arriving about a week later than usual.

Jared sent this report yesterday and noted mostly Just Starting to Patchy color up the canyon. The best of it is at the higher elevations and he anticipates that it should evolve quickly, as overnight temperatures have been in the 30s for the past two weeks.

Every day, there is less and less light, meaning that less chlorophyl is being produced in the leaves, so the color change is inevitable. Its vibrancy is the question. Warm days and cold nights are ideal conditions for vibrant color and that’s what’s happening up Bishop Creek Canyon. As Jared writes, “don’t be afraid to wander up the hill over the next few days, you might be surprised by how quickly the color explodes.”

Below 8,500′ not much is happening with the exception that some scrub aspen near Four Jeffries and Intake 2 campground are showing color. “Aspen are quite literally changing in hue by the day as we see the dark greens lighten to lime. A few yellow branches here and there, but we need another week before the lower sections of the canyon have much eye-catching fall color.”

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Here’s Jared’s latest report:

• Sabrina Campground to Sabrina Dam (9000ft) – Patchy (10% – 50%)
  The groves near Sabrina camp are usually the first aspen to really pop, and this year is no exception. Some orange and red are even visible already. As you wind up towards Lake Sabrina though, things mellow back down to light green. I’m really looking forward to showcasing this area next weekend.
• Willow Campground (9000ft) – Patchy (10% – 50%)
  Beautiful views from the road near Willow Camp, especially of the canyon wall above Parchers Resort & Rainbow Pack Outfit, but the trees along the road, which weather permitting will be gorgeous eventually, are mostly just light green.
• North Lake (9255ft) – Patchy (10% – 50%)
  The yellow has started to develop on the far side of the lake, especially low on the hill near the shoreline. The higher aspen, the aspen lining the now famous road view and the campground still have  a ways to go.
• Weir Pond (9650ft) – Patchy (10% – 50%)
  The yellow is beginning to show on the west canyon wall above this scenic little pond. This spot is notoriously quick to turn and I could tell a difference in the color just between Saturday morning and Sunday afternoon, so I should have some good shots to share next week.
• Parchers Resort (9260ft) – Patchy (10% – 50%)
  The east canyon wall is covered in scrub aspen and the color is coming on, especially looking up canyon from the resort. This is another place which should be blanketed in yellow before too long.
• Table Mountain Camp (8900ft) – Patchy (10% – 50%)
  One of the more stunning groves which parallels South Lake Road, yellow is making it’s move and taking over the green hues quickly.
• Surveyors Meadow (8975ft) – Patchy (10% – 50%)
  This area offers some of the best views in the canyon when it’s lit up, and although it’s not there yet, there is substantial yellow showing and right next to the creek there is even a small patch of orange bursting from the edge of the grove.
• Lake Sabrina (9150ft) – Patchy (10% – 50%)
  Views from the dam will be stunning soon, but as of now just some patchy color, especially along the east shore across from the dam and near the rockslide.
• Mist Falls and the groves above Bishop Creek Lodge (8350ft) – Just Starting – (0 – 10%)
  Typically a late bloomer as far as fall color is concerned, this spot is about where we’d expect it given the conditions throughout the canyon. Look for this to be one of the best stops in mid October if the weather plays ball.
• Aspendell (8400ft) – Just Starting – (0 – 10%)
  Not much going on in this charming little village yet. There’s a single yellow tree just before the neighborhood begins, but by en large we’re still seeing a sea of green.
• Groves above Cardinal Village (8550ft) – Patchy (10% – 50%)
  This was my biggest surprise of the week, having eaten breakfast here 3 times this week. What an amazing difference from a week ago. Lots of yellow has taken over the shrubs on the east canyon wall extending down from Cardinal Peak down to the creekside groves adjacent to the old Cardinal Mine. This area is going to be amazing in another week if things continue on the current path.