A Tale of Two Creeks
Colors up Highway 32 along Deer Creek on the way up to Chico are going off right now, reports color spotter Philip Reedy.
“Some beautiful colors everywhere I went,” he says. “I headed from Davis to Chico bright and early Friday planning to check out Midway Road between Durham and Chico. Along the way there were many orchards that have turned orange.”
Midway is noted for the canopy of trees lining the road that exhibit lovely red, orange, and yellow colors in November. The trees were at 50% now, so the next two weeks should be great, Reedy explains.
“I drove through Chico on my way to Bidwell Park and Big Chico Creek. The city has many tree-lined streets and the Esplanade near Bidwell Mansion is peaking right now. The trees have begun to turn in Upper Bidwell Park and there are some great spots near the Bear Hole parking lot to enjoy the colors. It will probably be a week or two before the park reaches peak.”
The highlight of the day was the drive along Highway 32 (Deer Creek Highway). From about 2,000 ft to 4,000 ft elevation, the highway was lined with big leaf maple and oak at peak color.
“It seemed like I was pulling over every 100 yards to take another picture,” Reedy says. “And the Indian Rhubarb along Deer Creek had also fully turned, completing the color trifecta.”
Once he passed 4,000 ft elevation and reached Slate Creek and the Elam campground the trees were completely bare and the rhubarb and grasses along the creek were brown.
Highway 32 along Deer Creek is a definitely “GO NOW!,” but the lower elevations along the highway should be good for another week.
- Chico (197′) – Near Peak (50-75%) Go Now.
