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.).
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.)
This was my first time submitting. Stoked to finally participate and not just live vicariously through the site!
So glad you sent those images, Roger. It’s truly gratifying to see how California’s autumn is inspiring creativity and exploration. There’s more to come. Plumas County is now peaking and June Lake still has great color to photograph.