The official first day of autumn is still five days away, but this year fall is coming in like a lion. Leaf peepers from around the state have been sending in reports this week showing off the changes that are already beginning to occur.
Based on what we’re hearing, we’d recommend you start planning your fall color adventures now as it seems Mother Nature just can’t wait to show off in her most colorful season.
Things started moving along last week when Soyoung Kim visited Bishop Creek, along the 168, on Sept. 8. A sprinkling of orange could already be seen among some aspens.
Gary Young was also at the South Fork of Bishop Creek on Sept. 14 and noted that the smoke from the Garnet Fire was still making things difficult for long range photos. The aspens are just starting to turn colors, however. The big groves are still very green and very healthy looking, so a good year for fall colors will be upon us soon enough, he noted.
At Convict Lake, Lance Pifer noted that a lot of change was already starting to occur, which “kinda surprised” him as it did us here at CFC as well.
He added that Bishop was looking really colorful as well.
In Quincy, Jeff Titcomb reported much of the same story … colors arriving surprisingly early.
“Here is the beginning to our season,” he said of his photos. “It’s happening faster than I thought it would be. The Virginia Creeper is almost all red now. Not a wild vine but very pretty. The large leaf maples all along the streams and creeks are starting to change. The maples are beginning to get red touches of color.”
And in Southern California, Ruby Jay reported that it was quite a surprise to see fall colors in Southern California (Bluff Creek Drive in Playa Vista) in mid-September with the temperatures still warm, 75 degrees Fahrenheit in the daytime and 67 degrees at night.
“Guess they can‘t wait to show off anyway,” she said.
Fall color around the State – Just Starting (0-10%)
