The Southern Sierra have been hit hard by drought. 60 million conifers have died from bark beetles. As, in a drought, the trees are less able to defend themselves by pushing sap to block infestation by the beetles.
We received a report today that, as a result of the drought, many aspen are so dry at 7,000′ that “they simply shed their leaves.”
And yet, fall color survives. At Sequoia National Park, this past weekend, color spotter Leor Pantilat found a stand of aspen at the base of the mountain that was at peak with brilliant orange mixed in.
He reports that while the aspen are probably past peak by now, cottonwood will peak this week or next, meaning that fall color at Sequoia National Park continues.
California Fall Color is a proponent of looking down, not just up. Leor confirmed that dictum, by noting that the High Sierra was carpeted with red and yellow ground cover.
So, look down as well as up when hiking Mineral King.
Mineral King, Sequoia National Park – Peak (75-100%) to Past Peak GO NOW!
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