Lara Kaylor – Page 4 – California Fall Color

Grass Valley = GO Right Now!

Color spotter Michelle English exclaimed this weekend that Grass Valley and Nevada City are a GO RIGHT THIS VERY SECOND!

“While the few iconic huge trees are done, the area is definitely at peak right meow! It’s insane.”

“My brother and I have been leaf peepin’ like crazy lately! So much to see here in town – and all the native maples, dogwoods, and oaks going off along every local hiking and walking trail. Pretty certain I even saw either the county, or Nevada City listed as a top 10 western US fall destination recently. Definitely glorious currently!”

So get out there before it’s gone!

November 12, 2023 by Lara Kaylor

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.

November 12, 2023 by Lara Kaylor

Fall Color Report, Southern California

Colors Galore at Lake Arrowhead

Color spotter Zhibin Guan visited Lake Arrowhead this weekend and found plenty of beautiful colors along some of the streets near the lake, even though it is starting to head toward past peak.

Lake Arrowhead (5,174′) – Peak to Past Peak – GO NOW, YOU ALMOST MISSED IT.

November 11, 2023 by Lara Kaylor

Fall Color Report, Shasta Cascade

Transitioning in Plumas

Autumn has been spectacular in Plumas County and it’s not over yet!

The cottonwoods have finally decided to turn yellow behind Chester’s Olsen Barn Meadow along the banks of the North Fork Feather River.

Betty Bishop, who lives near the meadow, captured some “Cottonwood colors” just this week. There is a flat, two-mile loop trail around the barn adjacent to the river to get up close to take in the lovely colors.

The splendor of Indian Valley also continues to shine with this week’s rainbow appearing during a storm over the yellow-orange cottonwoods. Jake Edwards of Scenescapery was there to capture the scene.

Additionally, the oaks along La Porte Road are still looking lovely. You can drive up La Porte Road to Pilot Peak Road and take a lovely hike to Pilot Peak for some lovely views.

Finally, as fall slowly fades into winter in this area, preparations are underway for the opening of the ice skating rink on November 24. With cold temperatures and a recent dusting of snow you should GO NOW! to this area.

November 10, 2023 by Lara Kaylor

Fall Color Report, San Francisco Bay Area

Livermore Lights Up

Color spotter Michelle Pontoni ventured south of the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory this week to find vineyards and shoot some late afternoon color to share with everyone.

From interstate 580 in Livermore, take South Vasco Rd to Tesla, she said. Going left on Tesla and right on Greenville Rd. take you past rows and rows of colorful vineyards beyond white fences.

“In the distance, the rolling hills are striped with alternating golds, reds, greens, and yellows. Signs along the way announce several wineries open for tasting.”

Livermore Valley – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!

November 10, 2023 /1 Comment/by Lara Kaylor

Eastern Sierra, Fall Color Report

Fall Fades Into Winter in Mono

Fresh snow and the very last bits of color made for some beautiful photos in Mammoth Lakes on Nov. 7.

It is a transitional time in the mountains and while the fall color has passed peak, there are still signs of the season winding down, such as bear tracks in color spotter Angie Plaisted’s driveway!

The bears and the fall colors are about to close out the season. Make plans to visit this area in 2024.

November 8, 2023 by Lara Kaylor

Central Valley, Fall Color Report

Davis is Divine

Philip Reedy stayed close to home this week and found color around his neighborhood in Davis.

“As a counterpoint to my recent 500-mile color trips to the mountains, today I took my grandson on a five-block tour of our neighborhood, where the trees have suddenly burst into color,” Reedy explained. “As my recent trips have made clear, the mountains are pretty much done for this year, but the valley is just coming into its own.”

Davis (52′) – NEAR PEAK (50-75%) Go Now.

November 7, 2023 by Lara Kaylor

Fall Color Report, High Sierra

Yosemite Magic

Yosemite is magical any time of year but especially as fall fades into winter, as color spotter Angie Plaisted discovered this week.

“Yosemite never disappoints, but yesterday was just incredible,” she said. “It was the most beautiful I’ve ever seen it, and we hit some areas I’ve never been to.”

The area is currently peaking and you should GO NOW to experience this national park gem at a special time of year.

November 7, 2023 by Lara Kaylor

Fall Color Report, Southern California

Big Bear Past Peak

Jim Van Matre visited Big Bear last weekend and reports that it is definitely past peak.

“There are still some colors, mostly on the south shore,” he said. These photos are from the Bluff Lake area on county road 2N10. Around the neighborhoods of Big Bear there are a lot of colorful planted exotic trees, but most of the native trees are fading.

Make plans to visit this location in 2024 for more fall foliage opportunities.

November 6, 2023 by Lara Kaylor

Fall Color Report, San Francisco Bay Area

Down By the Bay

Color spotter Vishal Mishra was excited to share that fall is slowly but surely picking up in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Mishra visited Saratoga and Woodside on Nov. 4 and reported the following: “Happy to share that, I finally have some colors picking up from the San Francisco Bay Area. We have not been lucky yet with the rain but it seems we can expect cooler temperatures in the coming days, so I am hoping for a fantastic fall foliage this year.”

Keep an eye on the Bay Area for upcoming GO NOW conditions.