Shoofly Bridge, Indian Creek, Plumas County (10/22/19) Michael Beatley
It’s derelict, but boy is it pretty, especially with fall color reflecting below Shoofly Bridge in Indian Creek.
Plumas County color spotter Michael Beatly shares his images of Shoofly (an old miner’s term meaning “diversion” – also, the Shoofly Complex is a metamorphic rock structure found in the Northern Sierra) which sits at a bend in the creek, which – Michael opines – is probably the reason the old bridge (erected in 1889) is still standing today.
Shoofly Bridge (10/22/19) Michael Beatley
Shoofly Bridge (10/22/19) Michael Beatley
Shoofly Bridge (10/22/19) Michael Beatley
Shoofly Bridge, Indian Creek – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
A basket of wild Shasta County mushrooms (10.19/19) Gabriel Leete
Shasta Cascade color spotter Gabriel Leete did the Shasta Loop last Saturday, driving CA-299 from Redding to Burney, then north on the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway (CA-89) to Mt. Shasta and return.
Chanterelle, Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway (10/19/19) Gabriel Leete
He found peak fall color and lots of treasures along the way, including various mushrooms (he’s an expert – don’t do this unless you know what you’re picking) and memories of Burney Falls, Mt. Shasta and the Stand By Me Bridge, famous for its role in the 1986 film, Stand By Me.
Black oak, Stand By Me Bridge, Burney (10/19/19) Gabriel Leete
Black oak, Stand By Me Bridge, Burney (10/19/19) Gabriel Leete
In the motion picture, Wil Wheaton and Jerry O’Connor, as boys, outrun a train that is quickly overtaking them on the bridge. The 80-foot-tall bridge crosses Lake Britton near Burney. It is no longer used for rail traffic and it’s barricaded, so it’s not possible to walk across the bridge, though taking photos of it is possible.
Black oak, Burney Falls (10/19/19) Gabriel Leete
W. A. Barr Rd., Mt Shasta (10/19/19) Gabriel Leete
Lake Siskiyou, Mt. Shasta (10/19/19) Gabriel Leete
California Grape, CA-299, Cedar Creek (10/19/19) Gabriel Leete
CA-299E, Shasta County (2,000′) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
MacArthur-Burney Memorial SP, Burney (2,783′) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
Lake Siskiyou, Mt. Shasta (3,586′) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
Vine maple, Prairie Creek Redwoods SP (10/22/19) Max Forster
The North Coast is peaking, from Del Norte County south to Mendocino County with bigleaf maple, vine maple and poison oak painting the redwood forests in yellow, gold and crimson.
Bigleaf maple, Drury Parkway, Prairie Creek Redwoods SP (10/22/19) Max Forster
Bigleaf maple, Drury Parkway, Prairie Creek Redwoods SP (10/22/19) Max Forster
Bigleaf maple, Mill Creek, Jedediah Smith Redwood SP (10/22/19) Max Forster
Poison oak, Howland Hill Rd., Jedediah Smith Redwoods SP, Del Norte County (10/22/19) Max Forster
North Coast color spotter Max Forster sends this beautifully detailed report of where to see the best of it:
Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park (75%-100%)GO NOW! – Bigleaf maple are at peak and most of the vine maple are quickly approaching peak, as well. Many fine bigleaf maple can be seen from the roadside of Drury Parkway, particularly around the Big Tree area. Though, you can find pockets of color along the entire 9 mile drive. While the drive is great, visitors who are able to walk a few miles of the Prairie Creek Trail will be treated to the best show.
Redwood National Park – Patchy to Peak (10-100%) GO NOW! – There’s considerable variance in the park between the Lost Man Creek vs. Redwood Creek. Bigleaf maple along Lost Man Creek, specifically near Little Lost Man Creek, are at peak, with some are already past. While most the bigleaf along the Redwood Creek Trail are just starting to turn.
Jedidiah Smith Redwoods State Park Near Peak to Peak (50%-100%) GO NOW! – Much of the bigleaf maple along Mill Creek are approaching or are at peak. Poison oak is at peak. Great examples of the creeping vine climbing up redwood trees can be found along the northern section of Howland Hill Road. Other ground cover species are a bit further behind and will likely begin peaking next week. JSRSP has a prolific amount of ground cover vegetation and there are large sections of the the forest can be found carpeted in gold when you time your visit right in the autumn. Potential visitors should note that Howland Hill Road will be closed until Friday evening.
South Fork Smith River – Peak (75%-100%) GO NOW! – Pockets of golden bigleaf can be found along the entire 14 mile drive on South Fork Road from the town of Hiouchi to Big Flat Campground at the confluence of the South Fork Smith River and Hurdygurdy Creek. Visitors can also find Dogwood approaching peak sprinkled throughout the forest the further east you travel along the South Fork Road and along French Hill Road.
Maple, Big Bear Lake (10/19/19) Kathleen DiGregorio
Maple, Bluejay near Lake Arrowhead (10/20/19) Kathleen DiGregorio
No, “Going PP” is s not what you’re thinking. Shame on you. “Going PP” means, going Past Peak, and this is one of those hurry up and GO NOW alerts, and that’s not potty mouth advice.
As, Peak color is currently limited to Lake Arrowhead, Lake Gregory and a few other locations in the San Bernardino Mountains, and these areas are quickly going PP.
Now Past Peak is Big Bear Lake, though some bright color can still be found here and there.
You’ll find Southern California’s best fall color at Wrightwood (San Gabriel Mountains), Idyllwild and Lake Hemet (San Jacinto Mountains) and the Sespe Wilderness and Piedra Blanca Trail (Sierra Pelona Mountains).
Mt. Palomar and Mt. Laguna are Past Peak. Julian is peaking, though threatened by power outages (check before going – worth visiting!).
San Bernardino Mountains – Peak to Past Peak, GO NOW, YOU ALMOST MISSED IT.
San Gabriel Mountains – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
Sierra Pelona Mountains – Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW!
Mt. Laguna, Laguna Mountains – Past Peak, YOU MISSED IT.
Mt. Palomar, Peninsular Range – Past Peak, YOU MISSED IT.
Julian – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! – Check for power updates.
http://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.png00John Poimiroohttp://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.pngJohn Poimiroo2019-10-25 15:05:512019-10-25 17:37:12Going PP in the San Bernardinos
Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoia, Yosemite National Park (10/18/19) Steve Arita
It may be impossible to take a bad picture of Yosemite National Park. It’s just that beautiful.
Black oak and Merced River, Yosemite National Park (10/18/19) Steve Arita
Merced River, Yosemite National Park (10/18/19) Steve Arita
Southside Drive, Yosemite National Park (10/18/19) Steve Arita
Photographer’s Bridge, Yosemite National Park (10/18/19) Steve Arita
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park (10/18/19) Steve Arita
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park (10/18/19) Steve Arita
Steve Arita visited Yosemite Valley last Friday (apologies, this site’s crash delayed posting these) and found the park peaking. Mid October to mid November is when Yosemite is best, so if you go now, even though many of the dogwood and bigleaf maple are past peak, it won’t disappoint.
This is the time for black oak to peak and when their deep orange leaves and contrasting black branches and trunks are lit the Valley scene is breathtaking.
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
This is it. The last peak aspen can still be seen in a few locations throughout beautiful Mono County.
Twin Lakes, Bridgeport (10/23/19) Jeff Simpson
Twin Lakes, Bridgeport (10/23/19) Jeff Simpson
Twin Lakes, Bridgeport (10/23/19) Jeff Simpson
Mono County color spotter Jeff Simpson sent these dazzling photos of color around the edges of Twin Lakes near Bridgeport (there’s another “Twin Lakes” in the Mammoth Lakes Basin that is now Past Peak).
Mono County has shown spectacular color this autumn, but not in the places most fall foliage fans have come to expect the best color in the Eastern Sierra, namely the June Lake Loop, its necklace of gorgeous lakes and the inviting town of June Lakes.
Instead, the Sweetwater Mountains popped up as a great place for fall color, as did Mill Canyon and the Molybdenite Trail. Say, “Whaaat!?”
Yup. This autumn, you based in Mammoth Lakes or June Lakes, but then ventured to new places where it was peaking. Sure, there was lots of beautiful color still to be found in go-to places like Lundy Canyon, Rock Creek Canyon and Sagehen Summit, but this was the autumn to get to know all of Mono County. We hope you took that opportunity, as many of our readers did.
So, where can peak color still be found? Head to the Antelope Valley (the towns of Walker, Coleville and Topaz) to see some of California’s tallest cottonwood crested yellow, or to Lee Vining Canyon for towering aspen still carrying bright leaves, to the community of Crowley where people live among the aspen and cottonwood or to Tom’s Place to watch yellow leaves fluttering outside the window as you eat a slice of one of their famous pies.
A little peak to past peak color can also be found at Twin Lakes (see above), in places along the June Lake Loop, at the Convict Lake Campground (a good place to camp amidst the last fall color).
Most of all, enjoy the last weekend of peak fall color in Mono County as thereafter, YOU MISSED IT.
Mono County – Peak to Past Peak, GO NOW, YOU ALMOST MISSED IT.
St. Canice Catholic Church, Nevada City (10/21/19) Robert Kermen
St. Canice Catholic Church, Nevada City (10/21/19) Robert Kermen
On Saturday (Oct. 26), Nevada City will host its annual Victorian Fall Colors Tour. The tour includes stops at 15 locations where peak fall color promises to be seen.
Robert Kemen and Ravi Ranganathan visited Nevada City this past week and captured some of what’s in store.
http://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.png00John Poimiroohttp://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.pngJohn Poimiroo2019-10-24 00:42:542019-10-25 12:44:11Nevada City Peaks In Time For Victorian Fall Colors Tour
Klamath River, Siskiyou County (10/19/19) Mel Fechter
The Klamath River in UpState California is impressive.
It’s the state’s second-largest river, flowing 257 miles through Oregon and California. At peak flows, the river moves 557,000 cubic feet of water per second toward the Pacific Ocean.
National Geographic described it as the upside down river, because it begins in the high deserts of eastern Oregon and flows toward the mountains.
The Klamath was inhabited as early as 7,000 years ago, with good reason. Salmon, steelhead and rainbow trout had adapted to its unusually high water temperatures and flourish in its waters.
An interesting variety of deciduous trees grow near the Klamath River, including: Garry’s oak, black oak, Fremont and black cottonwood, numerous alder, ash and dogwood, bigleaf maple, even California walnuts and Klamath plums.
Because of its remoteness, we get few photographs of fall color along the Klamath. Though, when we do, they’re spectacular like Mel Fechter’s shot of the wild river with no sign of structures, roads or mankind … only orange and yellow oaks.
Black oak, Arlington Rd., Plumas County (10/19/19) Jeff Luke Titcomb
Color spotter Jeff Luke Titcomb looks back at his trip along the byways of northern Plumas County and sees nothing but peaking orange black oak.
He drove Arlington Road between Crescent Mills and Taylorsville, in the shadow of Arlington Heights and Mt. Hough, then explored Grizzly and Indian Creeks and finished his tour in the Genessee Valley where a string band was playing at the Genessee Store.
Black oak, Arlington Rd., Plumas County (10/19/19) Jeff Luke Titcomb
Arlington Rd, Plumas County (10/19/19) Jeff Luke Titcomb
Arlington Rd, Plumas County (10/19/19) Jeff Luke Titcomb
Taylorsville, Plumas County (10/19/19) Jeff Luke Titcomb
Taylorsville, Plumas County (10/19/19) Jeff Luke Titcomb
Taylorsville, Plumas County (10/19/19) Jeff Luke Titcomb
Genessee, Plumas County (10/19/19) Jeff Luke Titcomb
Genessee, Plumas County (10/19/19) Jeff Luke Titcomb
Genessee, Plumas County (10/19/19) Jeff Luke Titcomb
Genessee, Plumas County (10/19/19) Jeff Luke Titcomb
Genessee, Plumas County (10/19/19) Jeff Luke Titcomb
Full peak was happening this past weekend, though there is enough color in his photographs that, absent a big blow, enough color could hang in there through another weekend.
String band, Genessee Store (10/19/19) Jeff Luke Titcomb
Northern Plumas County (1,412′) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
Bigleaf maple, Bear River Falls, Sierra Discovery Trail, Tahoe Nat’l Forest (10/19/19) Ravi Ranganathan
A number of trails travel through fall color in the Tahoe National Forest, between Yuba Gap and Nevada City along CA-20.
One of the nicest is the Sierra Discovery Trail. It travels an easy .9-mile loop that is full of fall color. Also, an interesting trail is the Independence Trail, which winds along boardwalks through a forest of bigleaf maple and black oak.
Oyster mushroom, Sierra Discovery Trail, Tahoe Nat’l Forest (10/19/19) Ravi Ranganathan
Independence Trail, Tahoe Nat’l Forest (10/19/19) Ravi Ranganathan
Independence Trail, Tahoe Nat’l Forest (10/19/19) Ravi Ranganathan
Independence Trail, Tahoe Nat’l Forest (10/19/19) Ravi Ranganathan
Bigleaf maple, CA-20 (10/19/19) Ravi Ranganathan
Independence Trail, Tahoe Nat’l Forest (10/19/19) Ravi Ranganathan
Ravi Ranganathan hiked both trails this past weekend and recommends hiking the Sierra Discovery Trail clockwise, as you will pass Bear River Falls soon after crossing the Bear River Bridge.
Emigrant Gap, CA-20 (10/19/19) Ravi Ranganathan
Sierra Discovery Trail (5,190′) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
