El Capitan, Yosemite National Park (10/18/19) Mark Harding
Mark Harding follows up Gene Miller’s report on the Yosemite pioneer sugar maple with these images of peak native color in Yosemite Valley. More reasons to head to the mountains this weekend.
Merced River, Yosemite National Park (10/18/19) Mark Harding
South Side Drive, Yosemite National Park (10/18/19) Mark Harding
Black Oak, Yosemite National Park (10/18/19) Mark Harding
Bigleaf maple, Yosemite National Park (10/18/19) Mark Harding
Pacific dogwood, Yosemite National Park (10/18/19) Mark Harding
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park (10/18/19) Mark Harding
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park (4,000′) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
It’s a good time, you might say the right time to head to Wrightwood.
First developed as a cattle ranching area, Wrightwood became a San Gabriel Mountain winter destination in the late ’40s when a ski area was opened there within an easy drive of Los Angeles. It’s called Mountain High, today.
That seems appropriate, as you get a mountain high from the beauty of autumn in Wrightwood.
Rabbitbrush, black and Fremont oak, bigleaf maple, white alder, creek dogwood, bitter cherry, blue and black elderberry, velvet ash and choke cherry provide a beautiful mix of deciduous color and berries.
Lance Pifer visited and sent back just the right mix for Wrightwood.
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Greenhorn Creek, American Valley, Plumas County (10/17/19) Michael Beatley
I doubt too many Californians know much about the American Valley. It isn’t even listed in Wikipedia.
American Valley, Plumas County (10/17/19) Michael Beatley
American Valley, Plumas County (10/17/19) Michael Beatley
American Valley, Plumas County (10/17/19) Michael Beatley
American Valley, Plumas County (10/17/19) Michael Beatley
American Valley, Plumas County (10/17/19) Michael Beatley
American Valley, Plumas County (10/17/19) Michael Beatley
American Valley, Plumas County (10/17/19) Michael Beatley
It’s a grassy valley full of cattle and horse ranches in Plumas County. Nestled along its southern hills is Quincy, the county seat. Placed throughout the valley are county buildings and an airport. Enveloping it all is Plumas National Forest, but not much else … other than beauty.
Michael Beatley lives in neighboring Meadow Valley to the west, though got up early yesterday to photograph American Valley after a rain cleared the air and clouds drifted slowly across a blue sky.
Black oak have begun to brighten, their yellow and orange crests speckling surrounding hills of dark green fir and pine.
This is gold rush territory with names that reflect the 1850s when Quincy was founded by gold seekers. The Valley is intersected by Greenhorn Creek which joins Spanish Creek to the northwest.
Those streams teem with rainbow and brook trout, some weighing more than five pounds, though it’s hard to fish these waters now for all the fall color that is so distracting.
Sugar maple, Meadow Valley (10/17/19) Michael Beatley
Perhaps it’s better that Wikipedia doesn’t include a writeup on the American Valley. We should keep this secret to ourselves.
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Newbury Park Section, Santa Monica NRA (10/17/19) Kathy Jonokuchi
On Oct. 7, fire spread across the Newbury Park section of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area in Southern California.
Fortunately, the Wendy Fire was limited to 91 acres with no structures lost or human injuries. Its quick containment is credited to the National Park Service which, anticipating Santa Ana Winds, had pre-staged fire crews and equipment from Sequoia and Yosemite National Parks to help the Santa Monica Mountains team.
Previously, the Newbury Park section of the Santa Monica Mountains NRA been singed by the 2013 Springs Fire and the 1993 Green Meadow Fire. Then, in November last year, the Woolsey Fire devastated 89% of the Santa Monica Mountains NRA, including areas that containing Western sycamore like these:
California sycamore, Mulholland Highway, Santa Monica Mountains (10/6/18) Peter Asco
California sycamore, Mulholland Highway, Santa Monica Mountains (10/6/18) Peter Asco
At the time, we expressed concern over the future of the sycamore which are native to the Santa Monica mountains.
Large-flowered Phacelia, Santa Monica Mountains NRA (5/13/19) Kathy Jonokuchi
Humboldt Lily, Santa Monica Mountains NRA (5/24/19) Kathy Jonokuchi
Fortunately, fire is a natural thing and nature recovers. SoCal color spotter and birder Kathy Jonokuchi reported that wildflowers were spectacular and lasted well into August with Large-flowered Phacelia covering the canyon and Humboldt lilies showing beautifully.
Rose hips, Santa Monica NRA (10/17/19) Kathy Jonokuchi
Santa Monica NRA (10/17/19) Kathy Jonokuchi
Western sycamore, Santa Monica NRA (10/17/19) Kathy Jonokuchi
Then today, she sent these images from the recent Wendy Fire, showing Western sycamore pushing out fall color and wild rose that are abundantly covered with bright rosehips.
Western Meadowlark can sing about it now, though the Wendy Fire did not leave behind much meadow to land in. What is there remains blackened. So, they spent their time in the trees.
Western meadowlark, Santa Monica NRA (10/17/19) Kathy Jonokuchi
Happier days are ahead and we will keep watch over this great urban national park, as it continues its recovery.
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (3,110′) – Just Starting (0-10%)
Clayton Peoples sees a last ray of hope for the Hope Valley, describing it as “still holding on.”
Hope Valley (10/15/19) Clayton Peoples
Hope Valley (10/15/19) Clayton Peoples
He was there on Tuesday that most of the groves were still colorful and full of leaves, though like the rest of us is unsure how much longer it will last.
Red Lake Creek Cabin, Hope Valley (10/15/19) Clayton Peoples
Hope Valley (10/15/19) Clayton Peoples
Hope Valley (10/15/19) Clayton Peoples
Hope Valley (10/15/19) Clayton Peoples
Hope Valley (10/15/19) Clayton Peoples
Hope Valley (10/15/19) Clayton Peoples
Here’s his take:
Hope Valley (7,300′) – Peak (75-100%) Go Now! – Although a few trees have lost their leaves, the majority of aspen groves are still holding on, with a blend of yellow and orange. Color can be found both near the road (e.g. near the famous cabin) and on the hillsides. Thankfully, smoke and haze from the Caples Fire cleared out overnight, allowing for relatively unobstructed views of the leaves and nearby mountains. This is a definite GO NOW!, before weather strips the trees.
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Pioneer sugar maple, Yosemite Valley (10/15/19) Gene Miller
Color spotter Gene Miller was in Yosemite Valley on Tuesday, reporting that the fall color was “absolutely beautiful.”
He sends an image of a sugar maple that 19th-century settlers planted near the Yosemite Chapel. Of course, an exotic tree could not be planted in a national park today, but there were no such rules nor the same definition of what a national park represents, in the late 1800s.
Today, efforts are made to remove invasive plants (all exotic imports), though, fortunately, the sugar maple is protected because of its connection to the cultural history of the national park.
It peaks for a very short time, so getting there NOW is essential.
Other foliage that changes color in the national park include: Pacific dogwood, bigleaf maple, willows and black oak. The dogwood, maple and willows are turning now.
Favorite photo locations include seeing : brightly yellow fallen bigleaf maple leaves at Fern Spring at the entrance to the Valley (CA-140); vibrant orange black oak below Yosemite Falls and beside Yosemite’s meadows; and pink Pacific dogwood along the Merced River.
Yosemite’s black oak are the finest fall display of the specie in California. Black oak will be at their best in late October to mid November.
Pioneer sugar maple, Yosemite Valley (4,000′) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
Indian rhubarb (darmera), Spanish Creek (10/16/19) Michael Beatley
If you have never seen Indian Rhubarb at peak, now is the time to do so.
Plumas County color spotter Michael Beatley hiked and photographed Spanish creek and the Cascade Trail, from Keddie, just west of Quincy, upstream.
He described it as “One of the best years I have seen during the past 36 years I have lived here.”
Indian rhubarb (darmera), Spanish Creek (10/16/19) Michael Beatley
Bigleaf maple (Acer macrophyllum), Spanish Creek (10/16/19) Michael Beatley
Indian rhubarb (darmera), Spanish Creek (10/16/19) Michael Beatley
Indian rhubarb (darmera), Spanish Creek (10/16/19) Michael Beatley
Indian rhubarb (darmera), Spanish Creek (10/16/19) Michael Beatley
Indian rhubarb (darmera), Spanish Creek (10/16/19) Michael Beatley
Indian rhubarb (darmera), Spanish Creek (10/16/19) Michael Beatley
Spanish Creek (10/16/19) Michael Beatley
Indian rhubarb (darmera), Spanish Creek (10/16/19) Michael Beatley
Spanish Creek (10/16/19) Michael Beatley
Spanish Creek (10/16/19) Michael Beatley
Spanish Creek (10/16/19) Michael Beatley
Indian rhubarb (darmera), Spanish Creek (10/16/19) Michael Beatley
Indian rhubarb (darmera), Spanish Creek (10/16/19) Michael Beatley
The Cascade Trail, in its own right, has a fascinating history. It was used by local Maidu people for thousands of years. Remains of a Maidu dwelling can still be seen near the Cascade Trailhead.
Chinese workers constructed the Maxwell Ditch beside the trail in 1872, and Spanish Creek was an active placer (gold) mining area in the 19th and 20th centuries. At several locations along the trail, evidence of mining can still be seen.
The trail was developed to help supply railway construction camps with food and merchandise for construction of the Western Pacific Railroad. Nearby, the Keddie Wye is one of the west’s famous railroad attractions. Train spotters often stop to see long trains of cars passing over it.
Though, at this time of year, a different type of spotter has the best show. They are fall color spotters, enjoying the artistic brilliance of orange-red Indian Rhubarb (darmera) and yellow bigleaf maple (Acer macrophyllum) reflected in the dark waters of Spanish Creek.
Spanish Creek (3,264′) – Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW!
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Anglers at Gull Lake, June Lake Loop (10/8/19) Jeff Simpson
Peak fall color has dropped to 7,000′ in Mono County (Eastern Sierra).
This is the last weekend to see lush color along the June Lake Loop. There, CA-268 passes through boulevards of aspen, though the trees have thinned and most groves lack luster.
I winced at reading one color spotter’s description of what happened as “one of the most underwhelming displays in recent memory. Locals with decades experience were saying it was the unseasonably hard freeze and then strong winds that severely damaged this year’s fall color.”
McGee Creek Canyon (10/12/19) Pete Axcell
McGee Creek Canyon (10/12/19) Pete Axcell
McGee Creek Canyon (10/12/19) Pete Axcell
McGee Creek Canyon (10/12/19) Pete Axcell
Some of the leaves around Twin Lakes near Bridgeport were reported as appearing as if they were “freeze dried.” At McGee Canyon, a reliable spotter reported the wonderful groves of cottonwood as “decimated” with virtually all the color on the cottonwoods affected.
Of course, it truly is anyone’s guess as to why this happened.
Too many spotters have submitted dismal reports and lackluster photos to believe otherwise. Having said that, beautiful photographs are still being taken as evidenced by Kent Gordon’s, Jeff Simpson’s, Pete Axcell’s, Greg Berndt‘s and Leor Pantilat’s photos, posted here.
Silver Lake, June Lake Loop (10/15/19) Jeff Simpson
One of the contributors to this situation was aspen blight. Silver Lake, which is a favorite place to photograph fall color, lost leaves on many of its groves that ring the lake, due to the fungus.
When it comes to fall color, Mono County sets a high bar for itself. In the past decade, we’ve seen year after year of dazzling displays. So, one disappointing year is to be expected. This is that year.
Lundy Lake (10/13/19) Greg Berndt
Lundy Canyon (10/12/19) Leor Pantilat
Lundy Canyon (10/12/19) Leor Pantilat
Lundy Canyon (10/12/19) Leor Pantilat
Lundy Canyon (10/12/19) Leor Pantilat
Lundy Canyon (10/12/19) Leor Pantilat
If you’re heading up in the coming week, don’t be disheartened or change plans. For the best color, head to Mill Canyon near Walker and Lundy Lake. And, for the best time, head to June Lake which will host its annual fall festival this weekend.
Thereafter, peaking will be black cottonwood at Crowley Lake and in the Antelope Valley. Presently, they are Patchy (lime green and yellow).
Mill Canyon, Walker (10/16/19) Jeff Simpson
Mill Canyon, Walker (10/16/19) Jeff Simpson
Mill Canyon, Walker (10/16/19) Jeff Simpson
Mill Canyon, Walker (10/16/19) Jeff Simpson
June Lake Loop (10/15/19) Jeff Simpson
McGee Canyon (10/15/19) Jeff Simpson
June Lake Loop (10/15/19) Jeff Simpson
Conway Summit (10/15/19) Jeff Simpson
June Lake Loop (10/15/19) Jeff Simpson
Conway Summit (10/15/19) Jeff Simpson
Conway Summit (10/15/19) Jeff Simpson
Monitor Pass (10/14/19) Jeff Simpson
Monitor Pass (10/14/19) Jeff Simpson
Little Walker Rd. (10/13/19) Jeff Simpson
June Lake Loop (10/9/19) Jeff Simpson
Little Walker River Rd. (10/13/19) Jeff Simpson
June Lake Loop (10/15/19) Jeff Simpson
Here’s what Mono County Tourism is reporting:
Rock Creek Lake (9,600’) – Past Peak, YOU MISSED IT!
Lower Rock Creek Rd. (7,087′) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! – Bursting with color along the lower sections of the road.
Crowley Community (6,781’) – Patchy (10-50%) – Color up the hill behind the community, but mixed in town. Hilton Creek is gorgeous.
McGee Creek Canyon (8,600’) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! – Still beautiful.
Convict Lake (7850′) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! – A wonderful hike is the Convict Lake Trail which is level and rounds the lake. You pass through aspen groves in many parts of the trail. Some sections are past peak, but you’ll also pass through Peaking and Patchy groves, all with wonderful views.
Mammoth Lakes (7,881′) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
June Lake Loop/Hwy 158 (7,654′) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! – The June Lake Loop has struggled this year, due to aspen blight which affected a large number of stands. However, this is the weekend to visit the Loop. There is a lovely mix of thinned and lush groves, many laden with golden-orange leaves. Parker bench, Gull Lake and areas just south of Grant Lake are amazing, and Leaves In The Loop is happening this weekend.
Tioga Pass (9,943′) – Past Peak, YOU MISSED IT!
Lee Vining Canyon (6,781′) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! – Peak aspen are throughout the canyon and in the campground.
Lundy Lake & Canyon (7,858′) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! – Photographs submitted of Lundy Canyon this past week have been stunning. The colors are now moving down the canyon, though they should be perfect around the lake and in the campground.
Conway Summit (8,143’) Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! – Conway Summit took its time to peak this year, but it’s now at peak with a mix of lush gold, buff, orange and a few lime trees, with some thinning.
Twin Lakes (7,000’) –Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW! – Nice bright orange colors in sections while others will still take another week.
Upper Summers Meadow (10,300’) – Past Peak, YOU MISSED IT!
Lower Summers Meadow (6,834′) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
Lobdell Lake Road (8,600′) – Past Peak, YOU MISSED IT!
Sonora Pass (9,623′) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! – Great color near the Leavitt Pack Station and at the top of the pass.
Walker Canyon, Walker, Coleville and Topaz (5,200′) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! – The West Walker River is at full peak, while Antelope Valley cottonwoods are Just Starting. Brilliant yellow color is seen up Mill Canyon Road, near Walker.
Molybdenite Creek Trail (7,865’)– Past Peak, YOU MISSED IT!
Sweetwater Mountains (5,000 to 11,654’) – Past Peak, YOU MISSED IT!
Monitor Pass (8,314′) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! – Monitor Pass’ Peak is getting aged. There were lots of trees carrying orange and yellow leaves as of this report, but any wind up there will strip them.
Big Bear has headed to its den for the winter. Peak fall color can still be seen, but more and more leaves are dropping, Alena Nicholas reports from the San Bernardino Mountains.
While Big Bear has begun to hibernate, peak color is appearing elsewhere in the mountains as Indian Summer arrives.
Lake Gregory, Lake Arrowhead and Grass Valley are all dressed in beautiful color.
Lower down, Oak Glen, is Patchy with cottonwood, black oak, aspen, bigleaf maple and apple trees primed for its annual harvest show. Time to order an apple pie!
Grass Valley Lake (10/15/19) Alena Nicholas
Green Valley Lake (7,200′) – Past Peak, YOU MISSED IT!
Aspen Grove Trail (7,370′) – Past Peak, YOU MISSED IT!
Rim of the World (7,000′) – Past Peak, YOU MISSED IT!
Big Bear Lake (6,752′) – Peak to Past Peak, GO NOW, YOU ALMOST MISSED IT!
Running Springs (6,190′) – Peak to Past Peak, GO NOW, YOU ALMOST MISSED IT!
Lake Arrowhead (5,174′) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
Lake Gregory (4,554′) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
Grass Valley Lake (5,058′) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
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