Sabrina Approach, M Fork Bishop Creek (9/30/19) Kevin Lennox
Each day, fall color just keeps getting better up Bishop Creek Canyon in the Eastern Sierra.
First peak occurred this past weekend at Sabrina Lake and, as predicted by Jared Smith, the color is improving with each day.
Color spotter Kevin Lennox sent these images taken on Monday (Sept. 30). Many have asked whether Bishop Creek will remain at peak through the coming weekend. Yes, it will, and for much of the following week, as well.
Surveyor’s Meadow, S Fork Bishop Creek (9/30/19) Kevin Lennox
Table Mountain Camp, S Fork Bishop Creek (9/30/19) Kevin Lennox
North Lake Rd., N Fork Bishop Creek (9/30/19) Kevin Lennox
Sabrina Approach (9,100′) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
Table Mountain Camp (8,900′) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
Surveyor’s Meadow (8,975′) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
North Lake Rd. (9,000′) – Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW!
http://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.png00John Poimiroohttp://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.pngJohn Poimiroo2019-09-30 19:27:022019-09-30 19:28:58Bishop Creek Just Keeps Getting Better
Pacific Poison Oak, Palomar Mountain State Park (9/29/19) Dylan Ren
If ever there were a plant that fits the expression, “look don’t touch,” it is Pacific Poison Oak, Toxicodendron diversilobum, which grows throughout California.
In autumn, poison oak vines drape trees and shrubs with ornamental rosy, red leaves. Stories abound of unaware foragers collecting beautiful poison oak leaves for a fall bouquet or centerpiece. As, it’s tempting to touch the leaves, tho the red color warns, “stay away.” Instead, follow the old adage, “leaflets three, let them be.”
The result of such harvesting can be a painful, persistent rash that begs to be itched, but shouldn’t.
San Diego County color spotters Dylan Ren and Jean Pan found such enticing ornaments draped from trees and burned stumps as they explored Palomar Mountain State Park on Sunday.
Most of the trees are “still very green,” Jean wrote, though though we hope she and Dylan followed the adage and let the poison oak be that they saw growing near the state park pay station.
Palomar Mountain State Park (6,138′) – Just Starting (0-10%)
Pacific Poison Oak, Palomar Mountain State Park (9/29/19) Dylan Ren
Table Mountain, S Fork Bishop Creek (9/29/19) Jared Smith
GO NOW! Fall color has peaked suddenly after a week’s delay at the highest elevations of Bishop Creek.
Several prime locations up Bishop Creek Canyon are at Peak, including Lake Sabrina, the Groves above Cardinal Village, Table Mountain, Surveyor’s Meadow,
Bishop Canyon Color Spotter par excellence, Jared Smith reports “Things are really lighting up all over the canyon and the difference from just one week ago is remarkable.”
He continued, “We seem to have weathered the weekend storm quite well all things considered. The impact of the extremely high winds was pretty minimal in my opinion, and while the temps did drop into the low 20s up high in the canyon, I didn’t see much evidence of burnt leaves, at least not today.”
“Aspen don’t all pop at once so we have plenty of color left to go and I’m quite excited for the next couple weeks to see how things continue to develop and to see how long the existing color sticks around.”
Gauging color anywhere in California is a matter of subjectivity, even with so experienced a spotter as Jared, though he says, “I’ll do my best to give you my appraisal of how the color looks today. As always, there is no promise of how it will look tomorrow, next week or next month.”
Due to the late start of fall color in Bishop Creek Canyon, Parchers Resort has extended its season an additionalweekend to Oct. 19. The resort will have its cabins, RV sites and boat rentals available and invites all canyon visitors to its Fall Color Brunch on October 5 and 6. For details and reservations, call 760-873-4177.
Here’s Jared’s report:
Bishop Creek Canyon Summaries
Above 8,500′ – Peak (75%-100%) GO NOW! – Patchy color exploded into gorgeous fall color increasing in brilliance day by day, this past week. It was very difficult to summarize upper elevations of the canyon into one rating, but would consider them, especially anywhere over 9,000′, just barely at Peak. Considering that Peak starts at 75%, we’re at 76%, though it really could go either way. There is too much green in too many places to consider this the apex of the season; but too much color peaking in too many places not to consider it in the peak color zone.
Below 8,500′ – Patchy (10-50%) – Plenty of yellow is going off in patches all over the canyon, especially above 8,000′. None of the lower locations have been overtaken by yellow, but it’s showing among a sea of green. Having seen the rapid onset of color over the past week, I estimate Near Peak color in several locations by the end of the week. Some of these lower elevation locations can be spectacular, which bodes well for canyon visitors who can’t make it up until mid October or even later.
South Lake, S Fork Bishop Creek (9/29/19) Jared Smith
Table Mountain, S Fork Bishop Creek (9/29/19) Jared Smith
Mist Falls, S Fork Bishop Creek (9/29/19) Jared Smith
Surveyor’s Meadow, S Fork Bishop Creek (9/29/19) Jared Smith
South Fork Bishop Creek
Weir Pond (9,650′) – Near Peak (50% – 75%) GO NOW! – The scrub aspen above the Weir look to me to be the worst hit by the wind, although it’s difficult to tell what was blown off versus what hasn’t turned. There is certainly enough green to leave some promise for better views ahead, and there is enough yellow now to make it a great spot to visit.
Parchers Resort (9,260′) – Near Peak (50% – 75%) GO NOW! – I think the views from the resort grounds and views of the hillside above Parchers as seen from Willow Camp are about two-thirds of the way there. Looking up towards the Brown Lake basin there is a tremendous amount of color while looking down canyon leaves you with more green in view. Since this is literally my backyard, I really hope the temps don’t plummet too low over the next couple days so I’m greeted each morning with bright yellow and orange for the next few weeks.
Willow Campground (9,000′) – Patchy (10% – 50%) – There is some peak color within the campground itself, but along the road there is a mix of yellow among mostly green aspen. This area typically gets beaten up by the wind but it looked pretty good both this morning and this afternoon so there is hope that this area will get to its full fall color potential in the coming weeks.
Surveyors Meadow (8,975′) – Peak (75%-100%) GO NOW! – This area along South Lake Road shoots great all day as the color blankets the canyon walls all around you, especially to the west and south of the road. There is some orange, red and rose hues along the creek on the upper end of the meadow, and yellow splashing all over the place. There is plenty of green in the mix which bodes well for the next couple weeks barring inclement weather.
Table Mountain Camp (8,900′) – Peak (75%-100%) GO NOW! – This area still has some green, but the rosy hues and brilliant yellow definitely put it just barely in the peak zone. These groves really jump out at you as you wind your way up South Lake Road. They are easily photographed from the road, but please be super careful as there are blind corners here and very few turnouts. No fall color shot is worth dying, and an accident – pedestrian or automobile, no matter how minor – will ruin your trip.
Mist Falls and the groves above Bishop Creek Lodge (8,350′) – Patchy (10% – 50%) – Some gorgeous yellow has developed and it’s clear that the dark greens are giving way to lime greens, but we’re still a ways off here. There are some bright yellow patches up canyon from the waterfall near Mt. Glen campground, but these patches are still surrounded by green groves.
Four Jeffries (8,000′) – Just Starting – GO NOW! – More and more yellow aspens along South Lake road with a few orange branches here and there. Still mostly green though along the South Fork of Bishop Creek.
Lake Sabrina panorama, M Fork Bishop Creek (9/29/19) Jared Smith
Sabrina Camp, M Fork Bishop Creek (9/29/19) Jared Smith
Lake Sabrina, M Fork Bishop Creek (9/29/19) Jared Smith
Sabrina Approach, M Fork Bishop Creek (9/29/19) Jared Smith
Sabrina Camp Bridge, M Fork Bishop Creek (9/29/19) Jared Smith
Groves above Cardinal Village, M Fork Bishop Creek (9/29/19) Jared Smith
Middle Fork Bishop Creek
Lake Sabrina (9,150′) – Peak (75%-100%) GO NOW! – There is too much green for me to consider Sabrina peak in comparison with what I’ve seen in years past, but there is a a whole lot of color, especially on the east shore where red patches give the appearance that the lake is on fire in places. I think we’re just on the edge of the peak zone and I’m hoping/expecting it to get even more spectacular, weather permitting of course.
Sabrina Campground to Sabrina Dam (9,000′) – Peak (75%-100%) GO NOW! – This area was especially hard to grade since Peak color is stunning along Hwy 168 near the entrance to the campground, but green & light yellow dominates between the big bridge and the dam. Having said that, it’s just too gorgeous not to go now. Red, orange and gold are the primary hues on the aspen not only along the highway but also within the campground and along the stream. This area cannot be missed when driving up the middle fork of the Bishop Creek Canyon. This almost makes my peak rating due to the area by Sabrina campground being just off the charts awesome. Because of the variance between peak color areas and green areas, this may remain at a peak rating longer than anywhere in the canyon as the peak color works its way up from the campground to the lake.
Groves above Cardinal Village (8,550′) – Peak (75%-100%) GO NOW! – This view, at least to me, is stealing the show on the middle fork of Bishop Creek, right now. Lots of yellow and even a little bit of rose has consumed the shrubs from Cardinal Peak all the way down to the creekside groves adjacent to the old Cardinal Mine. With the Sierra crest as your backdrop, it’s hard to beat the view. There are some big turnouts here making for easy access for shutterbugs.
Aspendell (8,400′) – Patchy (10% – 50%) – Still a ways to go as far as color here. Much lighter than last week with patchy yellow making an appearance.
North Lake Rd. panorama, N. Fork Bishop Creek (9/29/19) Jared Smith
North Lake Rd., N. Fork Bishop Creek (9/29/19) Jared Smith
North Lake Rd., N. Fork Bishop Creek (9/29/19) Jared Smith
North Lake, N. Fork Bishop Creek (9/29/19) Jared Smith
North Fork Bishop Creek
North Lake (9,255′) – Near Peak (50% – 75%) GO NOW! – Lots of color has developed here over the past week. The approach to the lake is pretty much full peak with lots of yellow and orange with a touch of red here and there. Once you get to the lake however, it’s more of a mix of yellow and green. The groves that wind up the ravine on the west side of the lake has some orange and brilliant yellow rising like fire above the green shoreline of the lake. A nice patch of aspen near the main parking area is ahead of the game with red & orange. The road along and around the lake is still mostly green with some yellow showing. I’m expecting some spectacular views over the course of the next few weeks provided the weather plays ball.
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Antelope Creek Drainage, Pioneer (9/29/19) Lyle Gordon
Color spotter Lyle Gordon scores a First Report for Pioneer, which until now had been bypassed.
Lyle found bigleaf maples just starting along Antelope Creek at 3,700′.
Pioneer is one of those places that has generated its own pseudo history. Pioneer Station, a rest stop along CA-88, is often thought to have been a Pony Express station, but it never was.
The Pony Express route traveled through El Dorado County, to Amador’s north. Instead, the rest stop was established in 1925, long after the Pony Express ceased to exist.
Still, it is a favorite place to eat for travelers driving CA-88. And now, Pioneer gains true history as the first sighting of fall color this year in Amador County.
Antelope Creek Drainage, Pioneer (3,700′) – Just Starting (0-10%)
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Snow lightly dusted Lundy Canyon in the Eastern Sierra (Mono County) on Sunday morning, encouraging color spotters Jade Benjamin-Chung and Devin Corrigan to exude that they were “caught a glorious transitional moment between seasons in Lundy Canyon, with the grandeur of frosted peaks juxtaposed with broad swaths of warm yellows spreading below.”
They described Lundy as not as fiery as Sagehen Summit right now, but then two areas are completely different, satisfying experiences.
Lundy Canyon ((7,858′) – Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW!
Historic Schoolhouse, Bucks Lake Rd., Meadow Valley (9/29/19) Michael Beatley
Michael Beatley went mining for gold, Sunday morning.
The gold he was searching for was in Meadow Valley, six miles west of Quincy.
Meadow Valley has long been a place people have searched for gold. In fact, the valley still has several active mining claims … for the valued metal.
Though, Beatley searches for a different type of gold, that found on branches, forest floors and besides creeks, not in them.
He headed to Big Creek where 21st century argonauts still hold claims, though it is accessible by hiking or climbing down the hillside to the creek.
There, bigleaf maple, mountain maple, Indian Rhubarb, creek dogwood and alder are the treasures he sought, and found them noting to return in a week or two when the gold will be more easily found.
Big Creek, Meadow Valley (9/29/19) Michael Beatley
Big Creek, Meadow Valley (9/29/19) Michael Beatley
Indian Rhubarb, Big Creek, Meadow Valley (9/29/19) Michael Beatley
Creek dogwood, Big Creek, Meadow Valley (9/29/19) Michael Beatley
Big Creek, Meadow Valley (3,600′) – Patchy (10-50%) – Directions: drive six miles west of Quincy, past Spanish Peak to Big Creek Rd (the lower road to Bucks Lake) turn left and continue 1/4-mile past the OHV staging area parking lot. Big Creek is a small mountain creek running below the road.
Bracken fern, Big Bear Lake (9/25/19) Mark Hanning-Lee
On the advice of an innkeeper, color spotter Mark Hanning-Lee drove from Big Bear (San Bernardino Mountains), up Aspen Glen Rd. and continued on Mill Creek Rd. for another two miles to find the forest floor carpeted with golden bracken fern and a lone willow that was positively irridescent.
Red maple, Pine Knot Rd, Big Bear Lake (9/25/19) Mark Hanning-Lee
Willow, Big Bear Lake (9/25/19) Mark Hanning-Lee
Big Bear is still in the early stages of showing Fall Color, though this photographs show that even the red maples along Pine Knot Rd in the village near Starbuck’s have decided to dress for autumn.
Hmmm, I wonder if Mark sipped a Maple-Pecan Latte while enjoying the color?
Red Lake Creek Cabin, Hope Valley (9/27/19) Philip Reedy
It was inevitable. The successive shortening of daylight was sure to eventually cause leaves to change color and that’s now happening in the Hope Valley (CA-88, Carson Pass).
Color spotter Philip Reedy made his weekly trip across Carson Pass yesterday and reports, “While there are still many more green trees than yellow, there are plenty of colorful spots to make a trip up to the area worthwhile. I would say that we are still in the early stages, perhaps 10% change, but at this rate by next weekend and the following week, around October 4th to the 13th, should be excellent.”
Our assessment of Reedy’s photos qualify the Hope Valley to be at the low end of Patchy. By the time you read this and get there, the valley will solidly be Patchy (10-50%).
Red Lake Creek Cabin, Hope Valley (9/27/19) Philip Reedy
He recommends stopping at the “iconic Red Lake Creek cabin on the north side of Highway 88,” as trees surrounding it are coloring up while across the highway, the aspen are mostly green. Ground plants are providing color, particularly near creek drainages.
Carson Pass Visitor Center, CA-88 (9/27/19) Philip Reedy
Fly Fishing, Red Lake Creek, Hope Valley (9/27/19) Philip Reedy
Hope Valley (9/27/19) Philip Reedy
Hope Valley (9/27/19) Philip Reedy
Hope Valley (9/27/19) Philip Reedy
Hope Valley (9/27/19) Philip Reedy
Red Lake Creek, Hope Valley (9/27/19) Philip Reedy
Just past Blue Lakes Rd., further east, a large grove to the north “is showing some nice color in some areas and should be really good in a week or so.”
Continuing past a bridge that crosses the West Carson River, “most of the trees on the mountainsides to the north and west are still green. Finally, down by Sorenson’s Resort there are some groves showing bright yellow, many others still green, and even a few bare trees.”
Last week, we reported aspen blight surrounding Sorensen’s, but nearby groves to the west and many in Woodford’s Canyon are fine.
Reedy is predicting Near Peak to Peak color next weekend and for the following week.
Because of the late start and the lush, mostly healthy foliage, the Hope Valley should be good into mid October.
Thompson Lake, Plumas County (9/26/19) Michael Beatley
Thompson Lake, Plumas County (9/26/19) Michael Beatley
Thursday morning, Michael Beatley visited Thompson Lake.
He’d traveled 17 miles west from Quincy on the Bucks/Oroville Rd. to Bucks Lake in Plumas National Forest.
Beatley writes, “Just above Bucks Lake is Thompson Lake with nice reflections. Though, for whatever reason, the USFS has removed many of the Quaking Aspens on the far side of the lake that made it a singularly beautiful spot for photography. It still is a beautiful location, but not as awesome as it once was.”
On Big Creek Rd, Mountain Maples, Mountain Ash and Aspens. Starting to show much more color, with snow expected Sunday and Monday.
Typically, California storms pass over the state quickly, followed by clear dry conditions. So, severe weather (rain, wind, snow) does not damage fall color, as long as it is not sustained over an extended period. The snow mentioned in this report and predicted to arrive this week should not damage foliage, unless it lingers for days. Also, green leaves that have not yet begun turning color are less affected than those that have begun to change.
Plumas County has begun showing off early as one of the state’s top fall color locations.
Toyon (California Holly), Bucks Lake Rd, Plumas County (9/26/19) Michael Beatley
Bucks Lake Rd Lake, Plumas County (9/26/19) Michael Beatley
Aspen, Bucks Lake Rd Lake, Plumas County (9/26/19) Michael Beatley
http://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.png00John Poimiroohttp://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.pngJohn Poimiroo2019-09-28 07:31:332019-09-28 08:47:20Reflecting on Thompson Lake
Sabrina Campground, Bishop Creek Canyon (9/26/19) Craig Bender
Areas above 9,000′ in Bishop Creek Canyon (US 395, Bishop, Inyo County) are now Near Peak.
We’d not gotten confirmation of the change, though had anticipated it, until color spotter Craig Bender sent this image of Sabrina Camp with Near Peak Color, taken on Thursday.
That’s confirmation to GO NOW!
Sabrina Campground (9,000′) – Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW!
