Autumn Sunset, San Bernardino Mountains (10/19/14) Nick Barnhart
The Los Angeles Times, took our advice and recommended trips this past weekend to the San Bernardino Mountains. Turns out, it was good advice, as evidenced by the spectacular shot of Rim of the World (between Lake Gregory and Lake Arrowhead) that Nick Barnhart captured on Sunday.
Here’s another lovely sunset of the San Bernardino Mountains taken by Nick Barnhart last evening. I have to ask after seeing Nick’s great photographs (and I’ve photographed sunsets in So. Calif.), “Why go to the beach?”
San Bernardino Mountains (Peak 75 – 100%) – Lake Gregory, Grass Valley Lake, Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear – key fall color destinations in the San Bernardino Mountains – were peaking this weekend, as these photographs taken by Nick Barnhart illustrate. Great fall color isn’t just found in the Sierra Nevada. The San Bernardinos are simply glorious, as well. GO NOW!
Lake Arrowhead (10/12/14) Nick Barnhart
Lake Arrowhead (10/12/14) Nick Barnhart
Lake Arrowhead Country Club (10/12/14) Nick Barnhart
Exotic Silver Maple, Big Bear Lake (10/5/14) Nick Barnhart
Fremont Cottonwood (10/5/14) Nick Barnhart
Maple, Green Valley Lake (10/5/14) Nick Barnhart
Color spotter Nick Barnhart traveled up to the San Bernardino Mountains this past weekend and got these colorful shots of fall color at Lake Gregory, Green Valley Lake and Big Bear Lake.
San Bernardino Mountains (10/5/14) Nick Barnhart
Rabbitbrush and cottonwoods (10/5/14) Nick Barnhart
GO NOW! Near Peak (50 – 75%) – San Bernardino National Forest – A mix of black oak, mountain maple, rabbitbrush and aspen are delicately coloring Southern California’s San Bernardino Mountains.
Silver Maple, Green Valley Lake (10/5/14) Nick Barnhart
GO NOW! Peak (75 – 100%) – Big Bear Lake – Christine, a color spotter visited the famous aspen grove near Big Bear and repots it is peaking. This is probably the last weekend to see it in its glory.
Lake Gregory (10/5/14) Nick Barnhart
Patchy (10 – 50%) – Lake Gregory and Lake Arrowhead – Only about 25% of the trees are showing color.
Color spotter Jim Beau was in Idyllwild on Friday and reported, “It looks like this might be the last weekend of fall color in Southern California’s mountains (above a mile high). Driving southbound from I-10 on Hwy 243, the oaks were pretty much done for the year.
“On Thanksgiving weekend last year, we hit Idyllwild at peak fall color. In comparison, this year was a bit of a disappointment. Since a weak winter storm has moved into the area this weekend, it was pretty dreary up there, yesterday. And, I don’t expect what little is left to last into next weekend. So, it looks like it’s time to head to the lower elevations for fall color in Southern California.”
Past Peak – Idyllwild – Black oaks are now cloaked only in rusty brown leaves.
GO NOW! – 75 – 100% – Mountain Center/Lake Hemet (4,500′) – Heading west on Hwy 74 near Mountain Center, there is a nice, mile-long section of oaks and a few cottonwoods at peak.
GO NOW! – 50 – 75% – Hwy 74 (below 4,000′) – Heading west toward Hemet, the cottonwoods and sycamores were just starting to turn yellow and chartreuse.
http://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.png00John Poimiroohttp://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.pngJohn Poimiroo2013-11-17 08:16:232013-11-17 08:23:49Color Drops Below a Mile in the San Jacintos
Pomegranate Bush and Japanese Maple (11/14/13) Frank McDonough
Color spotter Frank McDonough of the LA County Arboretum and Botanic Gardens attributes a warm, dry year to “erratic” fall color. That certainly could be the case, though the spots of color provided to us by Frank show bright and intense color at the Arboretum, so far. Also, this week we received shots from Mt. Palomar that showed long-lasting color among the oaks. We’re betting that LA County will continue to develop into December.
Eastern Red Oak, LA County Arboretum (11/14/13) Frank McDonough
GO NOW! 50 – 75% – LA County Arboretum – Warm, dry weather has tricked the trees, causing them to show sporadically and late in Southern California.
Tulip tree, LA County Arboretum (11/14/13) Frank McDonough
(l to r) Flame leafed sumac and Nandina domestica (11/14/13) Frank McDonough
http://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.png00John Poimiroohttp://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.pngJohn Poimiroo2013-11-14 16:28:402013-11-17 08:26:11Warm, Dry Year Slows Southland Show
Black oak, Palomar Mountain State Park (11/9/13) Jim Beau
Pacific dogwood, Palomar Mountain State Park (11/9/13) Jim Beau
GO NOW! – 75 – 100% – Palomar Mountain State Park – Color spotter Jimbo reports from Southern California that black oaks are peaking at Palomar Mountain State Park, adding that a few dogwoods have also changed. “Unless there’s a windstorm, they should last at least thru next weekend. Heck, I’ve seen a few of them with yellow leaves after the first snow in December.”
That’s the spirit, Jimbo. So. Cal. holds our record for the best late fall color in California. Because of California’s varied elevations and foliage, there isn’t another place in the good ole U.S. of A. that has a longer lasting or a more varied fall color season. Considering the stunning photos color spotters have shared this autumn, we challenge any state in the Union to show more variety or beauty.
http://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.png00John Poimiroohttp://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.pngJohn Poimiroo2013-11-12 12:43:022013-11-17 08:27:41Hope Springs Eternal in So Cal
Crepe myrtles, Bauer Lawn, LA County Arboretum (11/4/13) Frank McDonough
California Fall Color has observed over the years that species change color according to their own internal clock. That’s certainly occurring at the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Gardens in Arcadia, where Frank McDonough reports the color change there “has been sporadic and uneven.”
Crepe myrtle, lagerstroemia indica (11/4/13) Frank McDonough
The most reliable species, Ginkgo biloba and Liquidambar, “have yet to reach full color.”
Color spotter Son H. Nguyen posted the following montage on Facebook and commented, “Liquidambar is amazing in Orange County right now. I’ve never seen them this beautiful before. I’ve only seen them mostly turn yellow. But this year, there are many different hue from orange, yellow, red, deep red and even pink.”
Liquidambar (11/4/13) Son H Nguyen
Though, McDonough cautions that Liquidambars “have been under attack” from a combination of a new pest, the Polyphagous shot hole borer, and a new disease to Southern California, Bacterial Leaf Scorch, “that may eliminate them from the Southern California landscape.”
Tulip tree, liriodendron tulipifera (11/4/13) Frank McDonough
Liquidambar have one of the more dramatic displays of flame orange, yellow and red and are a favorite of landscapers. Sadly, due to pests and diseases, Frank opins that “this may be one of the last years to see them turn color, here.” Until that happens, head to Southern California’s arboretums for the best in So. Cal.
Japanese birch, betula maximowicziana and Japanese fountain grass (11/4/13) Frank McDonough
California wild grape (11/4/13 Frank McDonough
Honey locust, Gleditsia triacanthos (11/7/13) Frank McDonough
Japanese birch, betula maximowicziana and crepe myrtle (11/7/13) Frank McDonough
Honey locust, LA County Arboretum (11/7/13) Frank McDonough
GO NOW! – 50 – 75% – LA County Arboretum and Botanic Gardens – Crepe myrtle are at peak; tulip tree are 30 – 50% of peak near the tram stop; Japanese birch are magnificent near the turtle pond; California wild grape near the tule pond are now yellow and will soon be brilliant red.
GO NOW! – 75 – 100% – Los Angeles County – Exotic Sweet Gum (liquidambar) are at peak in gardens and along streets throughout Los Angeles County. Pests and disease are afflicting the trees, however, which may not survive another year. So, go now to enjoy their display of varied color.
http://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.png00John Poimiroohttp://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.pngJohn Poimiroo2013-11-06 11:14:412013-11-17 08:30:37Exotic Species Color Up in LA & Orange Counties
Color spotter Brian Reilly took these beautiful images at Thornton Winery on the Rancho California Road in Temecula. This Southern California wine growing region is showing about 50% color.
Old vines make great wine, Temecula (10/27/13) Brian Reilly
Desicated grapes, beyond late harvest; Temecula (10/27/13) Brian Reilly
30 – 50% – Temecula Wine Country – The vineyards are getting close to peaking and considering the color now visible, we’d have no problem suggesting you GO NOW!, though we expect the color to continue to develop for the next couple of weeks.
San Diego County
So. Calif. color spotter Son H Nguyen reports, “There is not much in Julian, right now,” aside from exotic “Chinese pistache starting to turn in town. There is not much on Pine Hill and it”s around 30-50%. However, Mt. Laguna is blazing, right now. So many black oak trees, the whole area is near peak.”
30 – 50% – Julian – Best at Pine Hill.
Black oaks, Mt Laguna (10/27/13) Son H Nguyen
Black oaks, Mt Laguna (10/27/13) Son H Nguyen
Black oak, Mt Laguna (10/27/13) Son H Nguyen
GO NOW! 75 – 100% – Mt. Laguna – Full peak at oak woodlands on Mt. Laguna in eastern San Diego County.
GO NOW! 50 – 75% – San Jacinto Mountains – Color spotter Anissa Granados from Lake Hemet Campgrounds sends this photo of cottonwood approaching peak at Lake Hemet. Anissa says the trees ringing the lake and campgrounds provide a lovely setting to be surrounded by fall color.
Eastern Redbud, LA County Arboretum and Botanic Gardens (10/22/13) Frank MdDonough
We were comparing notes with Frank McDonough of the LA County Arboretum and Botanical Garden this past week who suggests that a cooler than usual summer may be contributing to a late start for fall color in LA County’s urban forests, as plants were confused by cooling, then warming weather. Frank says science is still imprecise as to the triggering mechanisms for fall color, with light, temperature and water influencing change. He opined that the same environmental conditions that contributed to a late show at the arboretum’s elevation, may have also contributed to an earlier one in the High Sierra’s climate zone. For us color watchers, however, it adds variety and interest.
Grape vine and Freeman’s maples, LA County Arboretum (10/22/13) Frank McDonough
Eastern redbud, LA County Arboretum (10/22/13) Frank McDonough
Shagbark hickory, LA County Arboretum (10/22/13) Frank McDonough
30 – 50% – LA County Arboretum and Garden – Expect spots of brilliant color to continue to show through November and into early December. Seen in these photos, the LA County Arboretum is exhibiting color change among varied exotic species, such as: Shagbark Hickory (carya ovata) putting on a rosey show, Eastern Redbud (cercis canadensis) full or orange in the arboretum’s Kallam Garden and Grape Vine and Freeman’s maples showing hot red near the Herb Garden.
http://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.png00John Poimiroohttp://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.pngJohn Poimiroo2013-10-24 22:35:382013-11-17 08:40:44A Late Yet Great Start in LA County
Freeman’s maple, LA County Arboretum (10/17/13) Frank McDonough
Chinese pistache, LA County Arboretum (10/17/13) Frank McDonough
Color spotter Frank McDonough always sends great shots of what’s turning at the Los Angeles County Arboretum. While it appears the San Bernardino Mountains are at peak or a little bit past peak (We welcome reports from So. Cal.), the LA County Arboretum is warming up. These shots tell it all:
15 – 30% – LA County Arboretum – Always a sure bet for long-lasting fall color, the LA County Arboretum in Arcadia has begun to warm up. Trees that show early, such as exotic Chinese pistache are now turning. A tupelo tree provides a botanical frame to a bench in the arboretum and a Freeman’s apple is on fire at its crest.
Tupelo tree, LA County Arboretum (10/17/13) Frank McDonough
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