For a guy who’s traveled every byway in California and lived within the sound of Yosemite Falls, I’m constantly amazed to see a waterfall I didn’t know existed or get a report from a route I haven’t driven.
Laura Jean accomplished both with her report from Potem Falls (Montgomery Creek) and Stand By Me Bridge (off CA-89) in the Burney area of the Shasta Cascade, scoring double First Reports.
Blackberries, Potem Falls Trail (11/4/18) Laura Jean
The color is definitely Past Peak near Burney, though bright spots of orange and yellow can be seen across its rolling landscape.
The hike to Potem Falls, is what one reviewer describes as “short but sweet.” Just .4 miles and lightly trafficked, it gains only 98 feet and has the bonus of a beautiful, 69-foot waterfall at the end of the trail. In summer, it’s a popular swimming hole.
Potem Falls, Burney – Past Peak, YOU MISSED IT.
Stand By Me Bridge, Burney – Past Peak, YOU MISSED IT.
http://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.png00John Poimiroohttp://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.pngJohn Poimiroo2018-11-08 00:31:272018-11-16 23:00:18Past Peak at Potem Falls
For sheer drama posed beside fall color in early November, it has to be Shasta.
Color spotter Namita Mishra was there this past weekend and sent back photographs of black oak, Quercus kelloggii, laden with orange leaves near the end of peak.
This week is likely the last to see peak color around the City of Mt. Shasta. Check below for previous reports on peak color being seen from Mt. Shasta south to Redding.
Mt. Shasta – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
Black oak and white alder, Mt. Shasta (11/3/18) Namita Mishra
http://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.png00John Poimiroohttp://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.pngJohn Poimiroo2018-11-05 16:04:412018-11-16 22:42:36It Hasta Be Shasta
Burney Falls, McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park (11/3/18) Clayton Peoples
Burney Falls, McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park (11/3/18) Clayton Peoples
Burney Falls, McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park (11/3/18) Clayton Peoples
When all other native trees are past peak, Black oak, Quercus kelloggii, hang in there.
Color spotter Clayton Peoples traveled to McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park on Saturday and was impressed by the fall color, which “was absolutely stunning. Although some of the black oak leaves have dried/browned a bit, others are still a vivid orange/yellow.
“Moreover,” he continued, “because autumn has been mild with few storms and little wind, trees are retaining their leaves quite well.”
He found that even “close to the falls, vegetation has begun to turn color, creating a colorful frame/backdrop for the falls. The same can be said for the creek, which is lined with a great variety of vegetation, all of which is sporting gorgeous fall color.”
That’s impressive, as Burney Falls is at elev. 2,783′ and yet elevations down to 100′ are nearing peak.
If you’re near Redding, Clayton encourages getting to Burney Falls now before storms arrive. As, the trip “is well worth it!”
Burney Falls, McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park (2,783′) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
Chinese pistache, Pistacia chinensis, Bidwell Park, Chico (11/3/18) Laura Jean
This is the week to visit Chico.
This forested college town in the northwest Sacramento Valley is one of California’s cities of trees.
Red maple, Acer rubrum, Bidwell Park, Chico (11/3/18) Laura Jean[/caption]The best places to be immersed in Chico’s fall color are downtown and along the Esplanade (a boulevard north of Chico State University that is lined with landmark plane trees, oaks and elm), in Downtown Chico whose streets are shaded with big trees and in Bidwell Park, the third largest municipal park in California (3,670 acres).
Within the park, best bets for fall color are: Sycamore Pond, Cedar Grove (home to the second tree experimentation farm in the U.S., where California pioneer John Bidwell planted trees from around the world), the Hooker Oak (now dead, though a massive Valley oak when living that was found to be two oaks that had grown together) and the Chico Creek Nature Center’s native plant garden.
Chico (132′) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
Spent leaves, Bidwell Park, Chico (11/3/18) Laura Jean
Chinese pistache, Pistacia chinensis, Bidwell Park, Chico (11/3/18) Laura Jean
Red maple, Acer rubrum, Bidwell Park, Chico (11/3/18) Laura Jean
Pacific dogwood, Cornus nuttallii, Bidwell Park, Chico (11/3/18) Laura Jean
Western sycamore, Platanus racemosa, Bidwell Park, Chico (11/3/18) Laura Jean
Pacific dogwood, Cornus nuttallii, Bidwell Park, Chico (11/3/18) Laura Jean
http://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.png00John Poimiroohttp://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.pngJohn Poimiroo2018-11-04 12:36:292018-11-16 23:04:29Peak of the Week: Chico
Sandill Cranes and Egret, Nelson (11/3/18) Robert Kermen
Blue Heron, Nelson (11/3/18) Robert Kermen
Sandhill Cranes, Nelson (11/3/18) Robert Kermen
Female, adult Red Tail Hawk, Nelson (11/3/18) Robert Kermen
Here’s a fowl idea. Between waiting for fall color to descend through the foothill canyons to lower elevations, fill the time enjoying the fall migration of water fowl and their predators to California’s Central Valley.
Robert Kermen spent yesterday among sandhill cranes, great blue heron, egrets and a watchful redtail hawk near Nelson.
He writes, “With the flooding of the harvested rice checks, rodents are forced above ground where blue herons, red tail hawks, kestrels and other predators gobble them up.”
“Also seen are magnificent sandhill cranes, that even this late in the season can be seen going through courtship displays.”
If you stay until dusk, you’ll see them flying in at sunset to roost overnight in shallow ponds or on islands protected from predators by natural moats.
Central Valley Wildlife Refuges (birdwatching) (50′) – Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW!
Flooded Rice Field, Nelson (11/3/18) Robert Kermen
All the leaves are down And the sky’s not gray I’ve been for a walk On an autumn day I’d be seeing Patchy If I was in L.A.
California dreamin’ On such a late fall day …
— apologies to The Mamas and the Papas
Bigleaf maple, Boyle Ravine, Quincy (11/3/18) Michael Beatley
Forest detritus, Boyle Ravine, Quincy (11/3/18) Michael Beatley
Spent leaves, Boyle Ravine, Quincy (11/3/18) Michael Beatley
Michael Beatley walked past a church on his hike to Boyle Ravine in Quincy yesterday morning, if he passed Community United Methodist along the way.
Boyle Ravine (First Report) provides outdoor learning for students at nearby Quincy Elementary School (What a great idea. Every school oughta have outdoor learning nearby). It’s at the end of Coburn St. and has been newly added to the California Fall Color map.
There, you’ll find the faded glory of bigleaf maple, Pacific dogwood, black oak, alder, fern, violas, cedar, pine and fir trees along the forest trail.Looks like we’ll have to do some California dreamin’ about visiting it next autumn.
Boyle Ravine, Quincy (3,342′) – Past Peak, YOU MISSED IT.
http://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.png00John Poimiroohttp://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.pngJohn Poimiroo2018-11-04 10:46:582018-11-16 22:54:20All The Leaves Are Down
Along the Upper Sacramento River between Dunsmuir and the city of Mt. Shasta (I-5), you can hike beside railroad tracks laid by the pioneer Central Pacific RR to waterfalls, fabulous fly fishing and peak fall color.
Phillip Reedy and a fishing buddy hiked to fish the river on Friday, but “Not wanting to have our camera gear take a bath, we decided not to wade across the river and instead hiked along the railroad tracks from Shasta Way in Dunsmuir to Mossbrae falls,” discovering “great fall color and views of Mt. Shasta along the tracks, although we had to clear off of the tracks at one point to let a long freight train pass by.”
Phil estimates this is likely the last opportunity to see peak color between Dunsmuir and the city of Mt. Shasta. “The trees still look great near Dunsmuir but are dropping leaves rapidly. Closer to Mt. Shasta at Cantera Loop the trees are mostly bare.”
South of Dunsmuir, north of the I-5 fire area, the mountainsides are still very colorful with scrub oak. Though, overall fall color in the mountains of northern California is “dwindling rapidly, so it’s time to look to lower elevations”
He said the hike to Mossbrae Falls (near the bedroom community of Shasta Springs) and the falls themselves are beautiful and worth the effort. A shorter hike from a parking area in Dunsmuir leads to Hedge Creek Falls, nearing the end of their peak.
Dunsmuir is a town that loves trees and trains.
Dogwood Daze, held annually in late May, is a friendly, homespun event with pancake breakfast, pie social, doggie parade, soapbox derby, homemade crafts and a well-timed realtor’s open house. No doubt a number of out-of-towners were enticed to buy a second home in Dunsmuir after experiencing the small-town, innocent fun of Dogwood Daze.
The Dunsmuir Botanical Gardens in the town park is full of native white dogwood (Pacific Dogwood, Cornus nuttallii) which, though now past peak, carried heavy loads of red and rose-colored leaves this past month. Locals remain proud of a 1924 visit by major leaguers Babe Ruth and Bob Meusel who played an exhibition game in the park during a barnstorming tour by rail that stopped in Dunsmuir.
This railroad town is used to welcoming visitors. Amtrak’s Coast Starlight stops there, daily. Visitors can dine in an opulent dining car at the Dunsmuir Railroad Park Resort, or stay overnight in one of several cabooses (much warmer and inviting than described in the previous post).
Mossbrae Falls, Shasta City (2,529′) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
Hedge Creek Falls, Dunsmuir (2,490′) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
Dunsmuir (2290′) – Peak to Past Peak, YOU ALMOST MISSED IT.
Mt Shasta City (3,586′) – Past Peak, YOU MISSED IT.
Upper Sacramento River (11/2/18) Phillip Reedy
Union Pacfic RR Tracks, Dunsmuir (11/2/18) Phillip Reedy
Mossbrae Falls, Shasta City (11/2/18) Phillip Reedy
Upper Sacramento River (11/2/18) Phillip Reedy
Mossbrae Falls, Shasta City (11/2/18) Phillip Reedy
Mt. Shasta, Union Pacfic RR Tracks, Dunsmuir (11/2/18) Phillip Reedy
Union Pacfic RR Tracks, Dunsmuir (11/2/18) Phillip Reedy
http://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.png00John Poimiroohttp://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.pngJohn Poimiroo2018-11-04 09:12:062018-11-16 22:53:58On Track To Great Fall Color
Bigleaf maple, Hat Creek Ranch (10/30/18) Martha Fletcher
The Fly Shop in Redding operates streamside fishing cabins on private waters. That might sound exclusive, but visiting them is as easy as staying at one of their lodges, whether you’re an angler or not.
Shasta Cascade color spotter Martha Fletcher was at The Fly Shop’s Hat Creek Ranch and found its two streamside vacation cabins shaded by yellow bigleaf maples.
Nearby, “the creek offers meadow fishing with undercut banks and willows that offer just enough cover to keep the fish happy, but not so overgrown that an angler can’t present a fly to one of the numerous trout that rise consistently throughout the day. PMD, BWO, Caddis, Stoneflies, Midges, Hoppers and other assorted Terrestrials and even streamer patterns, all have their time and place during the many seasons of Hat Creek.
“Hat Creek is noted for the vibrancy of its aquatic life. Top water action is prevalent every day of the season, and opportunities abound for nymph and streamer fishing as well. There are fish of all sizes in this stretch of river, and patient anglers, who take the time to stalk their quarry and make a good presentation, can sight-cast to some real bruisers,” The Fly Shop writes.
As for Hat Creek Ranch’s fall color, it appears to be dropping off.
Near Happy Camp, west of Yreka, on the Klamath River, Phillip Reedy found happiness floating, fishing and photographing fall color.
Phillip wrote of his first day on the river, “my fishing buddies had little patience for photography and I never even got to stop and take any pictures.”
Fortunately, the river Gods … that means, his guides, “took pity on me and chose a stretch of the river teeming with color, mostly dogwood, oak and big leaf maple. I spent the morning in the front of the boat taking pictures while my buddy fished out of the back.”
Reedy returned with having bagged his limit of gorgeous fall color and a First Report for the Klamath River.
http://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.png00John Poimiroohttp://www.californiafallcolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/logo-1.pngJohn Poimiroo2018-10-31 10:33:492018-11-16 22:51:40Happy on the Klamath
Nelson Creek Bridge, Feather River, CA-70 (10/27/18) Crys Black
Hot Springs Ravine, Feather River, CA-70 (10/27/18) Crys Black
Rock Creek Reservoir, Feather River, CA-70 (10/27/18) Crys Black
Belden, Feather River, CA-70 (10/27/18) Crys Black
Black oak growing in Plumas County’s Feather River Canyon are dressed for Halloween wearing their brightest orange and black.
Color spotter Crys Black, “saw some of the best, most consistent color of the season,” on a Saturday drive from Marysville by heading east on the Quincy/La Porte Rd up into the Northern Sierra through Strawberry Valley (First Report) where fall color was “amazing.”
“Quincy was still really pretty although seems like it won’t last much longer,” and noted, “We loved how everyone was dressed for the big Halloween party.” It wasn’t just the trees that were dressed for Halloween.
On her return drive to Oroville via CA-70, the Feather River Canyon was at peak with “constant color.”
Strawberry Valley – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
Quincy – Peak to Past Peak, YOU ALMOST MISSED IT!
Spanish Creek – – Peak to Past Peak, YOU ALMOST MISSED IT!
