Fall Color Shoot #2 (Umpqua Update... sorta)

If you folks are interested in getting together for an Oregon event in the latter part of October, I'll organize it. I probably won't do a web page for it, that will depend on time. But we can cetainly discuss it here and I can post the final decision in a featured thread. Also, I won't be able to make it, because my wife an I will be in McCall, Idaho for our 5th anniversary.

So since our moderators are still recovering from medical issues, I need is someone to volunteer to kind of lead/guide the group for the event.

I will start the ball rolling by suggesting Clear Lake (McKenzie River) during the 2nd or 3rd weekend of October.

Who's interested?

I'd be interested, but probably not as a lead/guide.

Silver Creek Falls?

Silver Falls sounds like a good one for Falls Fenimore to act as the guide!

If there is interest - sure. It will have to be a weekend I am not on call, and I typically hit the trail while still dark to make all the destinations before harsh light... aka: "Early!!!"

On Saturday afternoon I would be honored to join and I would prefer Silver Falls, but on Saturday mornings I am busy with studio portrait classes with Mike Riches at PCC. Anybody knows him...?
I noticed that this time of year the mornings are rather dull and cloudy - it clears towards afternoon..
However, don't count my voice when you are making the decision as I my time is rather unreliable. I can say: yes I am going, but then at the last second I may suddenly withdraw....

I'm a little reluctant to do Silver Falls, as I've just never been impressed with the fall color there, but then again, I may never have been there at the right time under the right circumstances. That being said, I don't have another suggestion that's better.

I'd be up for most anywhere, Silver Falls included. Of course, a followup of trip #1 would be fine, too. There's gotta be some nice fall color in the Gorge, too...

Kevin

We did Silver falls last year (???) and I wasn't all that impressed. Not much color and not much waterfall made for "eh" photos for the most part. I'll keep an eye here but would prefer somewhere else. I'd still try to make it if this is what the masses decide

Let's bag the SCF idea.. I do not know where else to suggest though...

I'll check with the Willamette NF HQ periodically, and keep you all posted until I leave on my Idaho trip, because I think you guys would do well to hit Clear Lake and the McKenzie River trail in mid to late October...

You know - up the Umqua could be very good too.. McKenzie made me think of that.. I always see amazing color on the upper river as far as and beyond Toketee...

Anybody knows the north side of Mt. Jefferson in the fall? I am not talking about summiting, but I am planning to take a two days hike to the north base of the mountain. I don't remember the name of the place, but I am mean the lakes and meadows at the northern foot of the mountain. Are there any fall colors over there?
The plan: driving to the trail head, walking up to the mountain base, spending the night, wandering around looking for nice views, maybe hiking one hour up the slope, then back to the parking lot and home. I was thinking about a weekend in October, weather permitting, probably weekend of Oct 13/14 or 20/21. I was planning on going there alone, but if somebody is willing to go up with me I will feel really honored.

Well seeing as the mountains (up north at least) are getting completely socked in a month too early, I might have to swing down to the 'gon for a fall color fix, so I might be in on wherever this little romp ends up...so long as it isn't too far south at least. SCF would be nice, but I'd ideally like to see some vine maple. The west approach to McKenzie Pass is by far the best area I've ever seen in Oregon for maple, but I have no idea if the road is even still open (maybe all this snow is just messing with my perception of the mountain passes too - hopefully it'll still be accessible for another month). Anyone know where (if?) ODOT has their closure information posted?

Any recent thoughts? Ned's idea of the Umpqua is interesting. I'm hoping to swing out to the Gorge this Weds, otherwise, Oct 15 &20,21 is open for me.

Kevin

Head up the windy river highway... North of Carson there is a lot of color everywhere. I think I'm going to try to visit Falls Creek Falls on Sunday. Head up NF road 3062 and then NF road 55, I believe - just head for Lower Falls creek falls (a lot more color than at Silver Falls - but bring food since there is nothing out here):

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=Carson,+WA&ie=UTF8&ll=45.883197,-121.948328&spn=0.051802,0.092354&z=14&om=1

Well I just got off the phone with the Umpqua headquarters. I told them we were looking for a new location to shoot Fall colors, and they literally said they don't know what the colors are like out in the forest. I don't believe it was a brush off. I think they truly don't have a clue. In fact the person I talked to didn't even know what a vine maple is...

I'm currently trying to get some extra work done at the office and at home so I can go on vacation. (We're leaving Friday after work) So I apologize, that I just don't really have a lot of time to get more info for you guys.

Here are the options discussed so far:
1. Silver Falls State Park
2. Umpqua National Forest
3. Clear Lake/McKenzie Pass

If you guys decide to go down to Umpqua, I encourage you to check out Clear Lake on your way down. The lake itself has incredible hues that would make a great contrast to the yellows and reds of the very abundant Vine Maple.

I don't know a lot about Umpqua because I've never done more than fly through it on my way to somewhere else.

Good Luck!
when I take my lunch break later I'll do a little surfing and see if I can find some reports on Umpqua.

The Umpqua is my ol stomping grounds as a kid. There's some good vine maple, but more Oaks...and as we know, oaks turn brown really fast. The comps are harder to come by, but there are some great little areas when you go down to Roseburg, and head in past the little town of Glide...then towards Diamond Lake. The "area" around Tokatee Falls & Watson Falls are the areas to spend the most time if you head that way.