Since we have far fewer chances for good fall color around here, would people please post specifics if they find anything good? I expect there are some decent aspens around at the higher Nothern CA elevations, at least, right?
With a bit of luck, i may be able to head to Vermont for a week the first of october, but there has to be SOMEthing around here, too...
thanks -
Sandy r
Posted by Steve Sieren on August 24, 2009 at 2:18 AM
Sandy, I found one gold aspen leaf today on the river trail from Agnew Meadows but it's still way to early for the aspens. I did find tons of corn lillies that have turned all up and down that trail so yes you could start your fall color hunt a little early this year.
You could also try Carol Leighs's fall color hot sheet at Calphoto.com
Posted by Cory Freeman on August 24, 2009 at 9:47 AM
Sandy, as Steve said we're a ways away from fall color in the Eastern Sierra. Usually late sept to mid oct is fair game. Though this year should be very interesting as we've had some odd weather with a very cold wintery June. Should be interesting to see how/if it affects the aspen color and timing this season. As the colors get close I'll start posting reports on my Blog.
Reno and I saw some yellow leaves on a Fremont Cottonwood at the 8,000 foot level on Sonora Pass last week. At this point, any yellow leaves are due to low moisture content, rather than true Autumn color change. The Corn Lillies are yellow, and some willow have a reddish tinge. But, it's still early.
Early to mid-October is a pretty good bet for Sonora Pass (about 4 hours from the Bay Area). Yosemite, which is much lower, usually has fine color in late October/November; these are mostly Black Oak and Dogwood.
I'll admit that the extent and variety of color in the Sierra isn't on par with Colorado or the North East, but the range is still sublime.
I will post any reports of color in the Sonora Pass country, since I go up there frequently.
I was up in Little Lakes valley/Rock Creek this weekend. Not even close to any color happening yet. It will be a while longer. Carol Leigh's website is a great resource. Link is below.
Posted by Paul Duval on August 24, 2009 at 11:03 PM
I'm no expert by any means, but the area around Bishop has many opportunities for good fall color, North Lake near Lake Sabrina is ringed by Aspens, and there are many Aspen stands along the South fork of Bishop Creek. The range of colors is not as broad as the eastern Hardwood forests, but it can be just as intense in the yellow and red spectrum. Color will depend on the daytime and over nite temps in the higher elevations. I just returned from a trip to the Owens Valley including Mono Lake and the Low Pressure system passing through dropped daytime temps at the lower altitudes into the 80's with rain at Mono Lake. The NOAA website is a great place to track the weather as it changes into fall.
Discussion
5 repliesWith a bit of luck, i may be able to head to Vermont for a week the first of october, but there has to be SOMEthing around here, too...
thanks -
Sandy r
You could also try Carol Leighs's fall color hot sheet at Calphoto.com
Reno and I saw some yellow leaves on a Fremont Cottonwood at the 8,000 foot level on Sonora Pass last week. At this point, any yellow leaves are due to low moisture content, rather than true Autumn color change. The Corn Lillies are yellow, and some willow have a reddish tinge. But, it's still early.
Early to mid-October is a pretty good bet for Sonora Pass (about 4 hours from the Bay Area). Yosemite, which is much lower, usually has fine color in late October/November; these are mostly Black Oak and Dogwood.
I'll admit that the extent and variety of color in the Sierra isn't on par with Colorado or the North East, but the range is still sublime.
I will post any reports of color in the Sonora Pass country, since I go up there frequently.
http://www.calphoto.com/fall.htm