Owens River Fall Colors

Hey All,

Although beautiful in its own right the Owens River seems like the step child during Fall Color discussions.

However I find its placement snaking through the base of all those 13ers and 14ers to be quite compelling. Obviously it lacks Aspens but there are sections with other trees and vegatation which do turn color.

So I was wondering if any of you can recommend a good/favorite location for Fall Colors along the river, like near Big Pine, Lone Pine or Bishop? I am thinking of a place with possible cottonwoods or other trees which turn color. Sample photos are of course always appreciated.

And of course I wouldn't want anyone to give away their top secret spots. For those you can send me an email. LOL..

Lastly does it normally turn first or a bit later?

Thanks for any tips you can provide,

Derek

I think the cottonwoods typically go in november (though in some places the leaves are already noticeably lighter), the rabbit brush is in full swing right now. I find the owen's valley foliage to be nicest in the winter (plus the sierras with snow on them add a lot to the overall scene), but you may be able to get the winter colors with some later cottonwoods if you time it right.

The trees turn in november but I'm not sur when the brush turns. The Justin Black* spot is just on the other side of the 395 just north of Bishop before you head up the grade. Some might think of it as a secret but it's not. You can find many different spots just by driving along the edge there.
The first shot was taken Oct 07 the second shot was taken Jan 21st. Hopefully you get the leaves still on the trees while all of the brush turns red. I don't know if they do this simultaneously. If you've never seen the place you should check it out.

*not sure if he shoots any more it's all old stuff

The lower the elevation the later the turn, but the cottonwoods turn a pretty brigth yellow. Going up next weekend, so it probably hasn't ven started in Bishop I'd say late October early November. Cory might know better.

Paul

Thanks for the tips guys. Steve those images really demontrate the effects of the seasons well. It sounds like November might be best for the trees in the lower elevations like this. However I did find one photo I really liked which was taken during the first week of October by Chiranjeeb Buragohain: http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=3919319 That yellow plant adds a nice touch to the rivers edge.

You can find endless amounts of that blooming rabbit brush right now! All over the valley floor.

Due to manmade events, the Owens River is a thick swarm of mosquitos as of last Friday. You can't get near it. It's deadly.

Mosquito's are still bad, but the coming weather change might fix that, by manmade events Jeffrey what do you mean they flooded the fields again? By the by the bush in the photo looks like rabbit brush I guess and it is in full bloom up and down the Owens valley and the Cottonwoods are starting to turn already especially around Lone Pine.