Fall Color in Yosemite Valley early November?

Hi all

I know many of you can help me with this question as many of you are frequent Yosemite visitors. I'm thinking of hitting up the valley the weekend of November 6th and I'm wondering is time of year typically still good for fall color? I can't get there any sooner and I'm aware that the colors are at some stage already but I'm hoping it will still be worth the drive and not all dried up. Thoughts?

Thanks in advance!

Mike

Mike, you might contact Lon if he doesn't respond here. Also check out Michael Frye's blog as he posts current conditions in the valley. I'm hoping to head there at the end of the month early nov. myself.

Of course like anywhere the colors vary a bit year to year. But that being said I was there last year at the beginning of November at it was really nice. Though some trees were past prime like the maples around the old chapel. I'll be there again this year during the same time.

http://landandseaphoto.smugmug.com/Locations/Yosemite-2009/7006312_tzV5E#700848010_r8RfW

Derek

According to Micheal's blog (posted 10/15), the Valley is being slow to change this year. We had some unseasonably warm weather in late September and again last week. With this last storm, things may perk up a bit. Another storm system is forcast for the upcoming weekend, so we'll see how it goes.

I was there on October 23-24 last year. The maples at the Chapel were flaming, and the oaks were looking nice, but still had some green.

--P

Mike,

As Preston mentions, each year varies, but the first week in November is typically pretty darn good. It's just things like rain and weather that are of course unpredictable.

I was in the valley that exact weekend last year. Check out my "new work" page, scroll down about half way and you'll see the autumn images from the valley.

As Preston eludes, the maples will go before the oaks and I'm guessing the famous Sugar Maple in front of the Chapel may be gone by then. But autumn is another special time in Yosemite and I don't think you would be disappointed that weekend. I'm thinking of going myself.

Lon

Thanks for update contributions, guys.

Geesh Lon,

Your shots of those black oaks from last year are freakin' Stunning!!! Weren't you officially nicknamed/designated Valley tree man or something?

- Derek

I call them Lon's Tree i have driven to Yosemite valley so many times but didn't had the slightest idea that they can be so beautifully captured until he showed me some of them last winter those shots are a great inspiration, wish i could have seen them in large prints.

Yeah, can you imagine if they look that good on the web how much more detail would jump out of a LF print of them!

Derek

Thanks gents for your feedback. If any of you end up going perhaps we'll see you there.

You also might follow the Yosemite Nature Notes Blog http://yosemitenaturenotes.blogspot.com/2010/10/illilouette-gorge.html
It often mentions fall color in the valley. There last report yesterday said: sugar maples and dogbane are showing a lot of color in Yosemite Valley. Native Maples, Aspen and Cottonwood are either just starting or still green. Oaks haven’t turned or gone mainly to brown.
If I here I anything I will post it in one of the fall updates on my blog.

Sandy
Berkeley, CA
Natural History Wanderings
http://picasaweb.google.com/sandysteinman

Thanks Sandy!

Hi all,
I was in the valley last saturday. The sugar maple is probably peak, or very close right now! Some other nice color in the ground cover, and a few of the big leaf maples.No significant color in the dogwoods yet, or the oaks, but a dappling of color I suppose.

Chris

Early September we speculated on another thread when aspens in the Eastern Sierra might peak and there was some reason for me to think it would be rather late but hard to call which has come to pass as at this point I would describe the season in the main lower aspen groves as the latest in my long years checking those areas out. However it is also very skewed at upper elevation groves I've seen that are by this time passed peak or gone. For Pacific dogwoods, bigleaf maples, cottonwoods, willows, black oak, on west side slopes, I would suggest the best strategy is again not to commit to some firm dates but rather wait to see how it plays out and when reports are positive make your road trips plans at short notice.

Here is the latest report from Michael Frye. Things are starting to get good!

http://www.michaelfrye.com/landscape-photography-blog/

Derek