California Fall Color has many new postings and photos.
Recent updates include Siskiyou County, Shasta County, Plumas County, Tehama County, Butte County. Mono County and Wine Country Vineyardsin Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino, Monterey, Santa Clara and Contra Costa Counties.
Highlights below
GO NOW! – 75-100% – Siskiyou County – The area surrounding Mt. Shasta between 3,500’ and 4,000’ is at full peak. Now is the time to get a shot of Mt. Shasta with fall color in the foreground, though it will be declining now, through the weekend and into next week. Good places to head are lower Castle Lake Road, lower South Fork Road (Forest Road 26), and Pondosa on Hwy 89 east of Mt. Shasta. Aspen near Pondosa are at peak, though now dropping color.
GO NOW! 50-75% – Shasta County – The area in and around Redding is approaching peak, so we’re issuing our first Go Now Alert for Shasta County. Bigleaf maple, oaks and riparian brush are nearing peak with lots of yellow, orange, gold, red, and chartreuse in the woods. Areas along the Sacramento River Trail, at Sundial Bridge, Turtle Bay Exploration Park, and Anderson River Park are brightening up with some areas below 50% and others near peak. Great fall color is also seen at the Coleman Fish Hatchery and the Battle Creek Wildlife Area, where fall colors and salmon returning to the area can be seen simultaneously. Drive west on CA-299 for color splashes between Whiskeytown National Recreation Area and Weaverville.
GO NOW! 75-100% – Plumas County – Oaks along Highway 89 have been at peak for the past week. Aspen and dogwood are also peaking, providing for abundant shows of yellow, orange, and red in the forest.
30 – 50% – Butte County – Little has changed this week in Butte County. Trees are still showing a variety of colors ranging from greens to reds, with the best places to see fall color remaining as: Bidwell Park, the Hwy 32 corridor, CSU Chico, the Hwy 99 corridor, Manzanita Ave., and Esplanade Ave.
30 – 50% – Tehama County – More color is appearing at lower elevations of Tehama County, though the change is similar to Butte County. There is a considerable amount of yellows, and more oranges and reds appearing among bright greens. Areas to see the best displays are found at The Sacramento River Discovery Center, Woodson Bridge State Recreation Area, and Lassen Volcanic National Park.Reports from wine growing regions in northern and central California describe beautiful color in the vineyards with different varieties showing maroon, crimson, orange, yellow and lime grape leaves. All but a few late harvest grapes remain on the vines.
GO NOW! – 50 – 75% – Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino, Monterey, Santa Clara and Contra Costa County Vineyards – Peak will evolve through vineyards as specific varieties of grapes turn color. The show will likely continue for another two to three weeks.
Mono Moves to the lower Canyons, Walker River There’s still gorgeous color to be seen in Mono County, though it’s now peaking in the lower canyons, Walker River and at Topaz Lake. This is likely the last weekend for peak color along the rim of the June Lake Loop, which has been spectacular.
Past Peak – Upper areas of Mono County are now past peak with remnant color still viewable, such as at Sotcher Lake near Reds Meadow (west of Mammoth Lakes).
GO NOW! – 75-100% – Lower Rock Creek – Spots of color are found up the lower section of Rock Creek, though upper Rock Creek has completely blown its color.
GO NOW! 75-100% – Lee Vining Canyon – Robust stands of aspen can be found in Lee Vining Canyon. A wide ribbon of color is seen in Lee Vining Canyon from pull-outs along Tioga Pass Rd and close-up from the Poole Power Plant Road turn-off.
Natural History Wanderings 
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