Natural History Wanderings

California Fall Color has several new postings with photos

Peak GO NOW! Above 8,000′ in all upper Eastern Sierra canyons

Rock Creek was peaking, as was McGee. Rock Creek “Looks to be peak color now. The lake was past peak with barren trees.”

the best color right now in my opinion is in the McGee Creek drainage. “The color is peaking from the trailhead and is virtually continuous for the first 4 miles of the trail when it begins to transition to a pine forest at the beaver pond.”

“As one travels north, the color becomes more hit and miss with a lot of stripped aspen that prematurely dropped leaves. This is especially the case in the Twin Lakes/Bridgeport area under 8,000 feet. Above 8,000 feet I found an excellent peaking grove near Barney Lake.”

Color spotter Jaded Jennifer writes, “Just got back from the Eastern Sierra last night.  Conway Summit was half down and half peak.  Bishop Creek Canyon at South Lake was absolutely gorgeous, but again trees were half down.  June Lake only needs a few more days and it will peak.  Lots of color around the loop but mostly lemony and butter yellows.  The loop between Grant lake and Silver Lake had more color.  Convict Lake had some good color.  Lots of color still left at Virginia lakes at the actual lake.”

Big Pine Creek Peak GO NOW! (75-100%) – Big Pine Creek 

North Fork hike is not for the feint hearted.  Modern Hikerdescribes it as a difficult trek that gains 3,000′ in 9.2 miles.  Whew!
However, there’s a fall color bonus the higher you go.
“There’s good color to be found for folks willing to walk a ways up the trail. Below Second Falls (9,000′) the color is Patchy, but it’s peaking from Cienega Mirth (above 9,000′) and up, with very few bare trees.”

Near Peak GO NOW (50-75%) – Lassen Volcanic National Park – Willows and cottonwood are peaking.  Alders are patchy.

San Bernadino Mts. 

• Peak GO NOW! (75-100%) – Green Valley Lake – Aspen and maple are peaking, though what few black oak are there have a way to go.
• Near Peak GO NOW! (50-75%) Big Bear Lake – Color can be found along the lake, its roads and trails and in town.
• Patchy (10-50%) – Lake Arrowhead and Lake Gregory –Still on the low end of the scale, these mountain lakes will approach peak in two weeks.

Go to California Fall Color to see full posting, photos and follow new updates