Natural History Wanderings

California Fall Color reports

So, we’re now officially declaring Bishop Creek to be past peak, though some lower areas are still showing color.

We recommend exploring the Owens Valley for interesting color.  In and around Bishop are many stands of cottonwood and some oaks, as well as urban landscaped trees that show bright color.

Past Peak YOU MISSED IT! – Mist Falls and the groves above Bishop Creek Lodge (8350ft)

Past Peak YOU MISSED IT! – Aspendell (8400ft

Peak GO NOW! (50-75%%) – Four Jeffreys (8000ft) – Four Jeffreys is showing the last of its color.

Peak GO NOW! (75-100%) – Intake II (8000ft) – Very few groves near the dam and along the shoreline have peak color.

Near Peak GO NOW! (50-75%) – Big Trees Campground (7800ft) –Nice color remains in this past to peak area of the canyon.

Near Peak (50-75%) – Bishop (4,150ft) – The upper Owens Valley has developed beautifully and has such a mix of patchy to peaking trees, that we’re calling it Near Peak and issuing an alert to go now. Beautiful gold can be found along Pacific St. in Bishop, while some areas in the Owens Valley are still early. Ornamental pear and other deciduous exotic landscaped trees in Bishop and other Owens Valley towns are coloring up, depending on their specie.

Patchy (10-50%) – Lower Owens Valley – Independence and Lone Pine are developing spots of color along streams and in lower Eastern Sierra canyons.

See photos at Inyo County Fall Color