Spectacular peak foliage is heading toward its final New York State destinations this weekend and will be found in the Finger Lakes, Greater Niagara and Long Island regions,e found in the Greater Niagara, Finger Lakes, and Hudson Valley regions
Read full report and see map at New York Fall Foliage Report | Experience Peak Fall Colors in NY
Fall Colors in Mono County – Mono County Tourism
October 30, 2019: We are officially past peak! Thank you for an incredible fall color season. Start planning you trip for next year during the last few weeks of September through the month of October.
WALKER / COLEVILLE / TOPAZ
Monitor Pass (8,314′)
West Walker River, Walker, Coleville and Topaz (5,200′)
Sonora Pass (9,623′)
BRIDGEPORT / VIRGINIA LAKES
Twin Lakes (7,000′)
Virginia Lakes (9,819’)
Conway Summit (8,143)
Summers Meadow (7,200′)
LEE VINING
Tioga Pass (9,943′) – past peak.
Lee Vining Canyon (6,781′)
Lundy Lake & Canyon (7,858′)
BENTON & 120 EAST
Sagehen Summit (8,139’) – Past peak.
JUNE LAKE LOOP
June Lake Loop/Hwy 158 (7,654′)
MAMMOTH LAKES
Follow Visit Mammoth on Instagram and Facebook for more!
Mammoth Lakes Basin (8,996′) – Past Peak
CROWLEY LAKE/McGEE CREEK/CONVICT LAKE
McGee Creek Canyon (8,600’) – past peak
Around Crowley community (6,781′)
Convict Lake (7850′)
ROCK CREEK CANYON
Rock Creek Road (9,600’)
Click HERE to download our Fall Color Guide & Map!
Birding Field Trips and Walks with Golden Gate Audubon
for more information on above walks go to Upcoming Field Trips | Golden Gate Audubon Society
Posted in Birds | Tags: Bay Area Birding Field Trips, Bird Walks, Birding Field Trips, Birds
Point Reyes National Seashore currently has limited services and limited resources. Visitors should anticipate no cell phone coverage, no electric vehicle charging stations and limited local services in nearby tow. Phones will be down as well. There will be limited emergency services and there is also poor air quality, “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.” We are currently under a Red Flag warning. The Bear Valley Visitor Center is currently open but without power. All other park buildings do not have power. Very little fuel at gas stations in Marin County so starting with a full tank of gas is imperative. Be aware that stoplights will probably not be functional so take care at intersections and operate your vehicle safely. Stay safe! (ca)
Posted in Park | Tags: Point Reyes National Seashore
The New York Times has an detailed opinion piece on how forest management and other factors have let to the catastrophic forest fires like we have been having in California. Here are a few excerpts:
Ecologists and forest experts attribute California’s destructive wildfires to decades of aggressive fire suppression, in addition to the increased population of fire-prone areas and hotter, drier conditions due to climate change.
Before Euro-American settlement in the 1800s, fires burned about 1.5 million acres of forest each year, on average, according to an analysis of fire return intervals
But between 1950 and 1999, fires burned just 57,000 acres on average each year under a sweeping fire-suppression policy. Forests that were once periodically cleared by less intense wildfires are now covered by “thick carpets of forest fuels,”
Read full article at Opinion | To Help Prevent the Next Big Wildfire, Let the Forest Burn – The New York Times
Posted in Environment | Tags: Forest Fires, Forest Management
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Posted in Park | Tags: Regional Park Closure
The LA Times reports
Usually it’s humans who are responsible for polluting natural ecosystems. But on Anacapa and Santa Barbara islands, gulls appear to be the ones spoiling the wild habitat with processed food and puked-up trash.
Read full story at Seagulls’ love of In-N-Out may be changing the Channel Islands – Los Angeles Times
Posted in Birds, Environment | Tags: Channel Islands
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Posted in Park | Tags: East Bay Regional Park Closure
Center for Biological Diversity News Release
Feds Launch Process to Protect Endangered West Coast Orcas From Vessel Disturbance
Announcement Follows Lawsuit Over ‘Whale Protection Zone’ in Washington’s Inland Waters
SEATTLE— The National Marine Fisheries Service today announced a public scoping process to determine how to protect critically endangered Southern Resident killer whales from boat noise and disturbance in Washington’s inland waters.
The announcement follows a lawsuit filed in August by the Center for Biological Diversity and Orca Relief Citizens’ Alliance (ORCA) seeking to create a “whale protection zone” off the west coast of San Juan Island. The groups welcomed today’s federal action but urged officials to move quickly to protect a population that has dropped to just 73 orcas.
Posted in Animals | Tags: Orca Whales
The BBC reports
Doubts are growing about the future protection of the UK’s environment following Brexit.
The Financial Times reported that an official paper shared by ministers proposed to deviate from green standards set by the European Union.
It said the UK was open to significant divergence – even though the Prime Minister has previously promised standards won’t fall.
The government says it “doesn’t recognise” the document – but the paper chimes with a BBC analysis which suggests the green watchdog planned after Brexit may be toothless.
Read full story at Doubts grow over UK environment protection post-Brexit – BBC News
Posted in Environment | Tags: UK Environmental Protection
NPR reports on National Parks dealing with the increased popularity of electric bicycles and what policies each park should set regarding their use. Read article at National Parks Trying To Get A Handle On E-Bikes : NPR
Posted in Park | Tags: e-bikes in the National Parks
The final flowers of Midewin are beginning to fall out of bloom as the trees are losing the green in their leaves. The New England asters are holding onto their last few flowers as they begin to grow dormant for the year.
The colors have started to change with the cooler weather we are having.
Fall colors on the Hoosier National Forest are starting pop! The maples and sassafras are at their bright red peak while the poplars and sycamores have reached their bright yellows. About 75% of the trees are showing beautiful oranges, reds, yellows, and browns. Some trees, like the oaks, remain green for a wide range of colors. Forecast for the weekend and next week is in the low 60s and high 50s making for perfect recreation weather among the beautiful fall colors. A few areas to put on your radar are Buzzard Roost Rec Area and German Ridge Rec Area. Also, a climb to the top of the Hickory Ridge Lookout Tower in the Charles C. Deam Wilderness would be ideal.
Gorgeous peak foliage continues its progression through New York State this weekend, with some of the best fall colors to be found in the Greater Niagara, Finger Lakes, and Hudson Valley regions
Read full report and see map at New York Fall Foliage Report | Experience Peak Fall Colors in NY
Great Smoky Mountains National Park reports
With recent rain and cool temperatures, fall colors are really beginning to pop! High elevation areas reveal mountain vistas with reds and oranges at the tops fading to greens in lower elevation areas. Because the Smoky Mountains have over 5,000 feet of elevation change, there is always a beautiful place to enjoy the colorful foliage. Be aware that most park roadways are experiencing congestion this time of year, especially between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
See photos at (3) Great Smoky Mountains National Park – Home
from the the Mono Lake Committee
Submitting images for consideration for the Mono Lake Calendar has never been easier, so if you have a beautiful shot, we’d love to see it! Now is the time—the deadline is next Thursday,October 31, 2019, and you can find submission information here.
We are looking for images of scenes within the watershed boundary of Mono Lake, and possible subjects include, but are not limited to: plants, geologic features, streams, mountains, weather, fall colors, and wildlife. Images of sand tufa (which are different from regular tufa towers) will not be considered due to the degradation affecting these features. Where possible, images identifiable within the context of Mono Lake’s and/or the Mono Basin’s unique scenic beauty will receive preference. In striving to represent the natural beauty of Mono Lake, images that are obviously or heavily filtered or manipulated will not be considered.
Since 1986, the magnificent geological and ecological wonders of Mono Lake have been celebrated in the Mono Lake Calendar, published by the Mono Lake Committee. Sales of the calendar help to fund the Committee’s work to protect and restore both the lake and the Mono Basin. The Mono Lake Calendar has been widely acclaimed for its artistic merit, due in large measure to the talent of the photographers whose work is represented. Each year, the calendar has been published according to exacting standards of artistic, photographic, and manufacturing excellence.
Click here for submission information and forms. Contact me by email or call (760) 647-6595 x111 with questions.
Posted in Photography | Tags: Mono Lake Calendar, Mono Lake Committee
SF Gate reports
The acting director of the National Park Service was shuffled out of his job Wednesday, reassigned to head Yosemite National Park while being replaced with a retired parks official who was once accused of skirting environmental law but is believed to be more sympathetic to President Trump’s direction for the park system.
Read more at Yosemite National Park gets new superintendent in Trump shuffle – SFGate
Posted in Park | Tags: Yosemite National Park
The BBC reports
Huge crowds are expected to scramble up Australia’s Uluru on Friday before a ban on the climb takes effect.
The giant monolith – formerly known as Ayers Rock – will be permanently off limits to visitors from Saturday.
Uluru is sacred to its indigenous custodians, the Anangu people, who have long implored tourists not to climb.
Read article and see photos at Uluru climbing ban: Tourists to scale sacred rock for final time – BBC News
Posted in Park | Tags: Ayers Rock, Uluru
The Center for American Progress reports
To safeguard the clean air, clean drinking water, and food chains that support all life on Earth, scientists recommend protecting at least 30 percent of all lands and oceans by 2030 and, eventually, conserving at least half the planet in a natural condition.1 By pursuing these ambitious but achievable conservation goals, humanity can still prevent the majority of animals and plants from going extinct.
Read more at The Green Squeeze – Center for American Progress
Posted in Environment | Tags: Preservation of Green Space
Fall Colors in Mono County – Mono County Tourism
October 23, 2019: Peak to past peak will be the theme in Mono County over the next several days. Lots of color to still be found with the majority of destinations rapidly approaching past peak.
Crowley Lake, Lower Lee Vining Canyon, Lower Rock Creek from US 395 to Paradise and Antelope Valley are the only four locations that fall into the 75-100% GO NOW category. These late achiever destinations will be vibrant for the next 7-10 days with Antelope Valley and the towns of Walker, Coleville and Topaz having the only shot to make it into November.
The June Lake Loop, Twin Lakes Bridgeport, Lundy Canyon, and Convict Lake are all mostly past peak with groves of vibrant color that might be gone by Monday. We would put all these locations at 100% with the weekend being the last opportunity to find a few peaking trees.
Unfortunately all good things must come to an end. Next week will be our last report of the season. Enjoy the last few remnants of fall in the Eastern Sierra!
WALKER / COLEVILLE / TOPAZ
Monitor Pass (8,314′) – past peak
West Walker River, Walker, Coleville and Topaz (5,200′) – 75-100% Go Now!– Mostly past peak along the West Walker River. The best peak colors will be found in Antelope Valley and the towns of Walker, Coleville and Topaz. Mill Canyon Road was still hanging on as of today but should be past peak by the weekend.
Sonora Pass (9,623′) – past peak.
BRIDGEPORT / VIRGINIA LAKES
Twin Lakes (7,000′) – 100% – Vibrant color here over the weekend with sections of past peak along Robinson Creek and around the lake.
Virginia Lakes (9,819’) – Past Peak.
Conway Summit (8,143) – past peak
Summers Meadow (7,200′) – Past peak
LEE VINING
Tioga Pass (9,943′) – past peak.
Lee Vining Canyon (6,781′) – 75-100% GO NOW! – The best color can be found closer to Lee Vining, around the town and down into Mono Lake.
Lundy Lake & Canyon (7,858′) – 100% – Mostly past peak with the best color in the campground and closer to US 395.
BENTON & 120 EAST
Sagehen Summit (8,139’) – Past peak.
JUNE LAKE LOOP
June Lake Loop/Hwy 158 (7,654′) – 100% Mostly past peak at Gull Lake and Silver Lake but still a lot of vibrant color around Grant Lake. Worth the drive over the next few days but could be gone by Monday.
MAMMOTH LAKES
Follow Visit Mammoth on Instagram and Facebook for more!
Mammoth Lakes Basin (8,996′) – Past Peak
CROWLEY LAKE/McGEE CREEK/CONVICT LAKE
McGee Creek Canyon (8,600’) – past peak
Around Crowley community (6,781′) – 75-100% GO NOW! Great color around the community and Toms Place right now!
Convict Lake (7850′) – 100% – Mostly past peak but decent color in sections around the lake and in the campground.
ROCK CREEK CANYON
Rock Creek Road (9,600’) – 75-100% GO NOW! Upper Rock Creek road from Tom’s Place is completely past peak. Take the Lower Rock Creek Road from US 395 down to Paradise for the last remaining color in the region.
The New York Times reports
The Trump administration on Tuesday moved to weaken protections for a threatened California fish, a change that would allow large amounts of water to be diverted from the San Francisco Bay Delta to irrigate arid farmland and could harm the region’s fragile ecosystem.
Read full story at Trump Administration Moves to Lift Protections for Fish and Divert Water to Farms – The New York Times
Posted in Animals, Environment | Tags: Sacramento River Delta
City Lab writes
Americans often hit the road to see fall foliage, but it can be difficult to take the same trip without a car. These places make it a little easier.
Read article at How to See Fall Colors Without a Car – CityLab
Posted in Fall Foliage | Tags: Autumn Color, Autumn Foliage, Autumn leaf color, Fall Color, Fall Foliage
The New York Times reports on Exxon Mobil suppressing information on climate change
The New York attorney general’s office will take its case against Exxon Mobil to trial on Tuesday, arguing that one of the world’s largest oil and gas companies misled its shareholders and the public by misrepresenting the risks that climate change poses to the value of its oil and gas assets.
Read article at Did Exxon Deceive Its Investors on Climate Change? – The New York Times
Posted in Environment | Tags: Climate change, Exxon Mobile
The San Francisco Chronicle reports
It’s been a one-of-a-kind year in the Eastern Sierra for fall colors. In California, the peak fall color season usually starts at the highest elevations and then descends about 500 feet a week. For some reason, this year peak conditions in the Sierras have not stuck to this schedule.
In the past month throughout the mountains, one grove of trees can be at peak colors while another is just turning.
Read full article at Who needs the East Coast? Fall foliage in the Sierra looks insanely beautiful – SFGate
The San Francisco Chronicle reports on five places to see fall color in the Bay Area. They are:
Read full article and learn more at 5 places to actually experience fall (and its colors) in the Bay Area | Datebook
NPR reports
When California’s historic five-year drought finally relented a few years ago the tally of dead trees in the Sierra Nevada was higher than almost anyone expected: 129 million. Most are still standing, the dry patches dotting the mountainsides.
But some trees did survive the test of heat and drought. Now, scientists are racing to collect them, and other species around the globe, in the hope that these “climate survivors” have a natural advantage that will allow them to better cope with a warming world.
Read more at California scientists hope to breed climate resilient trees. : NPR
Posted in Environment | Tags: Climate Resilient Trees
EarthJustice News Release
The Trump administration today announced plans to gut long-standing protections against logging and road-building in the Tongass National Forest, a cherished old-growth temperate rainforest in Southeast Alaska and homelands of the Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian people. A coalition that includes Alaska Native people and Alaska-based and national organizations opposes the U.S. Forest Service plan, which comes weeks after revelations that President Trump exerted pressure to allow new clear-cuts in the Tongass.
Posted in Environment | Tags: Clearcutting, Tongass National Forest
Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie
The leaves of the burr oaks trees at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie are now starting to change colors, as the prairie grasses being to dry and turn to their characteristic shades of golden brown.
This week, fall colors are starting to explode! Joining the tulip poplars and sassafras in changing colors are the maples with their brilliant yellows and reds. A hike or drive on the Hoosier National Forest one would see a roughly 50/50 mix of fall colors and still green. We are still a couple of weeks away from full fall colors but it’s no reason not to visit. The forecast for the week shows clear skies with high temperatures in the 60s to low 70s making for perfect recreation weather. Some leaves are already fallen for that perfect crunch underfoot as you hike.
Colorful peak foliage will be found in all upstate regions of New York State this weekend, according to volunteer observers from the Empire State Development Division of Tourism’s I LOVE NY program. Color remains low across most of Long Island and in New York City.
Read full report and see map at New York Fall Foliage Report | Experience Peak Fall Colors in NY
Fall Colors in Mono County – Mono County Tourism
October 16, 2019: This is the moment we’ve been waiting for leaf-peepers! Fall Colors are at their peak at most of your favorite Mono County destinations. The West Walker River, Monitor Pass, Twin Lakes Bridgeport, Conway Summit, Lee Vining Canyon, Summers Meadow, Lundy Canyon, June Lake Loop, McGee Canyon, Convict Lake and Lower Rock Creek Road are all bursting with color right now. Come this week to guarantee a glimpse of fall brilliance before it’s too late!
Crowley Lake and Antelope Valley are the only two locations that are still a bit green but are both worth the trip this weekend. Lobdell Lake, Sonora Pass, Tioga Pass, Virginia Lakes, Sagehen Summit and the Mammoth Lakes Basin are now past peak.
We will still have fall color in select areas for the remainder of October but the next 7 days will be the grand finale for many of these locations. Happy leaf-peeping!
WALKER / COLEVILLE / TOPAZ
Monitor Pass (8,314′) – 75-100% GO NOW! peaking everywhere along the highway and at the summit!
Lobdell Lake Road (8,600′) – Past Peak. You’ll still find a few groves with color but stripped in most areas.
West Walker River, Walker, Coleville and Topaz (5,200′) – 50-75% Go Now!– The West Walker River was at full peak last night. The cottonwoods of Antelope Valley are just starting to change. Better color can be found on Eastside Lane and up Mill Canyon. Little Walker River Road and Molybdenite Canyon are past peak.
Sonora Pass (9,623′) – past peak.
