Autumn color continues to descend in elevation throughout California. High elevation areas (above 5,000 ft) are now past peak, while mid elevation areas (1,000 to 4,000 ft) are peaking or approaching peak. Low elevations (below 1,000 ft in elevation) are showing fall color, which could continue into December. Here's the latest report.
Shasta Cascade:
From the vast Shasta Cascade region of northeast California, color spotter Katie Shaw reports,
Butte County:
30-50%- Butte County- It’s going to be a late, but spectacular fall for Butte County. Reds and oranges are really beginning to POP, but the colors are in no hurry to leave. There are still quite a bit of greenery around, so head to Butte County if you are looking to enjoy the fall transition.
Shasta County:
50-75% - Whiskeytown National Recreation Area- Autumn is in no hurry this year at the Whiskeytown National Recreation Area. A beautiful place to see fall colors in the park is along the J F Kennedy Memorial drive with a few Oaks turning all shades of red, yellow, and gold. Expect the park to only get more beautiful as the month progresses.
75-100%- Burney Falls State Park- Autumn has arrived at Burney Falls State Park with the entire park coated in color from the ground up! Green colors are next to gone with great yellows and browns taking center stage. Pine needles are covering the floor and providing a great carpet of color to present the rest of the park’s foliage.
Tehama County:
Past Peak - Lassen Volcanic National Park- Winter has arrived at the Park and after about a foot of snow, most of the fall colors have become dormant.
Lassen County:
75 – 100 %- Bizz Johnson Trail- Though past its color peak, the trail still has a lot to offer in terms of fall color. The Cottonwoods and Oak trees are full of soft yellows and oranges, so whether you choose to bike, hike, or ride your horse, make sure to check out this display of autumn color.
Siskiyou County:
75 - 100%- Mt. Shasta- Mt. Shasta this week will be experiencing its peak in fall color. There are some trees that are beginning to lose leaves but in general, the broadleaf trees and plants are holding strong and being very persistent to hold onto their color. Expect to see an assortment of yellows, reds, golds and browns on everything from the thimbleberries that line the forest floor to the tips of the oaks, maples, and dogwoods.
Trinity County:
75-100%- Weaverville- Fall is peaking in Trinity County. For the most abundant color, we recommend sticking along the river and near the creek beds. The Oak and Maple trees are sporting excellent coats of yellows and oranges, and the shrubbery by the river is displaying some other beautiful golden shades. There is still time to check out these fall colors.
Plumas County:
Past Peak - Plumas County - The County is past its peak in the higher elevations, but there are still some colors to be seen in the lower elevations, especially in the Feather River Canyon Area. The Oaks and Aspens are still holding onto their color, but even they are not expected to last much longer. Enjoy the colors while you can because the forest is beginning to shift into her winter wardrobe.
Modoc County:
Past Peak - Modoc County- Due to the cold conditions, most of the fall colors have retreated until next year, but there still may be some color and leaves left on in the lower elevations for the avid explorer.
San Francisco Bay Area:
15 - 30% - Santa Clara Valley - Jyoti Suravarjala reports from Silicon Valley that sweet gum and California ash are coloring up in the South San Francisco Bay Area.
Los Angeles County:
15 - 30% - Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden - Frank McDonough reports that pin oak and Chinese pistach are colored orange brown and auburn in the County Arboretum.
High Sierra
Past Peak – Yosemite Valley – Photographer Michael Frye reports from his blog, “The next question is… what did the storms do to the fall color? While the rain and snow Thursday night knocked some leaves down, things were still in pretty good shape on Friday. But it got colder Friday night, and then there was another storm, and more cold temperatures Sunday night and last night. I spoke with Ansel Adams Gallery staff photographers Evan and Kirk, and it seems that the trees that were already turning, particularly the big-leaf maples in many spots, lost most of their leaves. There’s still some good color around Fern Spring, and Valley View, and some oaks and dogwoods in the eastern end of the Valley are still partially green. It’s been a long, slow-changing autumn in Yosemite, with no real peak. The best color is probably over, but some spots could have good color for awhile longer.”
In our experience, some of the loveliest color can be found with the first snowfall on the last fall color. Black oak can be covered with snow or frost, well into early winter for moody photographs, so consider visiting Yosemite in November to capture these kinds of photographs and for the special solitude that occurs during this quiet time in the national park.
