Fall foliage (Santa Cruz, Morgan Hill, Walnut: shop, pine, trees)

[geenah03]

Can anyone suggest wonderful places in central/northern California to see fall foliage? I like taking nature photos and capturing some of nature's fall scenery would be nice! Thanks!

[aslowdodge]

Look for June lake in the sierras. I'm going there next week

[clongirl]

The Auburn area is really beautiful this time of year.

[BayAreaHillbilly]

The Santa Cruz Mountains, now. A couple more weeks it will be over.

However, in the flat lands, I'd say peak color will be over the next couple of weeks.

[MtnSurfer]

If you take nature photos then its hard to beat the High Sierras, especially the Eastern Sierras from Lee Vining to Bishop. I was just there last weekend. If you haven't visited the eastern side yet it is a real photographer's treat. And not just for Fall Colors. You also have Mt. Whitney -the highest mtn. in the lower 48. Plus beautiful peaks and lakes all throughout. Then there is Mono Lake, the Alabama Hills, the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest in the White Mtns.





By next week it may be a bit late for the Aspens over there. Although in some areas the trees were still really green so who knows. Another good option I recommend taking a drive to Yosemite which really isn't that far away. Yosemite Valley normally peaks the end of Oct - beginning of Nov. Take a look here Yosemite Fall Colors (http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=yosemite%20fall%20colors&w=all#page=0 - broken link).

Plumas County is also noted to have good Fall Color. See Fall Foliage, Plumas County Northern California

Then there is the local stuff. The Santa Cruz Mtns. has Big Leaf Maples. Although I haven't seen them yet this year.

Derek

[BayAreaHillbilly]

Originally Posted by MtnSurfer

If you take nature photos then its hard to beat the High Sierras, especially the Eastern Sierras from Lee Vining to Bishop. I was just there last weekend. If you haven't visited the eastern side yet it is a real photographer's treat. And not just for Fall Colors. You also have Mt. Whitney -the highest mtn. in the lower 48. Plus beautiful peaks and lakes all throughout. Then there is Mono Lake, the Alabama Hills, the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest in the White Mtns.





By next week it may be a bit late for the Aspens over there. Although in some areas the trees were still really green so who knows. Another good option I recommend taking a drive to Yosemite which really isn't that far away. Yosemite Valley normally peaks the end of Oct - beginning of Nov. Take a look here Yosemite Fall Colors (http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=yosemite%20fall%20colors&w=all#page=0 - broken link).

Plumas County is also noted to have good Fall Color. See Fall Foliage, Plumas County Northern California

Then there is the local stuff. The Santa Cruz Mtns. has Big Leaf Maples. Although I haven't seen them yet this year.

Derek

Almost too late now for Big Leaf Maples, those go early. This year they were already turning in August.

Now it's on to Sycamores, Alders, Calif Walnuts, Black Oaks, etc.

[MtnSurfer]

Originally Posted by BayAreaHillbilly

Almost too late now for Big Leaf Maples, those go early. This year they were already turning in August.

Now it's on to Sycamores, Alders, Calif Walnuts, Black Oaks, etc.

Interesting... last year on this day I hiked the Fall Creek Trail in the Santa Cruz Mtns. and the leaves were still mostly green with only some which had turned color. So I would be surprised if it is already past prime now. But of course every year is a bit different. It may vary also by certain sections of the mtns. I know in the Eastern Sierras it was a very unusual year this year. Some parts which have normally turned were still still completely green like the June Lake area when I was there a week ago. But Bishop Canyon had peaked and was going past prime.

Santa Cruz Fall Creek Trail 10.13.2008:





*** Update: I just spoke with the ranger from Henry Coe SP in Morgan Hill and he said the colors are starting to turn. But he expects it to be peak in about 1-2 weeks there.

Derek

[BayAreaHillbilly]

Originally Posted by MtnSurfer

Interesting... last year on this day I hiked the Fall Creek Trail in the Santa Cruz Mtns. and the leaves were still mostly green with only some which had turned color. So I would be surprised if it is already past prime now. But of course every year is a bit different. It may vary also by certain sections of the mtns. I know in the Eastern Sierras it was a very unusual year this year. Some parts which have normally turned were still still completely green like the June Lake area when I was there a week ago. But Bishop Canyon had peaked and was going past prime.

Santa Cruz Fall Creek Trail 10.13.2008:





*** Update: I just spoke with the ranger from Henry Coe SP in Morgan Hill and he said the colors are starting to turn. But he expects it to be peak in about 1-2 weeks there.

Derek

1 - 2 weeks from now would be good at Coe. Oaks will be deep red.