Pacific Southwest Region
1323 Club Drive
Vallejo, CA 94592
707.562.8737
TTY: 707.562.9240
FAX: 707.562.9130
Pacific Southwest Region
1323 Club Drive
Vallejo, CA 94592
707.562.8737
TTY: 707.562.9240
FAX: 707.562.9130
Join us and enjoy the illuminating fall colors throughout the National Forests in the Pacific Southwest Region. Our 18 National Forests in California stretch from the Mexican border to Oregon and offer a variety of landscape and plant types framing an awesome array of fall color. Take time out and enjoy the fall color of your national forests.
Just as a reminder, fall colors start in the higher elevations and move down to the lower elevations by late October and early November.
The Eldorado National Forest, located in the central Sierra Nevada, reports that most of the leaves at the higher elevations have gone from yellow to brown with little flashes in between. There is still some fall color at the Carson Pass area along Highway 88. In Hope Valley many of the trees are still green or have turned yellow. In some instances leaves have already fallen off the trees. At the lower elevations the oak trees are showing some change of color.
The Inyo National Forester, in the Eastern Sierra, reports that over the past two weeks the north end of the Forest has experienced cold temperatures, light snowfall, and moderate winds. Leaves at higher elevations have fallen from the trees ending the fall color season above 8500 feet. In the 7500 to 8500 foot elevations, some trees were still green during the cold weather spell and many of these leaves browned as a result. Some leaves endured the cold and the trees in this elevation range are showing spotty color. Below 7500 feet, we are seeing a late fall resurgence in color! Locations such as Lundy Canyon and the June Lake Loop are showing a final burst of color. In general, we are in the final weeks of fall color and the brightest hues are found in isolated microclimates in the lower elevations.
Around Mammoth Lakes the higher elevations are all past peak, but lower elevations drainages are just starting to turn. The Town of Mammoth Lakes is reporting nice yellow color with some orange, probably at their peak right now .
Convict Lake is reportedly very beautiful, providing a wonderful fall experience as you walk around the lake.
Rock Creek, Bishop Creek, Big Pine Creek and other Eastern Sierra canyons to the south have all peaked in the higher elevations, and the leaves are now either brown/black or gone. The very cold temperatures and early winter storms earlier this month definitely took their toll. Many of the colors at mid-elevations, around 7500 feet, are now at their peak, and this is probably the best bet for beautiful fall color viewing and scenery this weekend. Most of the trees have taken on more of a light yellow and golden hue — the vibrant reds and oranges seems to be missing this year.
Lower elevation trees are now turning but are not quite at peak yet. Owens Valley trees should be at their peak in the next two weeks. The valley trees are in their initial process of changing colors and we expect a beautiful show along the lower creeks and drainages in addition to the cityscape trees in and around Bishop.
The weather is wonderful right now, and is just perfect for some great drives and hikes to fully experience the Eastern Sierra Fall.
It's PEAK fall foliage in Plumas County! A few of the best locations for viewing fall color in Plumas County are: Butterfly Valley, Granite Basin (Coldwater Creek), Bucks Summit Rd, West side of Lake Davis, La Porte Road (Onion Valley), Hwy 89 to Truckee and Schneider Creek (Dogwood) UC Davis Forestry Camp.
For more information about fall color in the Plumas County area, please visit the Plumas County Fall Color website http://plumascounty.org/Awesome_Autumn/Leaf%20peeper%20reports.htm.
Want up-to-date information for this season?
The Forest Service Fall Color hotline is up and running! This hotline provides national forest visitors with weekly updates on fall foliage color changes and fall activities throughout the nation. Call our fall color hotline at 1-800-354-4595.
Please stay tuned for more updates on the best places to view fall colors in the Pacific Southwest Region of the U.S. Forest Service. To find more information about the best locations for viewing fall color in the other Regions of the Forest Service, please call the toll–free fall color hotline at (800) 354-4595 or visit the Forest Service Fall Color webpage at: www.fs.fed.us/ news/fallcolors