San Diego Union-Tribune (Sunday)
Time to plan trip to seek out some color
It was hard to imagine the beauty could be any more intense until it began to rain.
Suddenly, the brilliant yellow leaves of autumn aspens were decorated with glistening drops of rain like tiny diamonds on a jeweled pendant.
Walking through the forest under the soft glow of autumn leaves, the snap of twigs was replaced with the patter of raindrops and footsteps were now muted by the dampness. The hush allowed the sound of a nearby freestone creek to echo louder in the forest stillness.
As you read this, I will be preparing for my annual visit to my happy place.
California’s Eastern Sierra is magnetic for many reasons. Majestic mountains await energetic climbers, clear wilderness lakes are filled with wild trout, and the inner canyons are sanctuaries of silence and solitude.
But fall is a special time when the environment loudly announces the coming of winter. Trees take on spectacular hues of yellow, red and orange, animals become more active as they feed aggressively, and even fish take on brilliant spawning colors as seasons change.
One downside might be the bears who are bulking up for winter and will do just about anything to get to your food or the trout you’ve caught.
I’ve often shared stories of this beauty with readers, but usually after the annual fall show.
This year, I am writing early so there is time to plan on a visit to the color canyons of the High Sierra. It’s not that far, about 300 to 400 miles, depending on where you plan to visit.
Aspens have already started to turn color, but the process begins first at the highest levels and gradually f lows down to lower elevations. Peak color is generally between October 15 and 20, but sheltered pockets may still have color into late October.
Lodging may be challenging, so plan now. Campgrounds will be open, but it will be cold in the high country, and snow is not uncommon in the first few weeks of October.
It’s a trip that anyone who loves the beauty of nature should make. It’s not the same as the miles of brilliant colors found in America’s Northeast, but the color of Sierra fall will still take your breath away, especially combined with the backdrop of jagged mountains pushing to 12,000 feet and more.
From Bishop to Bridgeport there are canyons holding groves of aspens, scenic lakes and f lowing streams that offer stunning beauty and endless photographic opportunity.
Some areas, like Bishop Creek Basin, Rock Creek Canyon, Mammoth Lakes, June Lake Loop, Lee Vining, Lundy Canyon, Virginia Lakes and the Bridgeport area are easily accessed by passenger cars.
There are also trailheads in many of those canyons and endless backroads that will take the more adventurous to groves of color visited by very few.
Hikers will have even more options, wandering through glowing stands of trees and along meandering pathways covered with a golden carpet of leaves that have fluttered to the ground.
To monitor current fall color conditions, visit californiafallcolor.com for a weekly, statewide report. The Bishop Chamber of Commerce also offers current fall color information at bishopvisitor.com.
For those who can’t visit the Eastern Sierra this fall, there are local opportunities to enjoy the seasonal show right here at home.
Black oaks in local mountains and groves of backcountry cottonwood trees also take on fall hues later in October or into November.
Palomar Mountain and Cuyamaca Rancho State parks as well as areas around Julian and the Laguna Mountains have black oaks and hiking trails to enjoy the seasonal show.
Thick groves of cottonwoods are common in backcountry streambeds and make a late fall drive along state Route 79 through Warner Springs more colorful.
Wherever you find fall color, the experience can be profound. There is something about this changing of the seasons that touches deeply into the soul.