Fall Foliage Reports, Locations, Photography

I have done my annual update of the fall color section of Natural History Wanderings. I have included links to fall foliage locations and reports through out the U.S. I will also post fall foliage reports asI become aware of them.

If you have any corrections or additions they are most welcome.

The main link is:
Fall Foliage

The subsections are:

Colorado Fall Foliage

California Fall Foliage

Nationwide Fall Foliage

Canadian Fall Foliage

Fall Foliage Articles

Phototips for Fall Foliage

Thanks Sandy, always a great collection of links! I'm ready for Fall!

Thanks Sandy. I made this a sticky for future convenience
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Thanks for the resource! I'll definitely be checking out the links for various spots along my October road-trip (~6200 miles of outdoor / camping / fall foliage splendor!)

My family was up above Fairview Utah over Labor day weekend. I was amazed at how many of the maples had already turned. There was LOTS of red and orange - entire hillsides. This was mainly on the way up to the Skyline drive.

Nathan

I was just up in Glacier last week and it was amazing how fast th leaves changed just over the space of a few days:
http://www.stanroseimages.com/photo/mapleleaves/

Leaves are starting to change in Buena vista and around twin lakes. I was surprised by the number of tree that were about to change or had already changed. Should be an early season. Anyone been around Ouray or Ridgway?

Give me a week + 1 day and I should be there with reports.

Drove over I-70 last evening. Isolated patches starting to turn in high elevations. Some spots with brilliant orange/reds. Aspens look healthy with lots of edges just starting to turn yellow.

Hw9 north of Silverthorne to Green a Reservoir will peak in one week. I think that area can be counted on every year to peak in week 3.

Drove Aspen--Twin Lakes--Buena Vista-- Fairplay--Bailey this morining. Small patches coloring up, but not more than 5%. Undergrowth above Aspen colored up nice. I'd call the 1 week away predictions above accurate. Most trees look healthy with large leaves. No pics, but a nice early morning drive...now Bronco time!!

I was hiking in the Sangres yesterday (west side) The leaves down low are pretty healthy and 10-20% changed--up high it's closer to 30-40% but there were a lot of dead aspen thanks to tent caterpillars

Drove over Weston Pass today. Not 100%, but will be in next 7-10 days. There are many isolated spots, some easily accessible from the road that are in full color, so worth a trip this weekend and then again next weekend.

I dont know if there are any existing white peaks - but following snowforecast.com, the next week looks dry and warm with maybe a few tropical moisture moments. Further out, this caught my attention - "The last few days of September into early October may deliver a chilly Gulf of Alaska storm system with snow at the higher Colorado resort elevations."

Well, it's happening on the Buffalo Pass road at about 8,500 ft. here in NW Colorado. This was yesterday afternoon and the mountain ash are very vibrant and a few stands of aspen have already fully turned to gold. Lower down it's still very green but starting to turn. I've been watching it every day and just the last few days it seems to have accelerated.

This aspen clone in the middle is always first to turn but it's surrounded by lots of green below.

Rocky Mtn National Park - Bear Lake area is at peak. Aspens that are visible from the Bear Lake Road are 30-60 % depending on the stand of trees.

I dont know if there are any existing white peaks - but following snowforecast.com, the next week looks dry and warm with maybe a few tropical moisture moments. Further out, this caught my attention - "The last few days of September into early October may deliver a chilly Gulf of Alaska storm system with snow at the higher Colorado resort elevations."

Im feeling better about the chances for a storm Sept 27-28 or thereabouts. ECMWF is starting to get more on board with that idea, but its not as cold or strong as the GFS. Hopefully it will come fast and cold, cause i don't have any time off from work!

For what it's worth, my sense from the last few days of chasing the color here in NW Colorado is that the colors are coming on really fast---but in pockets and areas---not forests overall, the aspens are healthy, and the undergrowth is substantial and brilliant.

On the way back to Denver from Aspen yesterday I was able to get a few grab shots at Twin Lakes. Had an unusual calm day and some nice reflections in the lake.

The aspens on the east side of Independence Pass are near peak, the only green is down low by the lake, most everything else is yellow. The Aspen side is still 90% green except at the highest elevations where they are mostly yellow.

Between Leadville and Copper Mountain the aspens are also peaking with most everything already yellow.

Starting my Fall Report in the Durango Mountain Ski / Purgatory / Cascade Village area - where I covered a few areas from Rockwood up to Engineer Mountain. There are a few Aspen stands that are bright yellow. The trees along Hermosa Cliffs had an interesting gradient effect with green at the bottom and yellow on top. Notable orange areas. I would call it 15% at the moment, maybe another 10% in minimal transition.

Rain and clouds dominated the last 48 hours. I came in late Saturday night in the middle of a strong storm cel that was flash flooding parts of 550. Sunday was dominated by clouds. Really it was a miserable shooting day down here. But I got some gear straightened out (I am renting an A7R along with my 5DmarkIII). Monday is Red Mountain Pass and then the ride to Aspen where I will be until Friday; then to the front range and back across the state next week. Oh, its raining and thundering again at 12:00 am !

Red Mountain looks to be Peak. Starting to see some leaves fall this afternoon
Silverton also very yellow. Peak in a day or two? Lots of yellow at Molas Pass and spots at Coal Bank
Now in Ridgway. From a quick look fall is only just starting to hit here. Some pix later when I get to Aspen tonight

Ridgway. I checked the Owl Creek Pass direction and traveled a mile or two down CR-7. Little color. Just a few small stands high up in both directions. Here is a handheld image, minimal post, to the east. Photo taken the afternoon of 9/22.

US 285 from just north of Kenosha Pass and almost all the way to Fairplay is looking really good right now. Kenosha Pass itself is at about 80% and I expect it to be at peak this weekend. I plan on going up there again this weekend.

Has anyone been south around Highway 12 (Cuchara Pass)? I'm hoping to be there towards the end of next week.

Red Mountain / Ironton was putting on a good show of yellows and oranges. Some green mixed in, but with leaves already beginning to fall, this had to be the peak. The 9/22 morning began with rain. By the afternoon skies began to clear. Here is a quick minimal post image.

From 9/23 -
Aspen - Twin Lakes - Buena Vista - Crested Butte - Kebler Pass - McClure Pass.

Twin Lakes - Still ok, did not see many fallen leaves, it was a very cloudy morning with occasional openings for sunlight.
Collegiates - Bright yellows in those key areas. Some reds.
Cottonwood Lake - Peak. Big stand of red at the far end.
Cottonwood Pass - Nice and rustic. Good Aspens all the way up to the clearing.
Crested Butte - Looked really good to me. Lots of color.
Kebler Pass - East Side is near Peak... Great views.
Kebler Pass - West Side has a few days to go, maybe 40% color now.
McClure Pass - Also around 40-50%, though the top trees were in great shop.
Marble - did not seem that far along viewing from the pass.

Karl, when are you going back to Ridgway? I should be there on day or Tuesday...not hearing much about color down there yet. I plan to be at Capitol Peak Sunday for sunset with some friends.

Karl, when are you going back to Ridgway? I should be there on day or Tuesday...not hearing much about color down there yet. I plan to be at Capitol Peak Sunday for sunset with some friends.

Jack - I stopped for lunch in Ridgesy on 9/22 Monday. I only spotted a few yellow stands, mostly high. This will not be early,

Today I plan to do Castle Creek; scout Maroon Bells; and later hit Capital Peak. I'll be back in Ridgway around 10/1.

Last weekend (9/20 - 9/21), I was in the Independence Pass, Maroon Bells area (ran into Stan Rose, had a great convo as we both headed back to our vehicles) and across Hagerman Pass from Basalt to Leadville.

> Independence Pass (East side): Deep gold and some reds already

> Aspen: Green'ish yellow, some gold higher up

> Maroon Bells area: Still 'some' green, but a fair amount of gold and a little red. NOTE: lower loop of Maroon Bells is closed for Moose in the area

> Hagerman Pass: Vibrant yellow, gold, red...

Seems like colors are a week ahead of normal in CO.

Forgot to include a shot of the 'bells. :)

Here's a snapshot from Red Mountain Pass today. I'd say about 75% turned, approaching peak soon. Keep in mind that Red Mtn Pass is always at least a week or two ahead of most of the other areas around Ouray/Ridgway.

There were some requests for Capital Peak report today. Here is a cropped image of Capital Peak from 9/24 afternoon shortly after we arrived at the upper trailhead.

Also did Castle Creek today. Pretty optimal; there were some past-peak in spots.

Heading to Kebler Pass / McClure Pass in the afternoon. May get to Crystal Mill tomorrow. No idea about the morning.

Karl,

Saturday, four of us are headed to all the destinations you've covered and are going to cover and it's like having an advance scouting party paving the way. Thanks for all the updates; very informative and much appreciated.

Doug Beezley
Snellville, GA

Thanks Doug,

I am heading to the front range Friday night for a wedding in Larkspur Saturday night. Take good care of the area :)

Probably shoot GotG Saturday morning. With the winter storm moving in (looking more and more like a snow event), I may get back in the area Sunday afternoon instead of chase a Cumbres and Toltec freight special (paid the chase fee). If your group is in the area into the next week, drop me an email and lets get together. I plan to make my way to Ridgway after that as we get through the week. Hearing another storm on Wednesday.

I drove the road from Meeker to Yampa over the Flat Tops yesterday. The Ripple Creek Pass south side still has lots of green but patches of nice gold and some orange and red as shown here. Ripple Creek Pass to Pyramid about 50% changed and south side of Dunkley Pass mostly still green. Nonetheless, some areas have really good color.

Karl,

Thanks for the reports of the areas. Did you by chance go through Ohio Creek road while in Crested Butte area? Thinking of going through there from Gunnison on way to Kebler Pass in the morning.

Thanks,

Tim

From 9/25

Drove back to Kebler Pass.
- Not much change on the west slopes; still fairly green with spots of yellow.
- The vista road near Marcellina Mountain had a good base of yellow.
- The top of the pass / tree drive was beautiful.
- Lost Lake Slough looked about peak.
- Horse Park was ok. Nothing remarkable.

Photo attached of Chair Mountain from a McClure Pass pull-over 9/25, no adjustments, mid-day sun (boo!) (edit, take that back, it was cropped)

Scott Bideau, on the road, reported through me - "the east side of Flat Tops is looking VERY good right now:"

Photo from Scott attached.

Tim - I did not get a chance to travel Ohio Pass. I can say the whole area from Crested Butte to Kebler Pass is looking very prime right now. Not sure if that translates but personally I think this is the time.

General observations from the San Juans (Red Mountain/Ironton) and the Central Mountains (Aspen/CB) - I am seeing lots of varied colors - greens, yellows, oranges, and some reds. Nothing so far has been a carpet of one color. While some rain earlier this week, the temps have been very pleasant and at best a light breeze. That may be allowing each Aspen stand to do its thing without the mess we had last year.

That all said, the weather is changing with the Alaskan storms now taking over. I thought about that as I enjoyed a pleasant lunch on the Village Smithy outdoor patio with a friend - by next week the covers could be pulled down and the lawn white. Forecasts of the storm this weekend now show a snow event with temps in the 20's by Monday night in key places like Maroon Bells.

I'll be in Centennial / Larkspur / Colorado Springs this weekend for a wedding. Everyone have a great shooting weekend! Back on the trails Sunday afternoon.

I went over Ohio Pass and it is ~60% turned with a lot of leaves already fallen. The East side of Kebler Pass is ~90% while the west side is ~10-20%. Drove Cimeron to Ridgeway. Pretty interesting drive. Parts are ~20 while others 40%. One curve is all green and the next is vibrant with colors close to 70% along the road. Owl Creek pass is maybe 10-20%. Vista Point is 5%. Red mountain is at peak with a lot of colors. Dallas Divide has a view aspens turned but I would call it mainly green. Even the scrub oak is green. Drove down last dollar to the first ranch and through the tree's maybe 60% but all green towards Mt Sneffels. Some folks from Cali said Telluride is close to being like Red Mountain as far as colors but maybe 80%. Going to Telluride tomorrow to check it out. I would post some pics but forgot power cord.

I went over Ohio Pass and it is ~60% turned with a lot of leaves already fallen. The East side of Kebler Pass is ~90% while the west side is ~10-20%. Drove Cimeron to Ridgeway. Pretty interesting drive. Parts are ~20 while others 40%. One curve is all green and the next is vibrant with colors close to 70% along the road. Owl Creek pass is maybe 10-20%. Vista Point is 5%. Red mountain is at peak with a lot of colors. Dallas Divide has a view aspens turned but I would call it mainly green. Even the scrub oak is green. Drove down last dollar to the first ranch and through the tree's maybe 60% but all green towards Mt Sneffels. Some folks from Cali said Telluride is close to being like Red Mountain as far as colors but maybe 80%. Going to Telluride tomorrow to check it out. I would post some pics but forgot power cord.

Confirming for the most part what Tim had mentioned regarding Horse Park Ranch area (attached phone shot) and Ohio Pass. I would now put Ohio Pass in the 75% range of turned color. Horse Ranch Park may now be inching up toward 30 % change. Report as of 9-28.

Snow Event evening of 9/28-9/29

Maroon Bells and other Colorado Peaks got a good layer of snow last night. While Maroon Bells is past peak as evidenced by the central gray stands, it is good to see the white peaks. I understand second-hand that the San Juans are also white, with more snow in the forecast.

This is a quick grab of my Maroon Bells shots this morning with some coarse field post to moderate the levels.

The San Juans are definitely white. I am in Ridgway right now. I can't see the peaks right now, it has been raining pretty good but I could see them when I was in Montrose earlier. From what I could see of the color earlier it looks like the top third of the aspen are good with green on the bottom two thirds.

It has been nothing but rain in Aspen today; the snow level is easily visible on the slopes from downtown. I hear from others that about everything above 10K is getting snow, including Kebler and Ohio (hat tip- DB). Looking at the current sat loop - wow what a storm!

Drove to the end of Castle Creek tonight. Star-Taylor-Greg Mace peaks basin all a winter wonderland; but from the Cathedral trailhead on back its gray stands and what is left is barely hanging on. Took some mood shots. When I left at 7 pm it was 34 degrees and light snow at 9400' feet. 37 degrees near the bottom. Good trees on Castle Creek up to midway this afternoon; lets see if the temp drops into a freeze.

A report from another guest in my lodge - Independence Pass had 3" snow.

Great posts, Karl and others.

Crested Butte Area

Rained most of the day (Monday) in CB area with very heavy rain mid-afternoon in CB. Snow came down in town and much heavier at higher elevations. At 5 pm snow was falling at a rate of about 2" an hour in Horse Park area and temps had dropped to 30 degrees. Gothic Mt and all peaks in the area are snow covered. Local Forest Service employee said they are expecting significant snow overnight on Ohio Pass.

We shot all am with very good results - still a lot of good color with a spectacular grove of all red in East River Valley on far side of the river about half way to Gothic.

Any news on Cimarron River Valley, Owl Creek Pass, Silver Jack areas?

Karl, thanks again for your updates. See you in Ouray.

Doug Beezley
Snellville, GA

Ridgway update. Best bang for the buck is the end of CR7. The aspen on the left from the big curve shot are good, with color back near the wood fence too. CR 5 is a mixed bag, but the big patch to the east side of the Sneffels range is getting there. CR9 is pretty green yet, just spotty color here and there.

Photo from McClure Pass west side looking south toward Chair Mountain. This is the most yellow aside from the summit I could afind. Trees that are yellow shedding leaves; lots of green.

Others -
Mt Sopris - Lots of yellow, may be past peak.
Marble - Looks to be nice, probably heading toward past peak.
Owl Creek Pass (near Ridgway) Lots of green but definitely some yellow stands. It was nice heading up to Katies Meadow, though the meadow is green with only touches of yellow.

I am now in the Ridgway area until Friday, maybe Saturday. Snow storms today; so heading south toward the Hermosa Cliffs.

General observation over 10 days fall travel.

Seems the west sides of major mountain ranges are slow to change this year. Kebler West, McClure West, Owl Creek Pass, so on. Could be wetter on those sides when storms go through? I am sure there are holes in that theory.

I went Ouray - Durango today.

Ironton - Red Mountain Pass was much more yellow - remarkably stable from the shedding last week though I did find spots, its still pretty wonderful. There are some freshly changing trees near the Mineral Creek trailhead.

Silverton - is done. Lots of shed stands. But go just a bit away from Silverton and good trees are available.

Molas Pass - Old yellow, but it gets better as you head into Coal Bank Pass. There I had fantastic color. Some of the first stands to change are shed, such as the one you sweep around between Molas and Coal Bank. The color goes away as you round Engineer Mountain / Purgatory.

Hermosa Cliffs - Lots of green stands, but some older yellow ones too. Not sure that area is going to develop well this year.

Overall a fun day working the light through all the clouds. It stormed at times. And the peaks - amazing snow! This was a dynamic day along the Million Dollar Highway.

Telluride/Ophir-50%
Ridgeway cr5,7,9- 30-35%

Worked Telluride area today and was happy with stands on many of the roads such as Silver Pick and Wilson Mesa Rd. Also, Falls Creek Rd was good up around Woods Lake. You have to look, but many choices even if only 40 to 50 % color.
Joe Rogers

Ouray 10/2 morning below freezing, ice on the ground. Up Mineral Creek onto Red Mountain it was in the low to mid 20's. Still beautiful, but that was a hard freeze.

Capitol Peak Trailhead -past peak color in many areas, some green still hanging on. Oak brush is green.

The inner basin of the San Francisco Peaks was nice last weekend, as seen in this photo. Lockett Meadow and the slope going up along the inner basin trail was lime green last weekend. It has yellowed a little this week and should be good this weekend. I would not expect many reds as it typically just yellows. The south side of the peaks facing Flagstaff is still green.

As a side note, most of Oak Creek Canyon above Sedona, including West Fork, has just reopened after the Slide Fire earlier this summer. The maples along West Fork generally turn mid to late October.

Heading for Kebler today and then home.. West side of Owl Creek needs about another 3-4 days, mostly green with some snow. SilverJack is about 60% greenish yellow so should be good in 2-3 days although it is changing slowly so it could even be 5 days away. It got down to 27F last night there. Ridgeway still needs time as well, although there are some good groves at peak, most are still slowly getting there. Overall, Telluride needs 3-5 days yet, but again there are some really nice spots to shoot right now. Last Dollar Road intersection near Dallas Divide is at peak. Dunton loop is really good at the top where the road intersects with the highway and about half way down the west fork of the Delores past the hot springs resort. Trout Lake near Lizard Head Pass is partially drained so not a good destination for photos. Plenty of snow above timberline though so tighter comps of just the mountains will work.

I drove the Flat Tops yesterday morning---almost a foot of snow at the Ripple Creek Pass summit and maybe half that at Dunkley Pass. The leaves survived almost totally intact---Ripple Creek Pass is near peak, Dunkley at least still half green. This is part way up Ripple Creek Pass looking west toward Burford and Meeker.

Top of Ripple Creek Pass looking toward China Wall and Trapper's Lake

The road down to Pyramid and looking toward Dunkley Pass

Question about Ridgway County Rd 5... Does anyone have any information on the large black mud bog where the new road goes off to the left before you get to the straight stretch before the Radio Dog Ranch

Woods Lake Friday Night 10/3 - Lower Aspens with color,mostly yellow though some orange/red on the west side. Trees losing leaves. Trees on slope are green with some yellow cast.

Telluride Saturday 10/4 - Last Dollar/Airport slope has some color, lots of green. South side has much more color. While there is green that could take a few more days to develop, I noticed brownish tints suggesting the freezes may be damaging. We'll see.

Charles regarding CR5 - not sure where you refer. There is a very muddy meadow deep in the trees. And about 300 yards after the hard right turn into the eroded trail, a tree was blocking the road; I ran into some locals who planned to clear that.

Thank-you all for your reports! I met Don Grall, Joshua Warrender, and Doug Beezley on the trails - good to meet you!. Two Weeks, 3100 miles. Done.

where is the dunton loop?

Robert: The Dunton loop starts on Hwy 145 about 4-5 miles south of Lizard Head Pass. You will see a small green Hwy sign that says Dunton on the west side of the hwy. This is a Forest Service gravel road that is passable with 2wd cars but is only 1 lane wide in the first few miles of switchbacks. This road passes through Dunton where the "famous" Dunton Hot Springs resort is located and continues south for about 30 miles and reconnects with Hwy 145 just south of Stoner, CO. Returning on Hwy 145 to Lizard Head Pass will complete the loop. The colors around the switchbacks were at peak on Aug 1 and 2 so will probably be losing leaves by now. The rest of the loop had occasionally peaked areas but lots of green-yellow which should now be peaking with the formerly peaked areas losing leaves at this time.

The aspens should be winding down about now but never fear! You still have maples, cottonwoods, willows, boxelders, and oaks in the canyons! So come down out of the mountains and hit the canyons.

I would imagine the east side of Zion is starting to look good with bigtooth maples about now. Another 2 weeks or so and the West Fork of Oak Creek, the Zion main canyon, and the canyons in the Guadalupe Mountains of TX will be full of color. 3 weeks and Zion Canyon and Canyon de Chelly should be peaking.

Hope you didn't use all your vacation time already!

West side of McClure is almost peak. West Kebler Pass is at peak, with a little green here and there. Hardly any leaf loss, yet. Marcelina had the most glorious alpen glow last night, but it just missed lighting up the top. Foggy clouds this morning under the moonlight.

Thanks for the information on Dunton loop. Sunday-Wednesday last week the Last Dollar Rd., Illium Rd., Telluride to Rico was great. I'd call it peak in that current tress will be loosing leaves as fast as new trees come in.

Anyone have first hand reports on Southern Utah?

County Rd. 5 above Ridgway is pretty much peak as of yesterday - the whole range looking very yellow. Some leaves still a little greenish, and some stands already bare, but mostly vast stretches of yellow. The scrub oak is looking nice and orange/red as well. Today is quite windy - it might blow a lot of those leaves down.

Nice to see those areas that were still green as late as the first weekend in October did turn yellow. Weather out in the west seems fairly stable. May bode well for Zion. I might do a quick run this weekend to Zion pending the construction delays on I-15.

Hi Jack, I recognize that light; I was just up Road 5 from you, at the same time... in the orange vanagon. Your picture is better than the ones I got. My best shots this year were under moonlight.

For me the Dallas Creek area is still about a week early. I like the oaks brown and red instead of yellow and orange, even if that means some of the aspen have lost their leaves.

The maples in West Fork of Oak Creek near Sedona are underway. Judging from images seen on Facebook (I have not hiked in yet), this coming weekend should be good for colors. Evidently, there are only a few places along the creek where this summer's Slide fire burned lightly. There has been some silting from runoff in the Subway section. The aspens on the the San Francisco Peaks are waning.

Zion Weekend 10/25-26

Explored the east side / Checkerboard Mesa region. Bushes along dry stream and iconic Cottonwoods seem just past peak - the Cottonwoods are yellow and if you work an angle they look great, but I have seen better. Some vibrant red Bigtooth Maples east of the short tunnel though you might have to do a short hike to find them. Light greens around the lower areas of the Virgin River Canyon. Second hand reports of the Virgin River canyon suggest not much color through Big Bend - but could be great next weekend. I get the sense that this may be a late season.

Zion 10/30-11/02
East side of Tunnel peak or past peak. Lots of red maples, with many trees dropping leaves
Main canyon ash near peak, cottonwoods 30% turned.
Narrows 50-60% turned.
Leaves were turning quickly Fri-Sun with noticeable changes each morning.
Things should be full of color and beauty by the end of this week!
Rain storms were moving in as we left Sun morning with some high winds predicted, so that may down some of those newly turned leaves