Big-leaf maple along the Merced River in Yosemite Valley (from late October a few years ago)
We had a great weekend with Sierra Art Trails. Sales were good, but it was especially nice to meet many online friends in person, and to renew old acquaintances. Thanks to all of you who stopped by!
I had a chance to check out the fall color in Yosemite Valley yesterday afternoon. Some of the maples and dogwoods are starting to turn, but I didn’t see a single tree that had fully changed. All the maples and dogwoods had at least some green leaves, and most were entirely green. At this point it looks like the autumn color in the Valley will peak near the end of October or beginning of November—the normal time.
Over on the eastern side of the Sierra the higher-elevation aspens started turning early this year, and are now mostly past peak. But recent reports I’ve heard indicate that the mid- to lower-elevation aspens are changing more slowly. They seem to be on a typical schedule, which means there should still be good color over on the eastside for another couple of weeks.
There’s a chance of rain and higher-elevation snow in the forecast for the next two days. The predictions don’t call for high winds, which is good news—strong winds could strip some of the yellow leaves off the trees. If Tioga Pass stays open I’m planning to head over to the eastern Sierra on Friday, so I can give you a first-hand report on the eastside color, and the effect of this weather system—if any.
—Michael Frye
Michael Frye is a professional photographer specializing in landscapes and nature. He is the author and photographer of The Photographer’s Guide to Yosemite, Yosemite Meditations, and Digital Landscape Photography: In the Footsteps of Ansel Adams and the Great Masters, plus the eBooks Light & Land: Landscapes in the Digital Darkroom, and Exposure for Outdoor Photography. He has written numerous magazine articles on the art and technique of photography, and his images have been published in over thirty countries around the world. Michael has lived either in or near Yosemite National Park since 1983, currently residing just outside the park in Mariposa, California.
Great news. We have our reservations for the last days of October and the first days of November. Hopefully it will not be like last year where the cottonwood and some other trees just turned brown and dropped their leaves w/o any color display. Odd event from what I have been told.
Aram
Well that makes at least two of us that are hoping for good fall colors in the valley around the end of the month. 🙂
hi michael
i enjoy getting your newsletter.
i wanted to mention that i seem to be getting double copies sent to me –not a problem for me, really – some are sent the same minute, some are 15 minutes apart.
i am only mentioning it in case it is pointing to some other tics in your system you might be unaware of…
i love seeing those eastern sierra scenes, as i have not been over there for awhile and miss it… i am stuck in ugly ol’ sonoma county!
marke
Marke, sorry about that glitch. Because I consolidated my blog and email lists recently you’re on the list twice, so that’s why you’re getting two emails of each post. If you click the unsubscribe link at the bottom of one of the emails (either one) that will take care of the problem.
I love the eastern Sierra too – but Sonoma is pretty nice as well. 🙂
your websitee is v interesting. Pl tell me whether we should visit the yosemite prk this weekend 10/19-10/20 or the weekend after that . From point of view of colors and scenic beauty, which will be a better time to go.
We have come to Irvine from NJ and and will be driving from there. We have just two days- saturday and sunday to drive up there and come back. . I will appreciate if you tell us what drives to take and places to stop over.
Thanks for your help.
The fall color in Yosemite Valley will probably be better next weekend (October 25-26). Otherwise there should be little difference. I hope you enjoy your visit!