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I missed the trip to Bishop, because i went to Guatemala instead. Now that i am home, i am itching to go shoot some fall color. But where in southern california can i find fall color? If anyone sees or knows of some nice areas to capture fall color let me know. Thanks...Sharon
Your best shot it to visit these two websites. You should be able to get the latest reports there.
http://www.parchersresort.net/FallColors.htm
http://www.calphoto.com/fall.htm
http://www.parchersresort.net/FallColors.htm
http://www.calphoto.com/fall.htm
From Carol Leigh's Fall Color Report...
Southern California - 10/25/08 - Todd writes: HI Carol... Thought I'd give a heads up to any Southern California people who want to do a short day trip to see some nice fall colors.
Wrightwood, (ele. 6,000 ft... pop ~5,000) in the eastern San Gabriel Mtns has about the most color you'll see anywhere in Socal. Everything is just about at peak right now with beautiful oak, cypress, cottonwoods, maples.... and a few other non-native trees (in town). Just driving around the quiet forested subdivisions in "town" can be pretty fun, albeit a little different kind of leaf peeping experience. Stop for lunch/coffee on the deck at one of the great cafe's in the village! The weather has been perfect with highs in the 60's to low 70's.
Leaving town going west up Hwy 2 towards Mtn High West Ski Resort (4 miles), the oaks all along the slopes of Blue Ridge and Table Mtn are ablaze with orange/gold..
Once at Mtn High West, head down (right) Big Pines Hwy down towards Jackson Lake...(3 miles).... There are several sections where the road is lined with great color.. and it may be even better coming back up with the sun angle. --- (Also, before turning off to Big Pines Hwy to go down to Jackson lake...you can continue west on Hwy 2 for a few miles for some magnificent mountain views of the highest peaks in the range- and some more colorful oak. Stop in Grassy Hollow Visitor Center (open weekends) which is only 3 miles west of the Jct of Hwy 2 and Big Pines Hwy)---
Back on Big Pines Hwy and at Jackson Lake, there are some great photo ops along side the hwy and in the day use area... Again, the gold and yellows of oak, cottonwood, cypress, some willow, and a few other trees... mixed in with the pines, deep blue sky and small lake are fantastic... There are a few dirt roads behind and just west of Jackson Lake where you can drive up into the 'oak forest'... highly advised.. and can be done with most high clearance passenger vehicles. Also, definitely take a drive through Mtn. Oak campground, (across the street from Jackson Lake). Again, sillouhettes of the colors in the afternoon sun.
Something to note: Since this entire area from Wrightwood to Jackson Lake lies on the north side of the mtns, make sure get most of the viewing done before about 4 PM as the sun will set behind the ridge and the colors will dull significantly.
Wrightwood can be accessed VERY easily for most people in LA, off I-15 North (going up toward the Cajon Pass), to Hwy 138 West, (8 miles) to Hwy 2 West...(5 miles to town).
Enjoy the fall colors, socal style!
Southern California - 10/25/08 - Todd writes: HI Carol... Thought I'd give a heads up to any Southern California people who want to do a short day trip to see some nice fall colors.
Wrightwood, (ele. 6,000 ft... pop ~5,000) in the eastern San Gabriel Mtns has about the most color you'll see anywhere in Socal. Everything is just about at peak right now with beautiful oak, cypress, cottonwoods, maples.... and a few other non-native trees (in town). Just driving around the quiet forested subdivisions in "town" can be pretty fun, albeit a little different kind of leaf peeping experience. Stop for lunch/coffee on the deck at one of the great cafe's in the village! The weather has been perfect with highs in the 60's to low 70's.
Leaving town going west up Hwy 2 towards Mtn High West Ski Resort (4 miles), the oaks all along the slopes of Blue Ridge and Table Mtn are ablaze with orange/gold..
Once at Mtn High West, head down (right) Big Pines Hwy down towards Jackson Lake...(3 miles).... There are several sections where the road is lined with great color.. and it may be even better coming back up with the sun angle. --- (Also, before turning off to Big Pines Hwy to go down to Jackson lake...you can continue west on Hwy 2 for a few miles for some magnificent mountain views of the highest peaks in the range- and some more colorful oak. Stop in Grassy Hollow Visitor Center (open weekends) which is only 3 miles west of the Jct of Hwy 2 and Big Pines Hwy)---
Back on Big Pines Hwy and at Jackson Lake, there are some great photo ops along side the hwy and in the day use area... Again, the gold and yellows of oak, cottonwood, cypress, some willow, and a few other trees... mixed in with the pines, deep blue sky and small lake are fantastic... There are a few dirt roads behind and just west of Jackson Lake where you can drive up into the 'oak forest'... highly advised.. and can be done with most high clearance passenger vehicles. Also, definitely take a drive through Mtn. Oak campground, (across the street from Jackson Lake). Again, sillouhettes of the colors in the afternoon sun.
Something to note: Since this entire area from Wrightwood to Jackson Lake lies on the north side of the mtns, make sure get most of the viewing done before about 4 PM as the sun will set behind the ridge and the colors will dull significantly.
Wrightwood can be accessed VERY easily for most people in LA, off I-15 North (going up toward the Cajon Pass), to Hwy 138 West, (8 miles) to Hwy 2 West...(5 miles to town).
Enjoy the fall colors, socal style!
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