Autumn colors in West Fork Oak Creek Canyon

Autumn has brought wonderful colors to the flora in West Fork Oak Creek Canyon this year. The mouth of this canyon, located between Flagstaff and Sedona, lies at an elevation of about 5400 feet. With its narrow width and high walls, sunlight is strongly filtered before reaching the canyon floor. This produces a micro climate that is much cooler than would otherwise be expected for a location at this elevation.

Autumn colors found in West Fork Oak Creek Canyon in northern Arizona.
Autumn colors found in West Fork Oak Creek Canyon in northern Arizona.
Autumn colors reflected in the waters of West Fork Oak Creek in northern Arizona.
Autumn colors reflected in the waters of West Fork Oak Creek in northern Arizona.
Fallen leaves lie beside rushing waters in West Fork Oak Creek in northern Arizona.
Fallen leaves lie beside rushing waters in West Fork Oak Creek in northern Arizona.

The result is that there is large variety of flora in this canyon dominated by pine, maple, oak, and sycamore. And when the shorter and cooler days of autumn arrive the colors on these trees can be magnificent.