Tag: Oak Creek Canyon

Fall Colors in Oak Creek Canyon

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Fall (or autumn, if you prefer) is over in northern Arizona. Peak fall colors started high on the peaks back in September and have been working their way down to lower elevations. The peak moved through Oak Creek Canyon in mid November.

The North Wilson Trail climbs out of Oak Creek Canyon and goes through a stand of maple trees. Leaves on trees and on the ground make this a favorite for fall photographs.
The North Wilson Trail climbs out of Oak Creek Canyon and goes through a stand of maple trees. Leaves on trees and on the ground make this a favorite for fall photographs.

A few years ago and saw this little guy sitting at the base of the tree on the North Wilson Trail. He was still there on this year’s hike but was starting to lean over a bit so we set him upright. Never know what you’ll find on a hike.

Not really about fall colors but we spotted this little gnome statuette off to the side of the trail. Never know what you will find on a hike!
Not really about fall colors but we spotted this little gnome statuette off to the side of the trail. Never know what you will find on a hike!
Water cascades over boulders before entering a large and deep pool at Grasshopper Point in Oak Creek Canyon.
Water cascades over boulders before entering a large and deep pool at Grasshopper Point in Oak Creek Canyon.
A shady stretch of Oak Creek with fall colors.
A shady stretch of Oak Creek with fall colors.
Trees and grasses with reflections at Grasshopper Point in Oak Creek Canyon.
Trees and grasses with reflections at Grasshopper Point in Oak Creek Canyon.sshopper Point in Oak Creek Canyon.
A small cascade at the lower end of Grasshopper Point in Oak Creek Canyon.
A small cascade at the lower end of Grasshopper Point in Oak Creek Canyon.
Brightly colored trees at Indian Gardens in Oak Creek Canyon.
Brightly colored trees at Indian Gardens in Oak Creek Canyon.
Late afternoon colors are reflected in the waters of Oak Creek.
Late afternoon colors are reflected in the waters of Oak Creek.
Late afternoon colors are reflected in the waters of Oak Creek.
Late afternoon colors are reflected in the waters of Oak Creek.

Edit 12/15/2024: Fixed some typos.

Autumn Colors in Northern Arizona

October and November brings color to the foliage in northern Arizona. This year, however, the colors have been subdued and the color change has been over an extended period of time rather than a sharp peak. Nonetheless, it’s always a fun time to get out and photograph. These photographs were taken between October 10 and November 1.

October 10, 2023

Lockett Meadows, the Inner Basin, and the San Francisco Peaks.
Lockett Meadows, the Inner Basin, and the San Francisco Peaks.
Lockett Meadows, the Inner Basin, and the San Francisco Peaks.
Lockett Meadows, the Inner Basin, and the San Francisco Peaks.
Fallen aspen leaves cover the Waterline Road in the San Francisco Peaks.
Fallen aspen leaves cover the Waterline Road in the San Francisco Peaks.
A ridge is covered with aspen as seen from the Inner Basin Trail.
A ridge is covered with aspen as seen from the Inner Basin Trail.

October 19, 2023

Aspen along the Veit Springs trail on the San Francisco Peaks.
Aspen along the Veit Springs trail on the San Francisco Peaks.

October 30, 2023

Red maple leaves in Harding Springs, Oak Creek Canyon.
Red maple leaves in Harding Springs, Oak Creek Canyon.
Fallen maple leaves in Harding Springs, Oak Creek Canyon.
Fallen maple leaves in Harding Springs, Oak Creek Canyon.
Maple tree, Harding Springs, Oak Creek Canyon.
Maple tree, Harding Springs, Oak Creek Canyon.

November 1, 2023

Apple leaves, Call Of The Canyon picnic area, Oak Creek Canyon.
Apple leaves, Call Of The Canyon picnic area, Oak Creek Canyon.
Maple tree, West Fork Oak Creek trail.
Maple tree, West Fork Oak Creek trail.
A sunlit wall is reflected in a pool in West Fork Oak Creek.
A sunlit wall is reflected in a pool in West Fork Oak Creek.
Fallen leaves sit atop the water in a tranquil pool in West Fork Oak Creek.
Fallen leaves sit atop the water in a tranquil pool in West Fork Oak Creek.
Bright yellow maple leaves arch across the West Fork Oak Creek trail.
Bright yellow maple leaves arch across the West Fork Oak Creek trail.

The color continues to migrate into the lower elevations. Middle and lower sections of Oak Creek Canyon have yet to hit their peak.

Fall Color in Oak Creek Canyon

It’s early November and the aspen leaves have fallen across the higher elevations of northern Arizona. But autumn colors are not done–they have just shifted to lower elevations.

Tree on the side of the road in Oak Creek Canyon.
Tree on the side of the road in Oak Creek Canyon.

Earlier this week we decided to hike the North Wilson Mountain Trail in Oak Creek Canyon. It starts at ~1450 m and we turned around at ~1910 m at the intersection with the main Wilson Mountain Trail. The best autumn colors were found early in the hike where the trail is in a north-facing drainage. In this section we encountered primarily maple trees but we also found oak, sumac, and Arizona Ash as well as a few wildflowers.

Red sumac leaves on the North Wilson Mountain trail.
Red sumac leaves on the North Wilson Mountain trail.
Maple tree in noontime sun.
Maple tree in noontime sun.
Evidence of the Brins Fire (2006) is still present on this hillside but young maple trees are taking root here.
Evidence of the Brins Fire (2006) is still present on this hillside but young maple trees are taking root here.

This part of Oak Creek Canyon was burned in the 2006 Brins Fire and there are reminders of this wildfire all along the trail. But fire also brings new growth and the maples appear to be thriving in this location.

Late-season violets can still be found along the trail.
Late-season violets can still be found along the trail.
Arizona ash tree on the North Wilson Mountain trail.
Arizona ash tree on the North Wilson Mountain trail.
Our turnaround spot near the intersection of Wilson and North Wilson trails provides sweeping views of the lower sections of Oak Creek Canyon.
Our turnaround spot near the intersection of Wilson and North Wilson trails provides sweeping views of the lower sections of Oak Creek Canyon.
Maples displaying lots of color.
Maples displaying lots of color.
A view across Oak Creek Canyon to the climbing area known as The Waterfall.
A view across Oak Creek Canyon to the climbing area known as The Waterfall.
From the trailhead parking lot with a view of color on the west face of Oak Creek Canyon--and some interesting clouds above.
From the trailhead parking lot with a view of color on the west face of Oak Creek Canyon–and some interesting clouds above.
Autumn color in Oak Creek Canyon.
Autumn color in Oak Creek Canyon.

From our turnaround spot near the junction of North Wilson and Wilson trails we had grand views of the lower portions of Oak Creek and the Red Rock country of Sedona.

These ravens--and a western bluebird(?)--were happy to let me take their photograph.
These ravens–and a western bluebird(?)–were happy to let me take their photograph.

Colorful day!

Edit: formatting issues

Autumn Colors — 2021

The changing of the colors of leaves continues to march from the higher to lower elevations. The higher elevations and aspens peaked in mid October while places such as Oak Creek Canyon hit their peak a few weeks later. Peak color is just now reaching Sedona and similar locations. Here are several photos of leaves taken over the past few weeks in and near Oak Creek Canyon.

Fruit trees near Cave Springs campground.
Fruit trees near Cave Springs campground.
Maples near the Harding Springs trail.
Maples near the Harding Springs trail.
AB Young trailhead.
AB Young trailhead.
Grape leaves at the AB Young trailhead.
Grape leaves at the AB Young trailhead.
AB Young trailhead.
AB Young trailhead.
Maple leaves in upper Oak Creek Canyon.
Maple leaves in upper Oak Creek Canyon.
Leaves on the water in Kelly Canyon.
Leaves on the water in Kelly Canyon.
Oak leaves in Kelly Canyon.
Oak leaves in Kelly Canyon.