Peak larch is upon us
10-14-19, 01:27 PM
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Peak larch is upon us
The alpine variety is mostly at peak color near Washington Pass. There are plenty of stragglers that should hit their full potential mid-week. The coming weekend is probably the last chance. They're further along at lower altitude this year; Cutthroat Lake is playing out while the pass is still showing a good display.
The western variety is turning yellow, at least along Loup Loup Pass. I expect Blewett looks similar.
I'll post photos later when I'm able.
The western variety is turning yellow, at least along Loup Loup Pass. I expect Blewett looks similar.
I'll post photos later when I'm able.
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10-15-19, 01:16 AM
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Blue Lake Saturday 10/12
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10-15-19, 02:22 PM
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There aren't many needles on the ground yet, but we have a series of storms coming this week. Tonight it will start snowing down to about 5,000' and probably not melt until June. They'll be windy storms. This is probably it for the alpine variety. Western larches should likely still be yellow for another week or two.
10-18-19, 12:31 PM
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I'm going out to have a look at these tomorrow and will report back. I hope I'm not annoying people with my obsession with this one tree.
Since the weekend is coming up, in case anybody else is interested in seeing them, I should point out that the western larches grow all over the E slope of the Cascades - including in Oregon - and can be seen from many paved roads. I don't know Oregon very well and can't say much about where, I've seen photos of them from Bend, and know they're incredibly widespread. For Seattle people, Blewett Pass (US 97 between Leavenworth & Cle Elum) has thousands of them. They go all the way out to the Rockies.
Since the weekend is coming up, in case anybody else is interested in seeing them, I should point out that the western larches grow all over the E slope of the Cascades - including in Oregon - and can be seen from many paved roads. I don't know Oregon very well and can't say much about where, I've seen photos of them from Bend, and know they're incredibly widespread. For Seattle people, Blewett Pass (US 97 between Leavenworth & Cle Elum) has thousands of them. They go all the way out to the Rockies.
10-20-19, 01:46 PM
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I was in the Elkhorn Mtns (west of Baker City OR) 20 years ago when the larches were turning, and it is an incredible sight! Swaths of gold all up and down the mountainsides! Need to get back over there again.
SP
Nwpt, OR
SP
Nwpt, OR
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10-21-19, 03:50 PM
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I'm going out to have a look at these tomorrow and will report back. I hope I'm not annoying people with my obsession with this one tree.
Since the weekend is coming up, in case anybody else is interested in seeing them, I should point out that the western larches grow all over the E slope of the Cascades - including in Oregon - and can be seen from many paved roads. I don't know Oregon very well and can't say much about where, I've seen photos of them from Bend, and know they're incredibly widespread. For Seattle people, Blewett Pass (US 97 between Leavenworth & Cle Elum) has thousands of them. They go all the way out to the Rockies.
Since the weekend is coming up, in case anybody else is interested in seeing them, I should point out that the western larches grow all over the E slope of the Cascades - including in Oregon - and can be seen from many paved roads. I don't know Oregon very well and can't say much about where, I've seen photos of them from Bend, and know they're incredibly widespread. For Seattle people, Blewett Pass (US 97 between Leavenworth & Cle Elum) has thousands of them. They go all the way out to the Rockies.
10-21-19, 04:03 PM
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There's still gold at Ingalls Pass in the Teanaway. They were covered in snow on Saturday, the trail went through about 8" on the way up to the pass. But there's a warm front passing through that should melt some of it. The Blewett area is filled with a different species that "blooms" later, much less snow, some of the trees are still greenish, many are gold. I wouldn't be surprised if there's still a good display there next weekend.
I'll try to post some photos later.
I'll try to post some photos later.
