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California: Plumas County claims fall color crown this weekend

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If you haven’t explored California’s Shasta Cascade region, this is a great time to go. Fall colors are reported to be at peak or approaching peak in Plumas, Lassen and Siskiyou counties, areas in the northern part of the state rich in national forests and parklands.

The color show is in full force in places south of Susanville, says the Awesome Autumn report run by Plumas County’s tourism council.

One recommended route starts in the town of Quincy where an English maple whose “orangeish/pinkish leaves were at peak” this week, the report says.

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The drive continues along winding back roads to La Porte (population 26) to see the yellow glow of big-leaf maples and the red tones of dogwood along the way.

The Plumas County Fall Color Tour Map is handy for planning a road trip and identifying leaves and trees. In this area, willows and black cottonwoods also bring out the gold; Indian rhubarb and mountain dogwood add reddish-orange tinges.

Other good bets for color this weekend: The Bizz Johnson Trail along the Susan River near Susanville in Lassen County, and the Mt. Shasta area north of Redding in Siskiyou County, according to CaliforniaFallColor.

In the northern coastal area, maples and even poison oak (ugh!) provide reds on Redwood Highway (U.S. 101) along the Eel River. Trees and shrubs in the understory of the towering redwoods pop with color, contrasting nicely with the deep green giants.

In the Sierra, the “go now” list -- these colors will be gone soon -- includes Walker Lake to the June Lake Loop and Lower Lundy Lake Road, both north of Mono Lake.

Yosemite Valley’s black oaks and are still green, and the rosy dogwood has just begun to show. Trees should start turning on Halloween and continue through the beginning of November, the website reports.

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In Southern California, Lake Arrowhead and Lake Gregory show some yellows and oranges, but leaves in Big Bear Lake are now past peak.

Check out updates for all areas and aerial videos of Eastern Sierra color spots at CaliforniaFallColor.

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