September 17, 2021

Fall colors emerging on Canyon walls behind Spearfish Canyon Lodge

Color Change: 55% (Moderate)

Today, Jerry J. Boyer accompanied me to the Canyon to survey the leaves. Leaf Report readers will know Jerry’s name as former president of the Spearfish Canyon Foundation and an avid leaf reporter for 20 years. Jerry is also author of several books including “Canyon Echoes: A Spearfish Canyon Photo Essay.”

The leaves are nearing 55 percent color change today, with a noticeable slowing down of their gradual change to fall colors. The leaves are giving us time to notice, and look! The more than 80 bends in the Canyon Scenic Byway each reveal a different stage of change. As Jerry says, “every curve has its own magic.”

The area around Spearfish Canyon Lodge to the 76 Trail is beginning to show its colors, with bursts of lime and blonde among the pines and limestone. You will notice radiant scarlet Sumac and purple Dogwood along the lower levels of the Canyon. Nannyberry shrubs near the Long Valley Picnic Area are beginning to reveal their crimson hues.

I tried to get Jerry to reveal his prediction for our peak color change. It looks like we may have a slightly earlier, although still within normal range, leaf peak around Sept. 27-28. As Jerry says, “You can’t fool Mother Nature.” Weather in the coming week will be our determining factor.