September 28, 2023
Spearfish Canyon Leaf Report
September 28, 2023
Color Change: 100% (High)
Leaf Drop: Low to Moderate
It’s peak leaf watching time in Spearfish Canyon! The Canyon foliage has reached 100% of its autumnal color change. Most trees are now at their most beautiful and brightest colors. It's not too late to enjoy Spearfish Canyon’s fall beauty! Download the Leaf Watching Map to follow along with the spots mentioned in this leaf report.
As you’re driving into the Canyon, before the Scenic Byway Information Pull-Off, look east and you’ll see a preview of what’s to come along the byway. Here and throughout the Canyon, the bursts of yellow deciduous trees show off the “depth” of the Canyon’s trees. The trees grow deep in the rocky crevices, and layer by layer the trees remind us why the hills look almost black with dense evergreens.
The yellows of the Canyon’s birch and aspen are vibrant along the Canyon’s top ridges. The ruby red shrubs and vines that leaf peepers will notice in the Canyon this week are sumac and woodbine. These shrubs and vines are accompanied by glowing grasses along the eastern side of the byway. In just a few weeks we’ll likely see those same grasses poking out of our first seasonal snow.
Savoy and the area around the Latchstring, Spearfish Canyon Lodge, and Roughlock Falls continue to be stunners with abundant golden leaves. Yellow tree-lined roads greet leaf peepers throughout the Canyon. There are certainly a few twists and turns on the byway where the leaves will continue to transition this weekend, and the colors will deepen. Areas to watch that are still green and transitioning to their fall colors include Kissing Rocks to Long Valley Picnic Area and the sumac west of Bridal Veil Falls.
The weather forecast is warm and mild over the weekend. I expect minimal leaf drop until mid-week with rain forecast on Tuesday, Oct. 3.
This is the last Spearfish Canyon Leaf Report of 2023. It’s been another beautiful year, but I have a theory based on what I’ve observed over the last three years of leaf watching. This year I kept waiting for the purple dogwood around Long Valley Picnic Area to deepen and reveal its fall colors. While the dogwood is a sight to see, it’s still not as deeply colored as I’ve seen in past years. My theory is that in a year like 2023 with more precipitation, especially spring and summer precipitation, some Canyon foliage colors may not be as bright. As I’ve mentioned in past reports this year, a fall rain will make the foliage colors pop for a brief time (great for taking photographs). But overall, my theory is that a dry, hot summer produces more vibrant fall colors in Spearfish Canyon, while a cooler, wet summer mutes the colors. That being said, I had more mountain goat sightings this year than ever before (going into the Canyon the same number of times). So maybe the goats are feeling friendlier after a wet summer.
These are theories I will watch for in future years. Until then, enjoy fall 2023 in Spearfish!
