September 17, 2023
Spearfish Canyon continued its march toward fall this weekend. Foliage is at 30% of peak color change. We are now seeing striking changes in low-lying Western poison ivy. In one patch of Canyon ivy, you can witness a whole spectrum of color transitions – from green, to yellow, orange, pink, to red. Five species of poison ivy occur naturally in North America. Our Western variety grows as a shrub, rather than the vine structure that differentiates Eastern poison ivy. The Canyon’s colorful shrubs will be bountiful this week. A great spot to view them is the western roadside after Victoria Tower. You’ll see three distinct patches of fall color in the slopes to the Canyon floor: yellow dogbane, multi-colored ivy, and reddening sumac.
Color Change: 30% (Low to Moderate)
Leaf Drop: Minimal
Spearfish Canyon continued its march toward fall this weekend. Foliage is at 30% of peak color change. We are now seeing striking changes in low-lying Western poison ivy. In one patch of Canyon ivy, you can witness a whole spectrum of color transitions – from green, to yellow, orange, to red. Five species of poison ivy occur naturally in North America. Our Western variety grows as a shrub, rather than the vine structure that differentiates Eastern poison ivy. The Canyon’s colorful shrubs will be bountiful this week. A great spot to view them is the western roadside after Victoria Tower. You’ll see three distinct patches of fall color in the slopes to the Canyon floor: yellow dogbane, multi-colored ivy, and reddening sumac.
The majority of birch and aspen are still in their lime green phase. If you’re impatient for some golden hues, take a gander at the trees southeast of Devil’s Bathtub. That area in particular is at around 75% of peak leaf color change. From the tip top of the cliffs down to the Canyon floor, fall is right around the corner.
Have you noticed the spruce trees that seem to grow straight out of Canyon rock? There’s more to the story than meets the eye. While I was taking photos of the multi-colored poison ivy this weekend, I noticed evergreen trees growing vertically on the top of Victoria Tower. This is not a unique phenomenon in the Canyon. Many trees seem to grow straight out of the limestone rocks.
According to geologist Gene Bauer as quoted in Spearfish Canyon: A Journey Beyond the Rim by Paul Higbee, the trees aren’t actually growing from rock. The key ingredient is water, along with the special properties of limestone. Water trickles into the limestone rock’s cracks and crevices. When the water freezes the crack expands, and soil makes its way inside the rock. Seeds are able to grow in the rocky cracks thanks to the soil, and also thanks to the limestone’s minerals which nourish the seed.
Peak leaf season will be here soon! Download your Spearfish Canyon Leaf Watching Map today to follow along with these reports.