September 16, 2024
Spearfish Canyon is currently at 45% of total fall foliage color change. The most noticeable areas of change in the deciduous trees are at the beginning of the byway and towards the end. Watch for trees taking on a golden hue on the western side of the Canyon near Split Rock and in the higher elevations at Savoy. Reds are emerging in sumac around Maurice Intake and in the ivy after Victoria.
Today is hotter in temperature than normal for this time of year. The hot and dry summer we’ve had made me wonder what we can expect for weather the rest of September. My thanks to David Stradling, Chief Meteorologist with KOTA Territory News, who shared some weather statistics and fall predictions I’m now sharing with you.
Color Change: 45% (Moderate)
Spearfish Canyon is currently at 45% of total fall foliage color change. The most noticeable areas of change in the deciduous trees are at the beginning of the byway and towards the end. Watch for trees taking on a golden hue on the western side of the Canyon near Split Rock and in the higher elevations at Savoy. Reds are emerging in sumac around Maurice Intake and in the ivy after Victoria.
I’d love some help identifying the dotted moth I captured in my photos near Roughlock Falls. Please email me at SpearfishCanyonReports@gmail.com
Today is hotter in temperature than normal for this time of year. The hot and dry summer we’ve had made me wonder what we can expect for weather the rest of September. My thanks to David Stradling, Chief Meteorologist with KOTA Territory News, who shared some weather statistics and fall predictions I’m now sharing with you.
KOTA Meteorologist David confirmed my suspicions, Summer 2024 has been warmer compared to Summer 2023. Our average temperature in Spearfish in 2024 was 81.8 degrees, while we had a high of 80.8 degrees in 2023.
This year (2024) has been much drier in Spearfish compared to last year (2023) in terms of moisture and snowfall. We received 7.44” more moisture last year (January 1-August 31, 2023) than this year. Here’s the details: Since January 1, 2024 we have received 17.84” of moisture. Comparing January 1 through August 31, 2023 we had 25.28” of moisture.
Snowfall tells the same story. Last year (2023) was 21” snowier than this year! The specifics on that are 57.3” of snowfall in 2024 compared with 78.3” in 2023. Read my September 9th, 2024 report at SpearfishCanyonReports.com for information on how moisture affects the waterfalls in Spearfish Canyon.
At the end of last year’s leaf reporting season, I theorized that cooler, wetter year meant lesser/muter fall colors in the Canyon. If that is true, as we move into the next two weeks of September, we should see bright, bold foliage. Meteorologist David predicts the remainder of September will be warmer and drier than average, which may allow me to test my theory. We’ll see what nature has in store!
September 12, 2024
As the second week of September comes to a close, the leaves in Spearfish Canyon are reaching 40% of their total color change. Birch, aspen, and boxelder trees throughout the Canyon are becoming more spotted with yellow leaves. This is especially noticeable in the first half of the Canyon drive from Spearfish. Besides the emerging yellows, many deciduous trees are noticeably lighter in their green color, which is a sign they are getting ready to turn to their autumn hues.
Click the photos above to view more photos!
Color Change: 40% (Moderate)
As the second week of September comes to a close, the leaves in Spearfish Canyon are reaching 40% of their total color change. Birch, aspen, and boxelder trees throughout the Canyon are becoming more spotted with yellow leaves. This is especially noticeable in the first half of the Canyon drive from Spearfish. Besides the emerging yellows, many deciduous trees are noticeably lighter in their green color, which is a sign they are getting ready to turn to their autumn hues. Take note of the lime green shades near Maurice Gulch, south of Devil’s Bathtub, and at the Bowl at Savoy. To locate these spots, download the Spearfish Canyon Leaf Watching Map!
Drive, bike, or hike through the Canyon this weekend and you’ll witness the beginning of fall! If you want to experience a shorter hike with a beautiful destination, try Spearfish Falls. Spearfish Falls is one of the Canyon Waterfall Triad (Bridal Veil Falls, Spearfish Falls, and Roughlock Falls).
The Spearfish Falls hike begins in Savoy near the Latchstring Restaurant (once known as the Latchstring Inn). Public restrooms at the trailhead are a bonus! The hike is downhill to start, followed by a small bridge crossing Spearfish Creek, and then a shady, wooded area before you reach Spearfish Falls. Enjoy the lookout deck to view the Falls. You might get a refreshing spray from the 60-foot waterfall.
In the late 1800s/early 1900s, a train would stop right at the top of Spearfish Falls as a lookout point for its passengers. Can you imagine the shuddering overlook trestle from the force of the water? The Homestake Gold Mine diverted water from the powerful Spearfish Falls in 1917 in order to provide power for the mill. The diversion also created power and light for the cities of Lead and Spearfish. In 2003 Homestake stopped the water diversion in response to a 1999 lawsuit settlement.
September 9, 2024
Spearfish Canyon foliage colors are at 22% towards peak color change. While deciduous trees are still mostly green, a drive through the Canyon this week will reveal hints of a forest making its fall transition. Birch, aspen, and willow trees have small areas of yellow throughout the Canyon. Dogbane is still the predominant yellow you will see near the forest floor.
Color Change: 22% (Low)
Spearfish Canyon foliage colors are at 22% towards peak color change. While deciduous trees are still mostly green, a drive through the Canyon this week will reveal hints of a forest making its fall transition. Birch, aspen, and willow trees have small areas of yellow throughout the Canyon. Dogbane is still the predominant yellow you will see near the forest floor. Today I noticed dwarf raspberry south of the Devil’s Bathtub parking area before you get to Victoria mountain. Dwarf raspberry has three leaves like poison ivy and is showing us its deep pink and lime green leaves at the present.
The weather reports are for a warm and dry week in Spearfish. Cooler evening temperatures and the very gradual change of how the earth tilts towards the sun are the signals the leaves are waiting for to show us their fall colors.
Overall, 2024 has been warmer and drier than last year. Each year, moisture levels affect Bridal Veil Falls. Bridal Veil Falls is located around 4.5 from the mouth of the Canyon. The falls are on the eastern side of the byway. The Burlington Railroad that chugged through the Canyon from 1893-1933 stopped below Bridal Veil Falls where passengers could get out of the train and explore for the day. Today, there is a convenient parking and viewing area in front of the falls.
It’s easy to see why Bridal Veil Falls gets its name. From a lofty height, water rushes 100 feet over and down the rocky Canyon walls, mimicking a bride’s flowing veil. The amount of water that cascades down the falls is less in the autumn than the spring. The water flow depends on springtime temperatures, rains, and seasonal snow fall amounts. With the drier 2024 we’ve had, this means a more “delicate” veil flowing at Bridal Veil Falls.
In addition to the waterfall, Bridal Veil Falls is a prime place to see the Canyon’s flora and fauna. I’ve been enjoying the yellow tansy, blue forget me knots, and smooth brone (which looks like wheat) near the falls. It’s also a favorite hang out of the Canyon’s mountain goat population, which photographer Les Heiserman now counts at 24 goats including two sets of twins!