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Hello those in the know

what's the earliest that the colors start to turn in Flagstaff and when is peak? Late september? Early october? Help!

Now, or never depending on perspective.

We don't really have colors here. The aspens will start changing on the Peaks in a few weeks, generally once the temperature starts to drop near or below freezing on the Peaks after the monsoon is gone.

Obviously the pines don't change, but the oaks don't do much in the way of color either. The exotics around town do change, but its not impressive. Some are already starting because they don't belong here and they don't take the harsh conditions of being a street tree well.

When I was off trail yesterday I saw quite a few herbaceous plants that were changing, both above and below treeline, and I saw a shrub that looked like a sumac which had color in its leaves. I guess up here autumn is a few weeks away.

Peak depends on elevation. The band of color will drift down hill for about a month. It moves from about 11,500' in mid September to 8,000' by early October to 6,500' in mid October. Thats how I remember the last 2 years. City trees are done by the end of September, very early October at the latest. I still don't think they ever peak.

thanks guys, i should have been more specific. i meant the aspens

Well, the aspens may not be maples, but at a certain moment in time they can sure be spectacular. Last year on a trail out of Greer I caught one of those moments. Glorious deep blue sky, brightest yellow of aspen leaves, plus lots of bright yellow leaves covering the ground and trail, plus small puffs of breeze that blew a few leaves off the trees so there were always some floating around in the air.

The oaks aren't as predictable as the maples nor generally as brilliant. Last year was an exceptional year for oaks along 89A to Flagstaff. It was a sea of gold with orange highlights in sections.

As powerful as the blood red maples can be it's pretty hard not to be in awe of tri colored Aspens shimmering in a cool breeze... it's good stuff

jhodlof is spot on, Autumn hits Arizona mid September in the upper most elevations!

The north side of the peaks is pretty reliable for aspen color the last week of September, which includes Lockett Meadow. But there is heavy traffic to get up there and can be hard to navigate some of the narrow spots. How long the leaves last is anyone's guess. Some years the color is spectacular, and sometimes its a dud. The aspen seen from Hwy 180 just outside Flagstaff is usually early October. Snow Bowl Road is paved and there are places to park and walk around the trees. The new trail below the Snow Bowl should be nice for viewing color without having to hike uphill alot. Hart Prairie Road becomes a freeway with leaf peepers on the weekends. Try to avoid it at all costs. Oak Creek Canyon has oak, maple, sumac that show great color, but this is later, like late October and into November. Sterling Pass has spectacular maple color at the top of the trail. I'll post triplogs to let everyone know when the color starts.