An autumn lenticular, among the first large ones of the season, caps Mount Shasta.
With winter weather nearing, I spent most of the last warm weather getting everything stowed for the winter and splitting firewood. I didn’t get out too much or take advantage of the weather like I wish I could have. Fortunately, here in Mount Shasta, just heading into town leads to great views and opportunities to enjoy spectacular vistas of Mount Shasta. While this was not a great fall color year (too dry I think and not a sharp cold snap, I think) but there were still pockets of color all around the area, especially along the creeks and rivers and where the oaks proliferate. Where the color was, the beauty was enhanced significantly.
Really wet weather is coming in the next few days. I thought it might be nice to collect images I have taken while running around getting stuff done and the few minor trips out I have taken with my kids. Next up in a week or two, I will probably post some snowy pictures or some shots of rain-swollen rivers. Until then, enjoy the last vestiges of autumn!
Click to enlarge:
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- Autumn started off with clear sky and almost no precipitation. This can make sunrises and sunsets less interesting to pursue. Nonetheless, perseverance can still yield interesting shots.
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- Fall color along the creeks was a pleasant addition and makes scrambling on the rocks more enjoyable.
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- The Sacramento River also had nice color from the willows and other riparian denizens. Clouds around Mount Shasta indicated a coming change in weather patterns.
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- The only interesting trip I have taken since coming back from Arizona was to the Antelope Creek Valley to cut Christmas Trees. This remote area sees little visitation but has numerous impressive rocks and peaks as well as scattered lakes and meadows. Here clouds cover Rainbow Peak.
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- A rugged cliff lines the slopes of Piccadilly Ridge. Many more, and more rugged, cliffs are found along the ridges above Antelope Creek.
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- A light dusting of snow coats Mount Shasta as it rises above the fall colors.
Hike Mt. Shasta 
I thought we weren’t going to see much in the way of color here, either. And then it popped! It’s been beautiful. Even the white oaks on our property have taken on colors ranging from almost yellow to burnt orange. –Curt
I’m glad you were able to get some good color. It was definitely not a great year here, though we did get some.
Interestingly, when my wife and drove through Oregon in late August, it seemed a lot of the trees along I-5 were turning color really early. Did you notice this?
We were off journeying around the US in our small RV at the time, avoiding Covid while also escaping. When we arrived back here in September we didn’t notice much but we had come in from eastern Oregon and skipped I-5.