The winding roads of Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway are now lined with a sprinkling of golden leaves. Birch and aspen trees are still mostly green, but a few limbs on some of the trees are now transitioning into their fall hues. The best places to catch the colors right now are around Mile Marker 18 and at the Long Valley Picnic Area. At Long Valley especially, the layering of colors is breathtaking - from the purple and red groundcover, to the contrasting deciduous and conifer trees, and the framing of the limestone cliffs.

This will be a week of color change in Spearfish Canyon. Over the last two days I witnessed a significant transformation throughout the Canyon with the birch and aspen trees transitioning to a lighter green color. This change was spotty until yesterday when the whole Canyon seems to have joined the march toward fall. I anticipate we will see emerging yellows from these trees by the end of next week.

Today the woodbine, a vibrant red climbing vine, is the star of Spearfish Canyon. You will see woodbine twisting around trees and climbing over rocks around the Canyon’s waterways. Another creeper which could not be ignored today is poison ivy. Poison ivy is giving us a full range of color right now to admire from afar with reds, yellows, and oranges often found all in one plant.