September 17, 2023

Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway Looking North

Spearfish Canyon Sept. 17, 2023

Western Poison Ivy

Savoy

Common Toadflax

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.

September 14, 2023

After Long Valley Picnic Area

Near Bridal Veil Falls

Raindrops on Bloodleaf

Savoy Looking Northeast

Color Change: 25% (Low to Moderate)

Leaf Drop: Minimal

There was a dramatic change in the Spearfish Canyon leaves today. Whereas on Monday I noticed just a few splashes of yellow on select branches and trees, today I noticed some birch and aspen fully enveloped in golden hues. If you’re visiting the Canyon this weekend, admire the large groves of changing trees on the eastern side of the road after leaving Bridal Veil Falls traveling south, at the parking lot for Devil’s Bathtub, and (a personal favorite) the greens and yellows gracing the Canyon walls after Long Valley Picnic Area.

We are officially in the “lime” phase of the trees. This means the deciduous trees like birch and aspen take on an almost lime hue as the greens lighten into yellow. The fading greens are especially noticeable in the Canyon with its backdrop of coniferous trees such as the Black Hills spruce.

I attribute this striking transition in the Canyon over the last few days to two things. First, the warm days and cool, longer nights of mid-September are signaling to the leaves that it’s time to prepare for winter. Second, Spearfish experienced significant rainfall over the last 24 hours, and we had an above average level of summer precipitation, too. Recent rain like we had last evening really makes the colors in the Canyon pop. 

With this one-page map of the Scenic Byway you can easily follow along with the landmarks in Spearfish Canyon Leaf Reports!  

September 11, 2023

Mountain Goats Near Botany Bay

Wild Carrot/Queen Anne's Lace in Spearfish Canyon

Old Spearfish Creek Dam

Deer in Spearfish Canyon

Color Change: 2% (Very Low)

The leaves in Spearfish Canyon are still very green today. We are at 2% towards the peak color change of the fall season. There is lightning of the birch trees’ green hues on the western side of the road after Long Valley Picnic Area. This cropping of trees may be among the first on the Canyon Byway to transition to autumn golds. Right now, you’ll also notice clusters of wild carrot/Queen Anne’s lace, the tall white flowering plant bordering the road. If you’re able to park for a hike or stroll, you might also see purple asters and white daisies.

Today was also a day for spotting wildlife in the Canyon. If you drive slowly, you can sometimes spot deer grazing in the shadows. The female deer I saw today was seemingly alone enjoying the grasses after Maurice Intake on the eastern side of the road. The second animal I noticed was a chipmunk. Chipmunks are fast! But you can often see them scurrying around the Canyon floors. Here’s a tip if you’re driving through the Canyon: If you see several cars parked on the side of the road, it is typically either a good fly-fishing spot or a mountain goat sighting. Today was the later! Along with several other sightseers, the third animal I spotted today was the Canyon’s mountain goat family of four foraging near Botany Bay. The two little ones were very hungry, quickly crossing the road to find their next feeding spot. The male goat took his time, standing for several minutes in the middle of the road as traffic looked on. It was almost as if he was reminding us that we are all visitors to Spearfish Canyon. Yet for the native wildlife, the Canyon is their home.   

Want to locate these spots in Spearfish Canyon to hopefully spy some Canyon wildlife yourself? Download this one-page map of the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway with landmarks noted that are mentioned in these leaf reports.