Spearfish Canyon is now at 50% of peak leaf color change. As you drive into the Canyon, the fall colors get deeper and more noticeable after Bridal Veil Falls and all the way to Savoy. Picking a favorite side of the Canyon’s byway is like picking a favorite child. As you can see on this map, Spearfish Creek winds along the Scenic Byway route. But, after Maurice Gulch the Creek hugs the Byway to the east and south, making a very picturesque sight for the senses. At Kissing Rocks, for example, golden birch and spruce trees frame the rocks and stream. With a closer look you’ll see multi-colored poison ivy peeking out from behind Kissing Rocks and lively shrubs and grasses revealing their fall colors alongside the Creek.

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, pink, 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.

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 (my personal favorite) the greens and yellows gracing the Canyon walls after Long Valley Picnic Area.