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September 12, 2024
As the second week of September comes to a close, the leaves in Spearfish Canyon are reaching 40% of their total color change. Birch, aspen, and boxelder trees throughout the Canyon are becoming more spotted with yellow leaves. This is especially noticeable in the first half of the Canyon drive from Spearfish. Besides the emerging yellows, many deciduous trees are noticeably lighter in their green color, which is a sign they are getting ready to turn to their autumn hues.
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Color Change: 40% (Moderate)
As the second week of September comes to a close, the leaves in Spearfish Canyon are reaching 40% of their total color change. Birch, aspen, and boxelder trees throughout the Canyon are becoming more spotted with yellow leaves. This is especially noticeable in the first half of the Canyon drive from Spearfish. Besides the emerging yellows, many deciduous trees are noticeably lighter in their green color, which is a sign they are getting ready to turn to their autumn hues. Take note of the lime green shades near Maurice Gulch, south of Devil’s Bathtub, and at the Bowl at Savoy. To locate these spots, download the Spearfish Canyon Leaf Watching Map!
Drive, bike, or hike through the Canyon this weekend and you’ll witness the beginning of fall! If you want to experience a shorter hike with a beautiful destination, try Spearfish Falls. Spearfish Falls is one of the Canyon Waterfall Triad (Bridal Veil Falls, Spearfish Falls, and Roughlock Falls).
The Spearfish Falls hike begins in Savoy near the Latchstring Restaurant (once known as the Latchstring Inn). Public restrooms at the trailhead are a bonus! The hike is downhill to start, followed by a small bridge crossing Spearfish Creek, and then a shady, wooded area before you reach Spearfish Falls. Enjoy the lookout deck to view the Falls. You might get a refreshing spray from the 60-foot waterfall.
In the late 1800s/early 1900s, a train would stop right at the top of Spearfish Falls as a lookout point for its passengers. Can you imagine the shuddering overlook trestle from the force of the water? The Homestake Gold Mine diverted water from the powerful Spearfish Falls in 1917 in order to provide power for the mill. The diversion also created power and light for the cities of Lead and Spearfish. In 2003 Homestake stopped the water diversion in response to a 1999 lawsuit settlement.
September 9, 2024
Spearfish Canyon foliage colors are at 22% towards peak color change. While deciduous trees are still mostly green, a drive through the Canyon this week will reveal hints of a forest making its fall transition. Birch, aspen, and willow trees have small areas of yellow throughout the Canyon. Dogbane is still the predominant yellow you will see near the forest floor.
Color Change: 22% (Low)
Spearfish Canyon foliage colors are at 22% towards peak color change. While deciduous trees are still mostly green, a drive through the Canyon this week will reveal hints of a forest making its fall transition. Birch, aspen, and willow trees have small areas of yellow throughout the Canyon. Dogbane is still the predominant yellow you will see near the forest floor. Today I noticed dwarf raspberry south of the Devil’s Bathtub parking area before you get to Victoria mountain. Dwarf raspberry has three leaves like poison ivy and is showing us its deep pink and lime green leaves at the present.
The weather reports are for a warm and dry week in Spearfish. Cooler evening temperatures and the very gradual change of how the earth tilts towards the sun are the signals the leaves are waiting for to show us their fall colors.
Overall, 2024 has been warmer and drier than last year. Each year, moisture levels affect Bridal Veil Falls. Bridal Veil Falls is located around 4.5 from the mouth of the Canyon. The falls are on the eastern side of the byway. The Burlington Railroad that chugged through the Canyon from 1893-1933 stopped below Bridal Veil Falls where passengers could get out of the train and explore for the day. Today, there is a convenient parking and viewing area in front of the falls.
It’s easy to see why Bridal Veil Falls gets its name. From a lofty height, water rushes 100 feet over and down the rocky Canyon walls, mimicking a bride’s flowing veil. The amount of water that cascades down the falls is less in the autumn than the spring. The water flow depends on springtime temperatures, rains, and seasonal snow fall amounts. With the drier 2024 we’ve had, this means a more “delicate” veil flowing at Bridal Veil Falls.
In addition to the waterfall, Bridal Veil Falls is a prime place to see the Canyon’s flora and fauna. I’ve been enjoying the yellow tansy, blue forget me knots, and smooth brone (which looks like wheat) near the falls. It’s also a favorite hang out of the Canyon’s mountain goat population, which photographer Les Heiserman now counts at 24 goats including two sets of twins!
September 3, 2024
Color Change: 8% (Very Low)
This is the first Spearfish Canyon Leaf Report of 2024. Foliage is at 8% towards its full autumn color change. After a hot and dry Labor Day weekend, Spearfish Canyon still looks more summer than fall. Historically, we’ve seen the “peak” or most vibrant fall colors in the Canyon between September 23 and October 3.
The real story today is found in the “understory.”
Color Change: 8% (Very Low)
This is the first Spearfish Canyon Leaf Report of 2024. The Canyon foliage is at 8% towards its full autumn color change. After a hot and dry Labor Day weekend, Spearfish Canyon still looks more summer than fall. The real story is found in the “understory.”
The understory is the space between the forest treetops and the forest floor. This week in the Canyon you’ll observe yellow spreading dogbane. Watch for dogbane around Calamity Gulch. The dogbane that have morphed into their late summer golden color are especially striking up close where you can observe their beautiful red stem. I’ve noticed yellow dogbane since August. This could mean an earlier than normal color change in the Canyon, but we will have to see what September has in store. Historically, we’ve seen the “peak” or most vibrant fall colors in Spearfish Canyon between September 23 and October 3.
Also, in the Canyon understory this week look for purple-red dogwood near Long Valley Picnic Area. There are some random, early-maturing birch and aspen branches starting to turn yellow, but overall the deciduous trees are still green.
As we wait for the first signs of fall, let’s explore some Canyon landmarks I’ll be pointing you to throughout the season as special leaf watching spots.
First up, Split Rock! Split Rock is one of the first landmarks you’ll come to as you follow the Spearfish Canyon Leaf Watching Map. What’s happening above (and below!) Split Rock?
Split Rock is about 3 miles from the intersection of Colorado Blvd. and Hwy 14A as you travel into the Canyon from Spearfish. The Rock straddles both sides of the Scenic Byway. Split Rock was blasted through in the late 1800s to make way for a railroad. The triangular rock on the east side of the byway is perhaps most recognizable as the landmark for Split Rock. Pine trees almost seem to climb up Split Rock’s upward angle there. In the next few weeks you’ll see birch, oak, cottonwood, and elm all come into their splendor of fall colors near Split Rock. Today I saw purple dotted gayfeather standing tall and asters low to the ground.
While the beauty above ground will catch your eye, it’s also worth considering what is happening underground at Split Rock. The actual rock type on Split Rock is exposed limestone that is part of the Madison Aquifer, one of the most important aquifers in the Black Hills. Madison Limestone, like what we see at Split Rock, has karst features. This means the carbonate in the limestone (which was once deposited by seawater) can dissolve, leading to fractures in the rock. Within these fractures, water flows through the rock and connects with surface and groundwater resources.
In the next Leaf Report we’ll examine a favorite Canyon stop, Bridal Veil Falls.