Fall Color on the San Bernardino National Forest
Quaking Aspen - Populus tremuloides, is a deciduous tree native to cooler areas of North America, one of several species referred to by the common name aspen. It is commonly called quaking aspen. The trees have tall trunks, up to 25 meters (82 feet) tall, with smooth pale bark, scarred with black. The glossy green leaves, dull beneath, become golden to yellow, rarely red, in autumn. The species often propagates through its roots to form large clonal groves originating from a shared root system. These roots are not rhizomes, as new growth develops from adventitious buds on the parent root system (the ortet).
The quaking aspen grove in the San Gorgonio Wilderness is the southern-most aspen grove in California. The leaves there begin to turn in late September with the peak of color usually happening during the first week or two of October. To get to the grove, visitors will need a high-clearance vehicle to drive to the trailhead, and then they will need to hike about ½ mile (horses also permitted). Wilderness Permits are required. Permits can be obtained at the Mill Creek Ranger Station (open Thursday-Monday from 8:00 am – 4:30 pm) or at SGWA - Wilderness Page. There is a limit to permits issued, and they go fast on fall weekends, so securing one online before your trip is highly recommended.
Aspen Grove Trail 2E05
To get to the Aspen Grove Trailhead, take Highway 38 east of the Mill Creek Ranger Station. Turn right (south) off Highway 38 about 6 miles past the Barton Flats Visitor Center on Forest Service Road 1N02. Follow 1N02 until it forks right to 1N05. Go right up 1N05 (this is a rough unmaintained road not intended for low-slung autos) to the signed Aspen Grove Trail parking (7,400'), 2.6 miles in from Highway 38. Hike south down the trail. After crossing the creek, hikers will be amongst the first aspen trees. Take the unsigned trail to the right to see more aspen trees. The largest concentration of aspen trees is about ¾ mile down this trail.
Other local tree species that turn to beautiful autumnal hues are black oaks, big leaf maples, Pacific dogwoods, willows, and western sycamores.