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Last week, we shared a fall colors report from Spearfish-area photographer and author, Jerry Boyer. He has been tracking and recording the fall color change process in Spearfish Canyon for more than 30 years. I get a new report every week from Boyer and this time it showed a big jump in color saturation compared to last week’s report. His graph, above, shows the color saturation curve; the solid, yellow line is the current 2010 tracking. Below is his narrative summary of the current fall colors in Spearfish Canyon.

On a personal note, my wife and I took a drive out through the canyon yesterday afternoon – and I can vouch for Boyer’s current report – it’s spot on! Any time in the next week or so will be a great one to go visit Spearfish Canyon or any other part of the Black Hills to scope out some beautiful fall colors. Once they peak, there’s no telling how long they’ll last – so get on out and enjoy while you can!

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Spearfish Canyon fall colors update as of September 20, 2010.
Photo and report courtesy of Jerry Boyer: author – ‘Canyon Echoes.’

Very colorful in Spearfish Canyon today with the orange, red and golden hues really beginning to “pop”. Colors saturation at 70% continues its climb, though the pace has slowed a bit. Still looks like peak burst around next Monday, September 27th, although Mother Nature has fooled me before. The scenic byway is crowed with bicyclists, hikers and very slow moving vehicles, so please drive carefully.

Spearfish Canyon fall colors photo current as of September 20, 2010. Courtesy of Jerry Boyer.