fourth of july in october

The Fourth of July Canyon is known for its amazing fall foliar displays. The tree mostly responsible for this is the southwest version of the sugar maple. Known variously as the Wasatch maple, the big-tooth maple, or the rocky mountain sugar maple, this tree is felt to be a regional variant of the sugar maple (Acer saccharum) and is thus now known as Acer saccharum grandidentatum (previously it was known as just A. grandidentatum). It differs from the typical east-coast sugar maple by being shorter (to 20-30 feet tall instead of growing to 60 feet), having smaller leaves, and needing well-drained rather dry soil.



It has the same spectacular fall colors however, and for those of us who live in the southwest and miss the fall fireworks that deciduous forest trees provide, a trip to the Fourth of July Canyon can satisfy this craving.



We took a trip to the canyon yesterday, and it was clearly apparent that we had missed the peak. Perhaps two weeks ago, the canyon would have been incredible. There were sights to see however, from the blazing inferno reds, to glowing oranges and yellows, to delicate pinks. Sometimes this was all in the same leaf.



Good thing we got there early. By the time we left (around 1pm) the parking lot was full, the entrance road was entirely lined with cars parked on the side, and there were a dozen or so cars coming up the road. I wonder where they parked, because there was not a spot left.