Spearfish Canyon shows signs of autumn - KOTA Territory News

Spearfish Canyon shows signs of autumn

AnnaRose Goodman has spent almost every summer of her life in the Black Hills, and a lot of time in Spearfish Canyon. "It's just beautiful I mean it's like one of my favorite places in the world," said Goodman.

But autumn is her favorite season in the hills. "It's the best in the fall, it's the prettiest then," said Goodman.

Canyon author Jerry Boyer says fall is already starting. "We're just beginning to see the autumn rhapsody being heralded," said Boyer. "It's a piece of art."

Jerry Boyer has reported on the fall colors in Spearfish Canyon for almost 20 years, and something amazed him this year. "It's here already about a week early," said Boyer.

It may be a slight change but the leaves are turning. Lime green bursts out of the canopy, reds tint the shrubs and some golden leaves have already fallen. "It's because of the hot and dry July that we all experienced that is stressing the trees," said Boyer.

He hopes that September will bring rain so some of that stress will be relieved and Spearfish Canyon will have what he calls a "peak" where all the trees and shrubs are changing colors at once.

According to Boyer, bout 100,000 vehicles will drive up Spearfish Canyon to see the fall colors. "And they're going to be slow they're going to stop in the middle of the road, hopefully some will pull over," said Boyer. "So just be very careful and enjoy the day."

Goodman says she has her own favorite place to view the leaves in Spearfish Canyon. "Way up above the falls, I have a couple friends we call it "fern gully" as kind of a joke it's just really beautiful up there," said Goodman.

Just remember every year is different and an early fall doesn't necessarily mean an early winter.