Mono County: Upper Rock Creek, June Mountain, Virginia Lakes Peaking
CLICK HERE for the Eastern Sierra Fall Color Guide (seen at left).
Sarah McCahill recommends a hike into the high country to see the best fall color. There’s lots of it to be seen if you’re willing to take a beautiful hike. She reports the latest from Mono County:
30-50% — Crowley Lake. Lots of bright yellow. Should be close to peaking in a week to two. Plenty of color to see and photograph.
0-15% — Lower Rock Creek Canyon. Still green, though showing some signs of yellow. Exit US 395 at Tom’s Place.
75-100% — Upper Rock Creek Canyon. Upper Rock Creek Canyon is speckled with yellow, orange and red leading up to and around Rock Creek Lake. Some stands are better than others.
50-75% — McGee Creek Upper Canyon. Bring your hiking boots and a camera to see lots of yellow, orange and some red. 10 miles south of Mammoth Lakes off US 395.
30-50% — McGee Creek Lower Canyon. Still mostly green with yellow and orange starting to show. Wind hit some of the trees, but still good.
30-50% — Convict Lake. This inkwell of a lake is lined with trees whose color reflects beautifully in the lake.
50 – 75% — Sherwin Mountains. Lots of orange and yellow at higher elevations, descending to yellow-green at 7,000′.
10-15% — Mammoth Lakes Basin. The jewel-like lakes in the town of Mammoth Lakes are just starting to turn yellow.
75-100% — June Mountain Ski Area. Patches of orange decorate the upper slopes of June Mountain Ski Area.
50-75% — Parker Bench. Full of bright orange color.
15-30% — Carson Peak. Light green to yellow.
0-15% — June Lake Loop. This drive offers one of the best places to see fall color from your car in the Eastern Sierra. You pass a necklace of lakes that reflect the trees beautifully. Right now, it’s still lime-green, with a little yellow starting to show.
15-30% — Lundy Canyon. Light green to yellow aspens flickering.
75-100% — Virginia Lakes. Lots of yellow, orange and red aspen and gold cottonwood are coloring the canyon. Wind has knocked leaves from some trees. Bring along your fishing rod.
15-30% — Conway Summit (Bridgeport) — Some yellow and hints of orange, though still mostly limey green. Give it a week.
0-15% — Walker River Valley — Mostly green with hints of yellow.
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