Mono County Begins to Pop

Mono County color spotter Alicia Vennos reports that color is developing quickly.  She forecasts that near peak will happen next week at highest elevations and peak will descend for the following month. Here’s her report.

Patchy (10 – 50%) – Rock Creek Road/Hilton Creek Road – Colors towards the top of Rock Creek Road are starting to really go off!  The lower elevations are still lime green to yellow in patches, but the higher end of Rock Creek Road and the trail to Hilton Creek are moving towards peak fairly quickly.  Make plans within the next 10 days AT THE MOST to see this area in all its brilliance.  Pie in the Sky Café – a must stop for color spotters – will be open with their famously delicious homemade pies through October 12 (Columbus Day long weekend) this year.  The Rock Creek Pack Station has kept a few horses in the stable for anyone wishing to see the colors by horseback in the next week or so.  Please contact asap to reserve. 

Patchy (10 – 50%) – Virginia Lakes/Green Creek Road/Bridgeport – Many aspen groves just off US 395 near Bridgeport, are turning golden, orange and red… but many are still completely green. Some have shed their leaves (likely the result of black leaf spot, as reported earlier). This wide range seems to follow the same pattern each year which means there should be color to see at one section or another within the next two and even three weeks.  Conway Summit is still lime green for the most part, but sections of Virginia Lakes Road are golden, as are some of the groves along Green Creek Road, which is well-maintained and graded.  Summer’s Meadow is also still at the lime green stages.  DUCKS UNLIMITED DINNER: October 17.  

Patchy (10 – 50%) – Lundy Canyon –  The popular waterfall viewpoint is still lime green and only slightly yellow, as are the aspens that line the Lundy Canyon Road and surround the west side of Lundy Lake. However some aspens along the dirt road extension to the beaver ponds are yellow.  We still estimate there to be about two weeks before the color is really spectacular.

Patchy (10 – 50%) – Lee Vining Canyon – 10-50%.  Colors are just starting to ramp up in the Lee Vining Canyon area but we are a couple of weeks away from peak in that area.  The Log Cabin Road, however, tends to go off more quickly — plan for the next week to 10 days.

Just Starting (0 – 10%) – June Lake Loop – The Loop is usually one of the last places to turn and will be showing off her colors in approximately two weeks, all things being equal!  WRITERS/POETS:  You are invited to join in on a workshop called  “Inspired by Nature: A Writer’s Retreat” on September 25, 26, 27.  Contact 310-450-9606 for full details.  May the magic of autumn in June Lake inspire equally brilliant writing!  CRAFT BEER ENTHUSIASTS:  On October 10th, June Lake Brewing is hosting the 3rd Annual June Lake Autumn Beer Festival at Gull Lake Park. 

Just Starting (0 – 10%) – Convict Lake – The gorgeous aspens at the west end of the lake are still green. It’s still early for any significant color in the canyon. There is only a scattering of yellow as you drive up to Convict Lake.  Around the lake the leaves have just started their change over to their fall colors. Plan to visit within the next 2 or 3 weeks.  Convict Lake’s fall fishing derby, “Ambush at the Lake,” continues through Nov. 15. with $6,000 in resort prizes. A $2,000 Cash Bonus Weekend runs on Oct. 30 – Nov. 1. Fall Lodging Specials starting at $379+tax (Sunday thru Thursday – 2 Nights for 2 Persons).  Includes $100 Restaurant Credit & Full Day Motor Boat Rental.

Patchy (10 – 50%) – McGee Creek Canyon – McGee Creek has some gold and yellow aspens happening now!  Visit within the next week to 10 days.  McGee Creek Pack Station is open for fall color rides into the back country through September.

Just Starting (0 – 10%) – Walker/Coleville – The underbrush and willows are golden or gone now but the aspens are turning lime-green with some yellow patches, particularly along the West Walker River.  Up in the higher elevations, up by Golden Gate Mine and Mill Canyon Road, color is starting to erupt. Plan to come within the next few weeks!  BIRDING & HIKING THE VALLEY event is this weekend — Still time to sign up. Please call (530) 208-6078 to join in on a weekend of birding, hiking and learning about the amazing geology of the Walker/Coleville/Topaz area.  And the annual Deer Hunter Barbecue is coming up on October 3 in Walker — deep pit barbecue with delicious (and secret) Antelope Valley Lions Club sauce, with all the fixings and homemade desserts!  Call (530) 208-6078 for more info.  Also — the Leavitt Meadows Pack Station is open through mid-October for fall color horseback rides in the Sonora Pass area. 

These hashtags lead to fall color reports #SierraFallColors, #Autumn, #FallColor.