Mono a Mono, Just Starting

Speaking “mono a mono,” Mono County is still Just Starting, though transitioning to Patchy.

Its aspen were unharmed by snow which dusted the Eastern Sierra on Monday. That’s typical of snow before leaves turn greatly. A little snow doesn’t hurt them. Even the wind that accompanied the cold front blew past.

Despite a brisk start, this week has been beautiful in the Eastern Sierra, Mono County color spotter Jeff Simpson and visiting color spotter Clayton Peoples report.

This is a typical year. The reason it doesn’t feel that way is because we’ve gotten used to atypical autumns. In the drought years, our forests became stressed and fall color appeared slightly early. But now, when the leaves are showing on time, we think it’s earlier or later than normal. It’s not. It’s normal.

Streams remain running and lakes are full, meaning that there’s lots of water in the Sierra to nourish the trees which are carrying heavy loads of green leaves.

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Nevertheless, most of the Eastern Sierra is Just Starting. For the earliest color, head to Upper Rock Creek and the Virginia Lakes. There, you’ll find groves full of yellow and orange at the highest elevations, though if you;re counting, most of the trees are still green.

Above 9,000′ is where it’s happening, right now. A few areas have transitioned from Just Starting to Patchy and those will progress to Near Peak by the end of the first full week of autumn.

California’s first Full Peak will occur in the Eastern Sierra (Inyo and Mono Counties) sometime between Sept. 26 and Oct. 1.

Here’s where to go and what to look for now in Mono County:

• Virginia Lakes (9,819’) – Patchy (10-50%) – Very patchy but you’ll find some full yellow and orange trees near the summit and along the road. Take the Dunderberg Meadows Road for more sections of trees getting ready to turn.
• Rock Creek Road (9,600’) – Patchy (10-50%) –  Some yellow trees above lake level and beyond but still getting going along the road and entirely green in the lower section near Tom’s Place. 
• Little Lakes Valley (10,400′) – Just Starting (0-10%) – Although not a prime fall color destination due to the limited deciduous trees in the valley, Rock Creek Road, leading to Little Lakes Valley, is obviously an exception and is worth visiting. There are signs of change there, with grasses starting to turn golden yellow and shrubs brightening.
• Sagehen Summit (8,139’) – Just Starting (0-10%) – While Sagehen is currently green and lime-green, the color here sneaks up and suddenly it’s Near Peak. It should be turning nicely in a week. Look for major progression at Sagehen in the next week.
• Tioga Pass (9,943′) – Just Starting (0-10%) – Light greens at the top of the pass with the occasional yellow patches.
• Sonora Pass (9,623′) – Just Starting (0-10%) – Sonora Pass is very green according to PCT hikers coming off the trail, today. Some light yellows and greens over the pass. Clayton Peoples adds, there are some, however, that are beginning to turn lime green–and a few selected others that are turning yellow. Interestingly, much of the change appears to be a little lower in elevation (at least lower than the pass)–for instance, near the Pack Station on the east side of the pass.
• Monitor Pass (8,314′) – Just Starting (0-10%) Almost entirely green with some light green and yellow at the very top.