Family Portrait Season

What better time of year to refresh the family portrait, than autumn? And what better place to get it than in Mono County?

Mono County color spotter Jeff Simpson and his family explored Lobdell Lake Rd. in northern Mono County, returning with great memories and a colorful image to send with holiday greetings.

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Fall colors are peaking above 8,500′ throughout Mono County, though at several locations along US 395 the show varies from Just Starting to Patchy. That means, Mono County’s show will continue for three weeks. Though, the sooner you get there, the better.

TRAVEL ADVISORY – The National Weather Service is forecasting snow Oct. 7 – 8 and closing Sonora Pass (CA-108), Monitor Pass (CA-89) and Tioga Pass (CA-120), potentially to reopen Oct. 9. US 395 will remain open. A dusting of snow will contribute to spectacular fall color pictures.

Road Conditions: https://roads.dot.ca.gov/

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Monitor Pass, Sonora Pass, Lobdell Lake Road, Conway Summit, Summers Meadow Road, Tioga Pass, and Rock Creek Road are all at Peak. Virginia Lakes which has been at peak for the past couple of weeks has some color for the first three miles of the road but is mostly past peak beyond there.

Sagehen Summit was beautiful, but the few remaining groves with color will be Past Peak by the end of the weekend.

However, stand by for a brilliant show about to debut at June Lake, the Lee Vining Canyon, Lundy Canyon, Laurel Canyon, Convict Lake and McGee Creek. Lime green and light yellow leaves are just appearing in these areas and should be at peak within a week to a week and a half.

Upcoming Events: 

• Fall Colors of the Northern Bodie Hills, 
• Leaves in the Loop, 
• BFEF Fall Fishing Tournament.

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WALKER / COLEVILLE / TOPAZ

• Monitor Pass (8,314′) – Peak (75 – 100%), GO NOW! – Monitor Pass just edged past Near Peak and should progress nicely through the weekend.
• West Walker River, Walker, Coleville and Topaz (5,200′) – Just Starting (0 – 10%) – Some aspen in the Walker Canyon are now Near Peak with 50% yellow leaves.
• Sonora Pass (9,623′) – Peak (75 – 100%), GO NOW! There is good color to be enjoyed from Leavitt Meadows Pack Station all the way to the summit.
• Lobdell Lake Road (9,274′) – Peak (75 – 100%), GO NOW! – This area is gorgeous now and should remain good for another week of Peak color. Some groves will move Past Peak over the weekend, but lower level areas around the road should be perfect for another week. (AWD & 4WD recommended)

BRIDGEPORT / VIRGINIA LAKES

• Twin Lakes (7,000′) – Patchy (10 – 50%) – This area just edged out of “Just Starting”, so it will take a bit before it nears peak. The Twin Lakes area, southwest of Bridgeport typically peaks around the third week of October.
• Virginia Lakes (9,819’) – Peak to Past peak – You Almost Missed It! – Just about everything at the lakes is gone, but there’s still great color for the first few miles from Conway Summit up Virginia Lakes Road.
• Conway Summit (8,143) – Peak (75 – 100%), GO NOW! – There’s plenty of green yet to turn, yet this area is layered in tones of lime, yellow, orange and hints of brilliant vermilion. The Summit should remain at peak for the next 10 days. It is so beautiful that it’s easy to forget you’re driving a major California highway. So, as you approach the summit, be mindful to reduce speed, use your turn signal, watch for other vehicles and park only in designated turnouts along US 395.
• Summers Meadow (7,200′) – Peak (75 – 100%), GO NOW! – This extraordinarily beautiful drive (one of Mono County’s best) just edged past 75% and should be good for the next 10 days. This hidden gem has been declared California Fall Color’s Drive of the Week, though a AWD or 4WD vehicle is recommended.

LEE VINING 

• Tioga Pass (9,943′) – Peak (75 – 100%), GO NOW – It’s last call for the High Sierra. Colder temps, winds and even some snow will make this the last time to revel in the last bright spots of autumn color as you approach the east entrance to Yosemite National Park.
• Lee Vining Canyon (6,781′) – Patchy (10 – 50%) – Figure that Lee Vining Canyon will be a Go Now! fall color destination, next week.
• Lundy Lake & Canyon (7,858′) – Patchy (10 – 50%) – California’s best fall color hike just missed being declared Near Peak. Considering that cold weather is arriving, the canyon could change faster than an aspen leaf flutters. Lundy Canyon is mostly green near US 395 level with color progressing up the canyon with elevation. The Lundy Canyon trail “might” be perfect this weekend. This area is popular, so be mindful to park only in designated parking spots.

BENTON & 120 EAST 

• Sagehen Summit (8,139’) – Past Peak, You Missed It!

JUNE LAKE LOOP

• June Lake Loop/Hwy 158 (7,654′) – Patchy (10 – 50%) – One of North America’s most impressive autumn views, the June Lake Loop is about to become epic. Plan to visit from a week to two and a half weeks from now. Good color will begin dressing the edges of Silver Lake next week and quickly earn a Go Now! designation.

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MAMMOTH LAKES

• Mammoth Lakes Basin (8,996′) – Patchy (10 – 50%) – Color is still developing at the Lakes Basin and in town. Check Booking.com (above right) for room availabilities.

CROWLEY LAKE/McGEE CREEK/CONVICT LAKE

• McGee Creek Canyon (8,600’) – Patchy (10 – 50%) – The McGee Creek Trail is still developing with green to yellow aspen low in the canyon, transitioning to broad displays of golden aspen leading up to impressive peaks. Don’t be fooled by the mostly green trees around the campground and pack station, drive up the canyon for a beautiful show which will only get better this coming week.
• Around Crowley community (6,781′) – Patchy (10 – 50%) – There’s good color up the hill and in the surrounding mountains while mostly green in town and along old US 395.
• Convict Lake (7850′) – Patchy (10 – 50%) – Some sections of good color can be seen, but it’s still too green. It should be brilliant in 10 – 14 days.

ROCK CREEK CANYON

• Rock Creek Road (9,600’) – Peak (75 – 100%), GO NOW! – Upper Rock Creek Canyon is peaking at lake level and up the Little Lakes Valley, but is still green near US 395.