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Just A Hint

Virginia Lakes (9/14/22) Jeff Simpson | Mono County Tourism

There’s a hint of glory being seen near 10,000’ in the Eastern Sierra.

Mono County color spotter Jeff Simpson reports, “The first changes of the 2022 fall color season are just starting in the highest elevations of Mono County.

“Generally, changes start in the higher elevations, above the 10,000′, with the best colors found first at Virginia lakes, Rock Creek Road, Lobdell Lake Road and Sagehen Summit. Each of these destinations are just getting started and currently in the 0-10% range, but with cooler temperatures predicted this weekend, the color change should quickly progress through September.

Quaking Aspen, Virginia Lakes (9/10/14) Jeff Simpson
Quaking Aspen, Virginia Lakes (9/10/22) Jeff Simpson
Conway Summit (9/14/22) Jeff Simpson

Here’s what’s happening:

WALKER / COLEVILLE / TOPAZ

  • Monitor Pass (8,314′) – 0%
  • West Walker River, Walker, Coleville and Topaz (5,200′) – 0%
  • Sonora Pass (9,623′) – 0%
  • Lobdell Lake Road (9,274′) – 0-10% Just starting along the road with the best color being found just below the lake. 

BRIDGEPORT / VIRGINIA LAKES

  • Twin Lakes (7,000′) – 0%
  • Virginia Lakes (9,819’) – 0-10% Decent changes at both Little and Big Virginia Lakes. Take a hike to Red Lake or any of the other trails for the best chances for color. Please remember to be respectful of your parking locations along the road and don’t block entrances to private residences. 
  • Conway Summit (8,143) – 0%
  • Summers Meadow (7,200′) – 0%

LEE VINING

  •  Tioga Pass (9,943′) – 0%
  • Lee Vining Canyon (6,781′) – 0%
  • Lundy Lake & Canyon (7,858′) – 0%

BENTON & 120 EAST 

  • Sagehen Summit (8,139’) – 0-10% Progressing nicely and is usually the first location in California to have peak colors.

JUNE LAKE LOOP

  • June Lake Loop/Hwy 158 (7,654′) – 0%

MAMMOTH LAKES

  • Mammoth Lakes Basin (8,996′) – 0%

CROWLEY LAKE/McGEE CREEK/CONVICT LAKE

  • McGee Creek Canyon (8,600’) – 0%
  • Around Crowley community (6,781′) – 0%
  • Convict Lake (7850′) – 0%

ROCK CREEK CANYON

  • Rock Creek Road (9,600’) – 0-10% – Just starting at the lake level and higher elevations. The best color will be on the trails heading higher in elevation. 
/2 Comments/by
2 replies
  1. Sylvia W says:

    Thanks for this early update on the eastern Sierra! Would greatly appreciate another report late this week, after the storm passes.

  2. Steven Lathrop says:

    Thank you for the detailed updates. We are up in the Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. Very spotty color as of 9-21-22,

    Congratulations for winning the Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Award. Well deserved. You will missed when you move on to other endeavors.

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