Mono County – Still Waiting
“Still waiting” are the words Mono County color spotter Jeff Simpson used to describe this week’s update, as many favorite fall color destinations in the Eastern Sierra are still green.
He reports “Groves of yellow/green aspens above the 9,500′ foot level that include destinations at Lobdell Lake Road, Bodie Hills, Virginia Lakes and Rock Creek Lake.”
As was reported yesterday from Bishop Creek Canyon in Inyo County to the south, everything above 9,000′ is “not yet” ready to be called Patchy (10 – 50%), and yet one location below 9,000′ is.
Sagehen Summit is the only location in California now classified as Patchy and, as Jeff comments, “it will be the best bet for significant color this weekend.” It is likely to be the first location in California to peak, as an early peak is its normal pattern, despite being only at 8,139′ in elevation. Therefore Sagehen scores the hat trick of Peak of the Week, Hike of the Week and Drive of the Week.
A factor indicating change is the overnight temperature predicted for the coming week. Jeff said it was 32 degrees in Bridgeport on Tuesday morning at dawn, and as seen in Patrick Griley’s photograph, taken on Wednesday, there was a dusting of snow at Mammoth Lakes and surrounding mountain peaks above 10,500′. However, freezing overnight temps only last until Friday. Next week, the overnight lows at Mammoth Lakes will be in the mid to high 30s.
ROCK CREEK CANYON
- Rock Creek Road (9,600’) – Just Starting (0-10%) – Lightly tinted with yellow/lime at lake level and higher elevations. The best color will be found on the trails heading to higher elevations.
CROWLEY / McGEE CREEK / CONVICT LAKE
- McGee Creek Canyon (8,600’) – Just Starting (0-10%)
- Around Crowley community (6,781′) – Just Starting (0-10%)
- Convict Lake (7850′) – Just Starting (0-10%)
MAMMOTH LAKES
- Mammoth Lakes Basin (8,996′) – Just Starting (0-10%)
JUNE LAKE LOOP
- June Lake Loop/Hwy 158 (7,654′) – Just Starting (0-10%)
BENTON & 120 EAST
- Sagehen Summit (8,139’) – Patchy (10-50%) – Presently, this is the best spot in all of California to see fall color. It will approach Near Peak next week, so be prepared to GO NOW! And, why should you go? Use the magnifying glass in the top nav bar and search for “Sagehen Summit.” You will find gorgeous photographs of past peak color there – which doesn’t last long. It is well worth an early trip when at its best.
LEE VINING / LUNDY
- Tioga Pass (9,943′) – Just Starting (0-10%)
- Lee Vining Canyon (6,781′) – Just Starting (0-10%)
- Lundy Lake & Canyon (7,858′) – Just Starting (0-10%)
BRIDGEPORT / VIRGINIA LAKES / DUNDERBERG / SUMMERS
- Twin Lakes (7,000′) – Just Starting (0-10%)
- Bodie Hills (9,419′) – Just Starting (0-10%)
- Virginia Lakes (9,819’) – Just Starting (0-10%) Decent changes at both Little and Big Virginia Lakes. Please remember to be respectful of your parking locations along the road and don’t block entrances to private residences. Hunting season is also in full swing here and along Dunderberg Meadow/Green Creek/Summers Meadow roads.
- Conway Summit (8,143) – Just Starting (0-10%)
- Summers Meadow (7,200′) – Just Starting (0-10%)
LOBDELL / SONORA PASS/ WALKER / COLEVILLE / TOPAZ
- Lobdell Lake Road (9,274′) – Just Starting (0-10%) Just starting along the road with the best color being found just below the lake.
- Sonora Pass (9,623′) – Just Starting (0-10%)
- Monitor Pass (8,314′) – Just Starting (0-10%)
- West Walker River, Walker, Coleville and Topaz (5,200′) – Just Starting (0-10%)
