Mono County is no longer waiting for peak conditions. It’s happening everywhere above 9,000′ in elevation and at Sagehen Summit (8,139′).

This is the weekend to see Sagehen at its best, as the color will be much diminished within the following week. There is lots of green mixed into the yellow and orange at Sagehen Summit and Virginia Lakes, which an optimist would read as indicating the peak will last, but both locations are notoriously short lived.

If traveling to Virginia Lakes and have an AWD vehicle, take Dunderburg Meadows Road to Green Creek Road for additional groves of peaking aspen with some red and crimson colors mixed into the landscape.

Peak is also appearing at Rock Creek Lake (9,705″), though lots of green trees are seen on the road leading up to the lake, meaning that peak will continue at this location for another two weeks.

The Bodie Hills, Sonora Pass, Lobdell Lake Road, Conway Summit, McGee Creek Canyon, Convict Lake and Mammoth Lakes Basin all made nice progress this week but are all still at least a week out before approaching peak color.

ROCK CREEK CANYON

Rock Creek Road (9,600’) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! – Rock Creek Lake is ringed with bright color and forests above 9,000′ are at peak. Lower Rock Creek Road is still green, though don’t be disappointed as you drive up the canyon as it is developing quickly and will be gorgeous at the end of the road by this weekend.

McGee Creek Canyon (9/26/22) Dakota Snider

CROWLEY / McGEE CREEK / CONVICT LAKE

McGee Creek Canyon (8,600’) – Patchy (10-50%) – There’s good color to be found up the canyon, if you are willing to hike, making Upper McGee Creek canyon Hike of the Week. Mixed green and yellow leaves are seen at the campground, near US 395. CLICK HERE to read Modern Hiking’s description of the trail.
Around Crowley community (6,781′) – Just Starting (0-10%) – The first glimpses of yellow are seen glowing above the community of Crowley along mountain slopes.
Convict Lake (7850′) – Just Starting (0-10%)

MAMMOTH LAKES

Mammoth Lakes Basin (8,996′) – Patchy to Near Peak (10-75%) Go Now. – Snowcreek is speckled with brightly colored foliage and developing. Devil’s Postpile NM and Rainbow Falls are Near Peak. There is mixed color developing in the Lakes Basin. Some shores are now past peak, while others are still patchy. It’s definitely worth a hike when in Mammoth Lakes – gorgeous scenery!

JUNE LAKE LOOP

June Lake Loop/Hwy 158 (7,654′) – Just Starting (0-10%) – This is estimated to peak Oct. 15 – 20.

BENTON & 120 EAST

Sagehen Summit (8,139’) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! – Brilliant yellow and oranges carpet the hillsides, making this location Peak of the Week. There is still some green in the lower section of the dirt road, but GO NOW! as peak will not last more than a week at this location. It should remain spectacular over the weekend and for a few days longer.

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%) – The colors get better the higher you hike. Give this a week.

BRIDGEPORT / VIRGINIA LAKES / DUNDERBERG / SUMMERS

Twin Lakes (7,000′) – Just Starting (0-10%)
Bodie Hills (9,419′) – Patchy to Near Peak (10-75%) Go Now. – Some groves near four corners are Near Peak, while the lower elevations are still green. This would be a great ATV/UTV outing this weekend.
Virginia Lakes (9,819’) – Peak (75 -100%) GO NOW! – Yellow groves at Little Virginia Lake peaked today. Still mixed green and lime along the lower section of the Virginia Lakes Road. Some entirely green sections of trees on the north side of Big Virginia. Should be perfect in the coming week.
Conway Summit (8,143) – Patchy (10-50%) – Still very green down below. Closer to 10% with some groves up higher, near 50%, but you’ll need a long lens to capture them from US 395.
Summers Meadow (7,200′) – Just Starting (0-10%) – There’s better color up high near Tamarack, if you have an 4×4.

LOBDELL / SONORA PASS/ WALKER / COLEVILLE / TOPAZ

Lobdell Lake Road (9,274′) – Patchy (10-50%) – Just starting along the road with the best color just below the lake.
Sonora Pass (9,623′) – Patchy (10-50%)
Monitor Pass (8,314′) – Just Starting (0-10%)
West Walker River, Walker, Coleville and Topaz (5,200′) – Just Starting (0-10%)