Ooh, Ahhh!

With “twirling blankets of leaves … lining the footpaths,” at Rock Creek Lake and the road up to the lake full of color, Julie Kirby was inspired to exclaim, “ooh, ahhh!!!”

 

She notes that near the boat launch trees are now losing their leaves and vibrance, though wonders if the canyons are less vibrant than previously, expressing disappointment over the color at the entrance to McGee Creek Canyon where aspen that wore deep red last year are now, “dark motley green, with some reds.”

 

The big plus this autumn is the lack of smoke in the air. Presently, the EPA has the Air Quality Index at Good  (41) in Mammoth Lakes. Though, Julie wonders if “maybe the smoke helped turn on the reds last year,” at Surveyor’s Meadow along the South Fork of Bishop Creek (Inyo County), as “the same trees are just pale orange this year.” 

 

For those heading to Convict Lake, hold off. Photos previously submitted are deceiving. Julie reports this location is still mostly green with patches of yellow and brown willows. Construction along the lake edge has put parking at a premium. 

 

Patches of yellow have begun appearing along the June Lake Loop, with yellow aspen  near Silver Lake. The best color along the loop is found at Grant Lake, on the straight away before Siver Lake where trees are Near Peak.

 

Similarly, Kirby reports that near the power station, south of the Silver Lake Resort, the little park there is 70% yellow, but at the resort itself, it’s still Patchy with lots of green.

 

Still, the June Lake Loop is worth the drive, as from US 395 to Silver Lake,  fresh “autumn color can be seen cascading down the face of the mountain near the road.” We rate it as Patchy, but sure to be impressive once it peaks.