Jumping for Joy
They’re jumping for joy in Mono County where everything above 8,500′ is popping.
Rock Creek Lake, Virginia Lakes and Sagehen Summit are at full peak. They will likely be past peak next week, but for the moment these locations are dressed in deep yellow and orange, inviting fans of fall color to GO NOW!
The Mammoth Lakes basin also reached Near Peak (75-100%) this week with colors happening around the lakes and trails leading to higher elevations.
Many other locations throughout Mono County are progressing rapidly through the 50-75% Near Peak category. They include Sonora Pass, Lobdell Lake Road, Bodie Hills, Conway Summit, Summers Meadows Road, Tioga Pass, and McGee Creek Canyon. This means, there is a gorgeous mix of emerald green, lime, lemony yellow, amber, gold, philamont, saffron, copper, carrot orange, rust, auburn, maroon, rose, vermilion and scarlet in their woods.
Most other locations in the county, including Lundy Canyon, are Patchy but developing quickly and should be Near Peak by the end of next week. This means there’s at least three more weeks of peak color ahead in Mono County.
UPDATE 10/7
Conway Summit is Near Peak and Peak, but also Past Peak and Just Starting. Confusing? Yeah, that’s fall color at this location. Go now and you’ll see beautiful color, and if you can’t go now it’ll continue to peak for a week or two more.
Here’s a shot taken by Steve Arita on 10/6. It kinda explains it all, doesn’t it?
ROCK CREEK CANYON
- Upper Rock Creek Road (9,600′) – PEAK (75-100%) GO NOW! – Groves surrounding Rock Creek Lake and up into the Little Lakes Valley are at full peak and glorious.
- Middle Rock Creek Road (8,500′) – Near Peak (50-75%) Go Now. – Mixed color of full peak and still green.
- Lower Rock Creek Road (7,500′) – Patchy (10-50%)
CROWLEY LAKE/MCGEE CREEK, CONVICT LAKE
- Crowley Lake (6,781′) – Just Starting (0-10%)
- Crowley Community (6,949′) – Patchy to Near Peak (10-75%) Go Now. – The community is nearing 50%, but the mountain slopes above town are peaking.
- McGee Creek Canyon (8,600′) – Near Peak (50-75%) Go Now. – The McGee Creek trail is a beautiful hike with a lovely mix of green, yellow, orange and red. It’s mostly yellow at the campgrounds, then increases in variety as you climb.
- Convict Lake (7,850′) – Patchy (10-50%) – Convict Lake just missed being categorized as Near Peak. There’s lots of color, but not enough to yet place it as peaking.
JUNE LAKE LOOP
- June Lake Loop (7,654′) – Patchy (10-50%) – The color is progressing nicely at June Lake. Next week, it should be approaching Near Peak, but it’s not yet ready. Plan to visit between Oct. 15 and 23.
BENTON & 120 EAST
- Sagehen Summit (8,139’) – Peak to Past Peak, GO NOW, You Almost Missed It. – Only a few days remain until Sagehen Meadows is past peak. It’s losing leaves steadily, but remains good. There are no services or restrooms at this location, so plan ahead.
LEE VINING / LUNDY
- Tioga Pass (9,943′) – Near Peak (50-75%) Go Now. – Now’s a good time to drive over Tioga Pass with brilliant color in the high country, but still patches of green throughout.
- Lee Vining Canyon (6,781′) – Patchy (10-50%) – Nice color is just starting to show in the canyon.
- Lundy Lake & Canyon (7,858′) – Patchy (10-50%) – This is always a great hike, so if you go this week, you won’t be disappointed. Though, it’s gonna get better every day. In a week it should be unforgettable.
BRIDGEPORT / VIRGINIA LAKES / DUNDERBERG / SUMMERS
- Twin Lakes (7,000′) – Just Starting (0-10%) – Give it two more weeks.
- Bodie Hills (9,419′) – Near Peak (50-75%) Go Now. – Groves near four corners remain near peak with lower elevations still green.
- Virginia Lakes (9,819’) – PEAK (75 -100%) GO NOW! – This is last call for the Virginia Lakes. There are green areas up the road, but at the lake and beyond, it’s peaking or now past peak.
- Conway Summit (8,143) – Near Peak (50-75%) Go Now. – The upper sections are at peak, though you’ll need a telephoto lens to pull them in. Mixed colors are found near US 395.
- Summers Meadow (7,200′) – Near Peak (50-75%) Go Now. – Peaking up high with mixed colors nearer the highway.
LOBDELL / SONORA PASS/ WALKER / COLEVILLE / TOPAZ
- Lobdell Lake Road (9,274′) – Near Peak (50-75%) Go Now. – Great groves with color while other sections are still very green.
- Sonora Pass (9,623′) – Near Peak (50-75%) Go Now. – Good color at Levitt Meadows while the rest remains pretty mixed.
- Monitor Pass (8,314′) – Patchy (10-50%) – Still green sections at the summit and on the east side of the pass.
- West Walker River, Walker, Coleville and Topaz (5,200′) – Just Starting (0-10%)
