Bishop Creek and Beyond
“Layered” is a term one color spotter used to describe groves that peak in succession at a given elevation. The same term can be used to describe what’s happening in Bishop Creek Canyon. Though a given location is mostly past peak, some groves which had remained green are now peaking, creating an odd situation where beautiful peak color appears in a forest that is mostly bare branches.
This is happening above Parchers, at Table Mountain and the Mist Falls, at the Groves above Cardinal Village and Sabrina Approach. Once you get up[ to Lake Sabrina, only remnants of past peak can be seen, and it’s gone at North Lake.
Peak in the Bishop Creek Canyon is now found mostly between 8,000′ and 8,500′ presently, and it will soon be down to 7,500′. The best fall color is found in the lower South Fork, up to Mountain Glen Campground. In the Middle Fork, Intake II remains good, though Aspendell is where it’s best.
Temperatures are dropping this weekend, and the colder temps will speed the color process, so do not delay a last look at Bishop Creek Canyon. This is typical for Bishop Creek Canyon. In fact, one could argue this was the best early fall in years. The only negative was that it was warm which didn’t generate many reds.
Elsewhere in Inyo County, Onion Valley (west of Independence) is now past peak. North of Bishop, Lower Rock Creek – an exceptional mountain biking trail – is Near Peak.
Pine Creek Canyon (also north of Bishop) is approaching peak. This is one of the most beautiful canyons in the Eastern Sierra. It features the most impressive stand of Black cottonwood in the state and possibly anywhere in North America.
At peak (two weeks), its trees will form a ribbon of gold bending beside the creek to the foot of a sawtooth range that soars above the canyon.
Driving into Pine Creek Canyon for the first time is one of those, “OMG, I can’t believe I just found this” experiences. As breathtaking as this scene is, few color spotters ever submit photographs from Pine Creek (7,400′), possibly because the June Lake Loop (7,654′) has just peaked.
Aspen at Pine Creek Pack Station at the top of the valley are now Near Peak, the Black Cottonwood in the valley are still Patchy, but in a week to two, they will be stunning.
The Round Valley – passed through on the drive to Pine Creek Canyon – is still Patchy, though its tall cottonwood are gilded in the morning light.
Southern Inyo County
- Onion Valley (9,600′) – Past Peak, You Missed it.
- Big Pine Creek (7,660′) – Near Peak (50-75%) Go Now.
- Big Pine (3,989′) – Patchy (10-50%)
Bishop Creek Canyon
South Fork, Bishop Creek
- South Lake (9,768′) – Peak to Past Peak (75 – 100%) GO NOW, you almost missed it.
- Weir Pond (9,650′) – Past Peak, You Missed it.
- Parcher’s Resort (9,260′) – Peak to Past Peak (75 – 100%) GO NOW, you almost missed it.
- Willow Campground (9,000′) – Past Peak, You Missed it.
- Surveyor’s Meadow (8,975′) – Past Peak, You Missed it.
- Table Mountain Camp (8,900′) – Peak to Past Peak (75 – 100%) GO NOW, you almost missed it.
- Mountain Glen Camp (8,850′) – PEAK (75-100%) GO NOW!
- Mist Falls and the Groves Above Bishop Creek Lodge (8,350′) – PEAK (75-100%) GO NOW!
- Four Jeffries (8,000′) – PEAK (75-100%) GO NOW!
Middle Fork, Bishop Creek
- Lake Sabrina (9,150′) – Past Peak, You Missed it.
- Sabrina Approach (9,100′) – Peak to Past Peak (75 – 100%) GO NOW, you almost missed it.
- Sabrina Campground (9,000′) – Past Peak, You Missed it.
- Groves Above Cardinal Village (8,550′) — Peak to Past Peak (75 – 100%) GO NOW, you almost missed it.
- Aspendell (8,400′) – PEAK (75-100%) GO NOW!
- Intake II (8,000′) – PEAK (75-100%) GO NOW!
- Big Trees Campground (7,800′) – Near Peak (50-75%) Go Now.
North Fork, Bishop Creek
- North Lake (9,225′) – Past Peak, You Missed it.
- North Lake Rd (9,000′) – Past Peak, You Missed it.
Bishop
- Bishop (4,150′) – Patchy (10-50%)
- Buckley Ponds (4,150′) – Patchy (10-50%)
- Rawson Ponds (4,150′) – Patchy (10-50%)
- Owens Valley (4,000′) – Patchy (10-50%)
Northern Inyo County
- Lower Rock Creek Rd (7,087′) – Near Peak (50-75%) Go Now.
- Round Valley (4,692′) – Patchy (10-50%)
- Lower Pine Creek Canyon (7,000′) – Patchy (10-50%)
- Pine Creek Pack Station (7,400′) – Near Peak (50-75%) Go Now.
