June is Busting Out!
Mono County color spotter Jeff Simpson could hardly contain his excitement, when he reported today that the June Lake Loop is now peaking. He called it, in a moment of understandable hyperbole, “The moment most of you have been waiting for.”
He continued, “Throw a rock in any direction (in Mono County) and you’re likely to hit a grove of peaking aspen,” noting that this year’s display “is vibrant and has stuck around for longer than any other in recent memory.” Agreed on all counts.
The June Lake Loop is one of the most anticipated peaks in California because of its jaw-dropping combination of deeply golden and orange aspen, ringing blue lakes, and at the base of towering mountains.
Until now, California’s autumn show benefitted from a warm start that gradually cooled resulting in an everlasting display. However, there’s cause for concern in the Eastern Sierra and Jeff voiced it, reporting, “A storm is forecast to enter … this weekend.” 20 to 30 mph winds are predicted.
The storm is forecast to arrive late Friday. One to two inches of snow might fall on mountain passes (Tioga, Sonora and Monitor), which could close temporarily.
He cautioned Mono County color spotters to bring jackets if visiting this weekend. What this means for fall color there is that the highest elevations are likely to be past peak by next week. That means this is probably the last weekend to see peak at Conway Summit, Sonora Pass, Monitor Pass and on Lobdell Lake Rd.
However, the show will continue at Convict Lake, June Lakes and Lundy Lake Rd, which, while peaking, have enough freshly turned leaves to survive a pelting. Further, as the storm clears, stunning autumn color sunset photographs will be possible on Sunday, particularly at Twin Lakes, near Bridgeport.
So, if ever there was a time to GO NOW, this is it!
Rock Creek Canyon
- Middle Rock Creek Road (8,500′) – PEAK to Past Peak, Go Now, you almost missed it.
- Lower Rock Creek Road (7,500′) – PEAK (75-100%) GO NOW! – The best color is found around Tom’s Plaxe and US 395
Crowley Lake/Mcgee Creek, Convict Lake
- Crowley Community (6,949′) – PEAK (75-100%) GO NOW! – The community of Crowley is dressed in its autumn best. Great color is seen everywhere.
- McGee Creek Canyon (8,600′) – PEAK (75-100%) GO NOW! – There is a mix of color in McGee Creek Canyon, with Peak at the campground near US 395 and a blend of Peak and Past Peak groves all the way to the top.
- Convict Lake (7,850′) – PEAK (75-100%) GO NOW! – This is the week to visit Convict Lake. There’s beautiful color all around the lake.
Mammoth Lakes
- Mammoth Lakes (7,881′) – PEAK (75-100%) GO NOW! – The Town is gorgeous, with lots of color along Snow Creek.
- Mammoth Lakes Basin (8,996′) – Past Peak, You Missed It.
June Lake Loop
- June Lake Loop (7,654′) – PEAK (75-100%) GO NOW! – June is busting out all over! The June Lake Loop is one of the most appreciated fall color peaks in California. It’s now prime. It will remain good for two weeks, but go now, as colder weather is arriving and anything can happen to spoil the beauty. June Lake is declared PEAK OF THE WEEK and DRIVE OF THE WEEK.
Lee Vining / Lundy
- Tioga Pass (9,943′) – Past Peak, You Missed It.
- Lee Vining Canyon (6,781′) – PEAK (75-100%) GO NOW! – Brilliant colors are appearing in the canyon, presently. There are peaking aspen everywhere to be seen.
- Lundy Lake & Canyon (7,858′) – PEAK (75-100%) GO NOW! –
Bridgeport / Virginia Lakes / Dunderberg / Summers
- Twin Lakes (7,000′) – Near Peak (50-75%) Go Now. – This should be a fabulous location for dramatic sky photography, as the weekend storm clears.
- Bodie Hills (9,419′) – Past Peak, You Missed It.
- Virginia Lakes (9,819’) – Past Peak, You Missed It.
- Conway Summit (8,143) – PEAK (75-100%) GO NOW! – A lot of Conway Summit is past peak, but there’s still so much deep orange color that it’s a stunner. Only a few days remain at this location.
- Summers Meadow (7,200′) PEAK (75-100%) GO NOW! – Summers Meadow is incredible from top to bottom. Go Now, as this is the last weekend of peak at this location. It should be past peak by Wednesday of next week.
Lobdell / Sonora Pass/ Walker / Coleville / Topaz
- Lobdell Lake Road (9,274′) – PEAK to Past Peak, Go now, you almost missed it. – Only a few groves remain from what was two weeks of spectacular peak.
- Molybdenite Creek Trail (7,865′) – PEAK to Past Peak, Go now, you almost missed it.
- Sonora Pass (9,623′) – PEAK to Past Peak, Go now, you almost missed it. – Last call.
- Monitor Pass (8,314′) – PEAK to Past Peak, Go now, you almost missed it. – Last call.
- West Walker River, Walker, Coleville and Topaz (5,200′) – Near Peak (50-75%) Go Now.– As predicted, the Antelope Valley is nearing peak.. The best colors are found along the West Walker River, north of Sonora Junction. Cottonwood leaves in Walker and Coleville will easily survive the coming weekend storm and should be peaking the first week of November. This is a beautiful boulevard of native color.
