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The Wait is Over

Early Changes, Convict Lake (9/9/23) Samantha Lindberg

While the autumn equinox is still more than a week away fall colors are being spotted in Mono County and we have received our first reports. It seems the wait is over and things are beginning to change.

Things are just getting started with only a couple of locations showing lime-green to yellow leaves, reports color spotter Jeff Simpson. Sagehen Summit, Virginia Lakes, and Rock Creek Lake are always the first areas to change and that’s no exception this year. All three locations are in the 0-10% category and are just getting going with a few changing leaves at the highest elevations. 

To Simpson’s surprise, Convict Lake and McGee Creek in the Eastern Sierra were also showing signs of autumn with a few groves of yellow (and even orange) color at the south end of Convict Lake. These areas traditionally peak in mid-October so keep your eye out for an early season there. Both locations are also in the 0-10% category.

  • Rock Creek Lake (9,705’) – Just Starting (0-10%)
  • Virginia Lakes (9,819’) – Just Starting (0-10%)
  • Convict Lake (7,850′) – Just Starting (0-10%)
  • Sagehen Summit (8,139′) – Just Starting (0-10%)
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