Good Things Come to Those Who Wait
As everyone knows, Mother Nature is her own force on her own program, unbothered by human expectations. So it comes as no surprise that she is following her own timeline this year and delaying fall colors until she is good and ready.
Mono County color spotter Jeff Simpson put it best today when he said, “We’re officially FALLing behind schedule! This time last year we had locations in full peak with orange and yellow leaves covering the entire landscape. Flip the calendar to the same weekend in 2023 and those locations are still mostly green.”
Sagehen Summit, one of the areas in the Eastern Sierra that usually kicks off the fall color season is still mostly green this week. A few other areas in Mono County, such as Rock Creek Canyon in Mono County at starting to see change in the patchy range. Right now Virginia Lakes is the only area that is 50%+, however Rock Creek is close behind and will definitely be in the 50-70% range by next report if not sooner.
Bishop Creek Canyon and Lake Sabrina are also getting started this week, according to color spotter Betsy Forsyth.
“The lakes are full and the colors are starting. There are a few patches of orange and yellow, but mostly green still, or green with a yellow hue to it.”
What all of this means is that the best is yet to come; and isn’t it nice, in today’s busy world, to have more time for something rather than less? It seems Mother Nature might just know what she is doing.
MONO COUNTY
WALKER / COLEVILLE / TOPAZ
Monitor Pass (8,314′) 0-10% – Just starting with color changes at the summit of the pass.
West Walker River, Walker, Coleville and Topaz (5,200′) 0-10% Some leaves changing in Walker Canyon with this area usually peaking the last week of October.
Sonora Pass (9,623′) 0-10% Small changes at the highest elevations.
Lobdell Lake Road (9,274′) 0-10% This location should be in the 10-50% or more by next week. (The road has been repaired but AWD/4WD is highly recommended.)
BRIDGEPORT / VIRGINIA LAKES
Twin Lakes (7,000′) 0-10% just a few leaves around each lake at this point.
Bodie Hills (9,419′) 0-10% Small changes at the highest elevations. (Some sections of road have been washed out from the spring runoff. AWD/4WD is highly recommended.)
Virginia Lakes (9,819’) 50-75% Near Peak: The best viewing location will be near the top along the road and around the lakes.
Conway Summit (8,143) 0-10% some yellow at the typical grove up the hill.
Summers Meadow (7,200′) 0-10% Some yellow and lime green happening at the top of the hill.
LEE VINING
Tioga Pass (9,943′) 10-50% Patchy – While there are few aspen trees in this area, you will still find fall color in the bushes and grasses with scenic views.
Lee Vining Canyon (6,781′) 0-10% Just Starting – Still just getting going with only a few leaves/trees changing.
Lundy Lake & Canyon (7,858′) 0-10% the start of fall is mostly happening up canyon along the trail if you want to hike on foot.
BENTON & 120 EAST
Sagehen Summit (8,139’) 10-50% Patchy – Virtually no change from last week. We were certain this location would be covered in orange and yellow leaves since it is always the first spot in California to go full peak. Stay tuned…. (There are no bathrooms located here. Please drive slowly long the paved and dirt sections to this locations as there are a lot of wild horses in the area)
JUNE LAKE LOOP
June Lake Loop/Hwy 158 (7,654′) 0-10% just starting with some yellow leaves on Parker Bench right now.
MAMMOTH LAKES
Mammoth Lakes Basin (8,996′) 10-50% Patchy – Colors within the Mammoth Lakes Basin are spreading throughout specially with the bushes. This is a great option for call colors right within Mammoth Lakes!
CROWLEY LAKE/McGEE CREEK/CONVICT LAKE
McGee Creek Canyon (8,600’) 10-50% Patchy Shades of yellows and lime are lining the river here, casting colors throughout the canyon. The best colors will be located on foot up the trail.
Around Crowley community (6,781′) 0-10% Some nice changes visible from US 395 yesterday. These colors will slowly cascade down the hill into the town area in the next few weeks.
Convict Lake (7850′) 10-50% Patchy – Golden and lime hues are lining the lakeside, creating an enchanting atmosphere. This location is a perfect choice for those seeking a leisurely stroll among the trees, as a scenic path winds its way along the back of the lake, immersing you in a lush canopy of changing leaves. Closer to 10% than 50%.
ROCK CREEK CANYON
Rock Creek Road (9,600’) 10-50% Patchy – If you take a drive-up Rock Creek, the whole canyon is now showing off colors of yellows/oranges. This location will certainly be in the 50-75% category by next report. (or sooner…)
INYO COUNTY
SOUTHERN INYO COUNTY
● Lone Pine (3,727′) – No report.
● Alabama Hills (4,534′) – Still waiting
● Whitney Portal (8,375′) – No report.
● Mt Whitney Trail (8,360′ to 14,505”) – No report.
● Independence (3,930′) -Still waiting.
● Onion Valley (9,600′) – No report.
● Big Pine Creek (7,660′) – No report.
● Big Pine (3,989′) – Still waiting
BISHOP CREEK CANYON
Bishop Creek Canyon is starting. There are a few oranges and bright yellow patches, and a yellow hue to many of the trees, but mostly green up there. There is lots of rabbitbrush blooming on the way up Highway 168. There are still wildflowers up in the high country and some can even be found on the road to Lake Sabrina! It will be interesting to see what the cooler temps later this week do.
SOUTH FORK, BISHOP CREEK
● South Lake (9,768′) – Starting (0-10%)
● Weir Pond (9,650′) – Still waiting
● Parcher’s Resort (9,260′) – Still waiting
● Willow Campground (9,000′) – Patchy (10-50%)
● Surveyor’s Meadow (8,975′) – Patchy (10-50%) Some beautiful yellows starting here, but still mostly green.
● Table Mountain Camp (8,900′) – Patchy (10-50%) Just starting with a yellow hue.
● Mountain Glen Camp (8,850′) – Patchy (10-50%) Some beautiful yellows starting here, but still mostly green.
● Mist Falls and the Groves Above Bishop Creek Lodge (8,350′) – Still waiting
● Four Jeffries (8,000′) – Patchy (10-50%)
MIDDLE FORK, BISHOP CREEK
● Lake Sabrina (9,150′) – Patchy (10-50%)
● Sabrina Approach (9,100′) – Starting (0-10%)
● Sabrina Campground (9,000′) – Still waiting
● Groves Above Cardinal Village (8,550′) – Starting (0-10%)
● Aspendell (8,400′) – Still waiting
● Intake II (8,000′) – Patchy (10-50%) Some orange and yellow here.
● Big Trees Campground (7,800′) – Starting (0-10%)
NORTH FORK, BISHOP CREEK
● North Lake (9,225′) – Starting (0-10%)
● North Lake Rd (9,000′) – Starting (0-10%)
BISHOP
● Bishop (4,150′) – Patchy (10-50%) Yellows in the upper parts of the cottonwoods.
● Buckley Ponds (4,150′) – Just starting (0-10%)
● Rawson Ponds (4,150′) – Just Starting (0-10%)
● Owens Valley (4,000′) – Patchy (10-50%) Yellows in the upper parts of the cottonwoods.
NORTHERN INYO COUNTY
● Lower Rock Creek Rd ((7,087′) – No report
● Round Valley (4,692′) – Patchy (10-50%)
● Lower Pine Creek Canyon (7,000′) – Patchy (10-50%)
● Pine Creek Pack Station (7,.400′) – Patchy (10-50%)
Great info, appreciate you taking the time to write this. Can’t wait to see how things pan out. Thank you!
Thank you for reading, Matt!
Planning our annual trip for fall leaves and this is such a helpful roundup! At this rate, seems like there will still be good stuff the weekend of 10/21, at least in June Lake Loop and similar elevations.
Thanks for reading, Lo! And yes, you should be good as long as the areas don’t receive too much cold weather/snow.
Hey thanks for this article, when do you suggest would be a good time to visit to get the best fall color view, oct 7th weekend? or oct 14th weekend?
Hi Sri Namburi, after this weekend’s weather I would recommend the weekend of Oct. 7 as things are changing quickly!