,

Still Inspiring in Inyo

Round Valley (10/18/23) Betsy Forsyth

As of October 18, fall is still happening in Inyo County and the Owens Valley is absolutely beautiful right now, according to color spotter Betsy Forsyth. This weekend will most likely be your last chance, so GO NOW!

South Lake (10/18/23) Betsy Forsyth

Bishop Creek Canyon is almost all at peak or past peak. It was beautiful on Oct. 18, but a strong wind could definitely change the scene very quickly, as many of the trees are fully yellow and ready to drop their leaves soon. There are still a few green trees up there, but for the most part, these are likely the final days to catch much of the color in the area. The majority of North Lake and the surrounding area is past peak. There is still a little bit of color to emerge on the north slope of the lake, but just a bit. From the North Lake Rd up to Sabrina, there are still pockets of color mixed in with areas that are past peak. The best peak color to be seen is on South Lake Rd around Mist Falls (above and below) and will not last long, maybe not into next week. 

Pine Creek Canyon on the other hand has some beautiful colors right now. Aspens and Cottonwoods are mixed together all along Pine Creek up to the Italy Pass Trailhead. 

Southern Inyo County

Lots of yellows on the cottonwoods in the valleys and aspen in the high country. 

  • Lone Pine (3,727′) – (10-50%)
  • Alabama Hills (4,534′) – 50-75% – Near Peak (Go Now!)
  • Whitney Portal (8,375′) – Peak/Past Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
  • Mt Whitney Trail (8,360′ to 14,505”) – Peak/Past Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
  • Independence (3,930′) -(10-50%)
  • Onion Valley (9,600′) – (10-50%)
  • Big Pine Creek (7,660′) – 50-75% – Near Peak (Go Now!)
  • Big Pine (3,989′) – (10-50%)

Bishop Creek Canyon

Bishop Creek Canyon is almost all at peak or past peak. There are a few small areas of green leaves, but pretty much all of the trees have yellow leaves on them, or have dropped all of their leaves. That said, there are some really beautiful spots. The warmer temperatures are coming to an end this weekend, and a big wind will definitely blow most of the color onto the ground, so hurry if you are hoping to catch colors up here. 

South Fork, Bishop Creek

  • South Lake (9,768′) – Peak/Past Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! 
  • Weir Pond (9,650′) – Peak/Past Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! 
  • Parcher’s Resort (9,260′) –  Near Peak (50-75%) Go Now.
  • Willow Campground (9,000′) – Past peak, you missed it.  
  • Surveyor’s Meadow (8,975′) – Past peak, you missed it. 
  • Table Mountain Camp (8,900′) – Past peak, you missed it. 
  • Mountain Glen Camp (8,850′) – Near Peak (50-75%) Go Now. Some of the trees have peaked here, but there is still a lot of beautiful color to be found. 
  • Mist Falls and the Groves Above Bishop Creek Lodge (8,350′) – Peak/Past Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! There are still a few greens, but most of the aspen are peaking and  very near past peak now. 
  • Four Jeffries (8,000′) – Peak/Past Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! This area changed so much in the past week! Right above Four Jeffries there are still some green stands of aspen, but probably not for long. 
Owens Valley (10/17/23) Betsy Forsyth

Middle Fork, Bishop Creek

  • Lake Sabrina (9,150′) – Peak/Past Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! There are still colors up at Lake Sabrina! They may not last for long, so hurry!
  • Sabrina Approach (9,100′) – Peak/Past Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!  
  • Sabrina Campground (9,000′) – Past peak, you missed it.  
  • Groves Above Cardinal Village (8,550′) – Peak/Past Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! The upper part of the canyon above Cardinal Village is past peak, while the lower part is at peak. Again, beautiful, but likely not going to last very long. 
  • Intake II (8,000′) – Peak/Past Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! This area really is mostly past peak. There are still leaves on many of the trees, but falling quickly. There is a beautiful section of trees past the lake near the campground. 
  • Big Trees Campground (7,800′) – Near Peak (50-75%) Go Now. The top of the canyon is at peak, while the lower areas of Big Trees still has yellows and greens. 

Bishop

  • Bishop (4,150′) – Near Peak (50-75%) Go Now. Closer to 50%, Many of the trees in town have some yellows, especially in the upper sections of the trees. There are some trees that have quite a bit of color to them. It’s quite beautiful!!
  • Buckley Ponds (4,150′) – Near Peak (50-75%) Go Now.
  • Rawson Ponds (4,150′) – Near Peak (50-75%) Go Now.
  • Owens Valley (4,000′) – Near Peak (50-75%) Go Now. Yellows in the upper parts of many the cottonwoods throughout the Owens Valley. Some trees are almost completely yellow. It’s really beautiful. 

Northern Inyo County

  • Lower Rock Creek Rd (7,087′) – Peak/Past Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
  • Round Valley (4,692′) – Near Peak (50-75%) Go Now. It’s really beautiful throughout the Owens Valley. There are yellows in most of the upper parts of the cottonwoods. The rabbit brush is beautiful as well (so long as it’s not causing your allergies to flare up 😉 !)
  • Lower Pine Creek Canyon (7,000′) – Near Peak (50-75%) Go Now. There are more yellows throughout the canyon. Still some green trees as well.  
  • Pine Creek Pack Station (7,.400′) – Peak/Past Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! This canyon is beautiful. There are beautiful yellow aspen at the top, and everything else along the way is mostly yellow, with a few green aspen groves still holding onto their green. 
/by