Owens Valley Aglow in Inyo
As expected, as of October 25, the fall colors in the high country of Inyo County are pretty much done. However, colors in the Owens Valley, including the Bishop area, are spectacular! To top it off, the incoming weather brought in amazing clouds this week making for some amazing images, according to color spotter Betsy Forsyth. Plan your visit to this special place in the next 7-10 days.
Southern Inyo County
The Valley is ablaze with yellow!! Between the cottonwoods and the rabbit brush, it can feel like fields of gold.
- Lone Pine (3,727′) – Near Peak (50-75%) Go Now.
- Alabama Hills (4,534′) – 50-75% – Near Peak (Go Now!)
- Whitney Portal (8,375′) – Past peak, you missed it.
- Mt Whitney Trail (8,360′ to 14,505”) – Past peak, you missed it.
- Independence (3,930′) – 50-75% – Near Peak (Go Now!)
- Onion Valley (9,600′) – 50-75% – Near Peak (Go Now!)
- Big Pine Creek (7,660′) – Past peak, you missed it.
- Big Pine (3,989′) – 50-75% – Near Peak (Go Now!)
Bishop Creek Canyon
Bishop Creek Canyon is pretty much past peak. There are a few aspen groves holding onto some green leaves, but for the most part it is lots of leafless trees. With a cold front moving into the area, the best colors will be at the lower elevations like the Owens Valley.
South Fork, Bishop Creek
- South Lake (9,768′) – Past peak, you missed it.
- Weir Pond (9,650′) – Past peak, you missed it.
- Parcher’s Resort (9,260′) – Peak/Past Peak (75-100%) 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′) – Past peak, you missed it.
- Mist Falls and the Groves Above Bishop Creek Lodge (8,350′) – Past peak, you missed it.
- Four Jeffries (8,000′) – Peak/Past Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! Right above Four Jeffries there are still a couple of stands of aspen that are covered in beautiful yellow/orange leaves, but probably not for long.
Middle Fork, Bishop Creek
- Lake Sabrina (9,150′) –Past peak, you missed it.
- Sabrina Approach (9,100′) – Past peak, you missed it.
- Sabrina Campground (9,000′) – Past peak, you missed it.
- Groves Above Cardinal Village (8,550′) – Past peak, you missed it.
- Intake II (8,000′) – Past peak, you missed it.
- Big Trees Campground (7,800′) – Peak/Past Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! The top of the canyon is past peak, while the lower areas of Big Trees still has some yellows.
Bishop
Bishop and the Owens Valley are really beautiful right now.
- Bishop (4,150′) – Near Peak (50-75%) Go Now. Bishop has a nice variety of trees in various stages of their fall colors. City Park will be a great spot to visit in the coming week.
- Buckley Ponds (4,150′) – Peak/Past Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
- Rawson Ponds (4,150′) – Peak/Past Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
- Owens Valley (4,000′) – Peak/Past Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! Most of the trees in the Owens Valley have fall colors on parts or all of them. There are still some green trees, so the colors will continue for a bit, depending on what effect this coming cold front has on them. That said, the Owens Valley is REALLY BEAUTIFUL as of 10/25/23!
Northern Inyo County
- Lower Rock Creek Rd (7,087′) – Past peak, you missed it.
- Round Valley (4,692′) – Peak/Past Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! It’s really beautiful throughout the Owens Valley. There are yellows in most of the the cottonwoods and poplars. The rabbit brush is still out there creating more yellows throughout the Valley.
- Lower Pine Creek Canyon (7,000′) – Past peak, you missed it
- Pine Creek Pack Station (7,.400′) – Peak/Past Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! This canyon still has lots of yellows throughout. The aspen at the top of the canyon are past peak, and the cottonwoods and other trees along the creek are peaking now. There are still some trees lower in the canyon that will be turning soon.
