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Inching Away in Inyo

Fading color and fading light around Bishop (11/1/23) Betsy Forsyth

As expected colors are winding down in Inyo County as of Nov. 1.

According to color spotter Betsy Forsyth, “the colors in town and Round Valley are still great, but it feels like the end is in sight. I still have Bishop at 50-75%, mostly because while driving around, there are still lots of green trees. There are also lots of yellow/golden leaves. That said, the yellows aren’t quite as bright in many areas. Past peak.”

“Maybe it’s just the upcoming time change that has me feeling the end of the brightness.”

Bishop City Park (11/1/23) Betsy Forsyth

Southern Inyo County

  • 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 past peak. There are a few aspen groves with a little color, but mostly fall has fallen up here. 

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′) –  Past peak, you missed it.
  • 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′) – Past peak, you missed it.

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′) – Past peak, you missed it.

Bishop
Bishop and the Owens Valley are really beautiful right now. Some of the trees are past peak, yet others still have a fair amount of green, so the fall colors are not over!

  • Bishop (4,150′) – Near Peak (50-75%) Go Now. Bishop has a nice variety of trees in various stages of their fall colors. 
  • 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, but the end is in sight. 

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 cottonwoods and poplars. 
  • Lower Pine Creek Canyon (7,000′) – Past peak, you missed it
  • Pine Creek Pack Station (7,.400′) – Peak/Past Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! 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 have some color to them. 
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