Momentous Change in Mono

Colors are making a stunning appearance in Mono County according to color spotters. After a welcome rise in temperatures this week, the gorgeous weather set the scene for bright and sunny fall photos.

For those planning a visit to this area in the coming days, we highly recommend scenic drives around Rock Creek, Tioga Pass, and Sagehen Summit. These higher-elevation areas are leading the way with vibrant displays. Others such as Lobdell Lake, Virginia Lakes, and Monitor Pass are beautiful patchworks of color and changing by the minute. These locations are nearing the peak of their color change and will enter the “Go Now” category very soon.

As we move into October, attention will shift to lower elevations, where favorites such as Convict Lake, the June Lake Loop, and Twin Lakes (Bridgeport) will soon begin to display their autumn beauty.

The fall season is off to a magnificent start in the Eastern Sierra, with the progression of colors ramping up in the coming weeks!

WALKER / COLEVILLE / TOPAZ 
Monitor Pass (8,314′) — 10-50% Patchy. A mosaic of colors! 
West Walker River, Walker, Coleville & Topaz (5,200′) — 0%
Sonora Pass (9,623′) — 10-50% Patchy. Mostly green with some color near the top of the pass. 
Lobdell Lake Road (9,274′) — 10-50% Patchy. A few spots are near peak on the road up to the lake, with bright yellows, orange, and a bit of red. However, the majority of trees in this area are just starting to turn and mostly light green. Please plan accordingly: AWD or 4WD recommended, no restrooms, no trash removal. 

BRIDGEPORT / VIRGINIA LAKES
Twin Lakes (7,000′) — 0-10% Just Starting. A few trees around the lake starting to show but still mostly green, while the upper elevations are speckled with beautiful colors – a gorgeous backdrop for the Ridge Rambler Half Marathon this weekend (Saturday 9/28). 
Virginia Lakes (9,819’) — 10-50% Patchy.  It’s still mostly green on the road leading up to Virginia Lakes, but there a colorful patches around Virginia Lakes Resort, Trumbull Lake Campground, and Big and Little Virginia Lakes. Virginia Lakes Resort closes for the season on October 7 – enjoy breakfast or lunch there soon!
Conway Summit (8,143) — 0-10% Just Starting.
Summers Meadow (7,200′) — 0%-10% Just Starting. 

LEE VINING
Tioga Pass (9,943′) — 50-75% Near Peak (Go Now!) The area has crossed into the “Go Now” category but just barely. A beautiful spot to see now, or very soon!
Lee Vining Canyon (6,781′) — 0-10% Just Starting.
Lundy Lake & Canyon (7,858′) — 0-10% Just Starting. Lots of limey green! This area should be snowing more change very soon. Please note, the single-lane dirt road to the trailhead is rough in spots, with some large ruts and puddles – should be fine for most vehicles but please drive slowly and carefully. There are two porta-potties at the trailhead and two near Lundy Lake Resort (LLR does not have public restrooms). There is no trash removal from this area – whatever you pack in must be packed out. Please plan accordingly. 

BENTON & 120 EAST 
Sagehen Summit (8,139’) — 75-100% Peaking (GO NOW!) The summit here is peaking and bright orange, earning it a spot in the “GO NOW” category.  Please plan accordingly: AWD or 4WD recommended, no restrooms, no trash removal. 

JUNE LAKE LOOP
June Lake Loop/Hwy 158 (7,654′) — 0-10% Just Starting. Higher elevations are showing color, especially around the Parker Bench. Hiker should head to Parker Lake and/or Walker Lake. The drive through the town of June Lake has a variety of color already but for the loop overall, the aspens are just beginning to turn lime green with occasional splashes of yellow. Don’t miss June Lake’s Leaves in the Loop event, which happens right when colors should be peaking there, October 11-13. 

MAMMOTH LAKES 
Mammoth Lakes Basin (8,996′) — 10-50% Patchy. Colors within the Lakes Basin are moving right along, coming in closer to 50%. Aspen have changed from mostly lime green to fuller patches of yellow, while some even have a bit of orange at their tops.

CROWLEY LAKE/MCGEE CREEK/CONVICT LAKE
McGee Creek Canyon (8,600’) — 10-50% Patchy. Very green along the road and around the campground and pack station. Near the trailhead , but if you keep going back in the canyon you will discover quite a bit more fall color in the upper elevations. 
Crowley community (6,781′) — 0-10% Just Starting. Some bright oranges in the hills above, but mostly green around the community.
Convict Lake (7850′) — 0-10% Just Starting. Some trees here are showing off fall color, but, for the most part, this area needs more time for the aspens to make the colorful transition.

ROCK CREEK CANYON
Rock Creek Road (9,600’) — 50-75% Near Peak (Go Now!) As one of the highest paved roads in California, Rock Creek Road climbs almost 3,000′ in about 10 miles – so, understandably, colors can vary wildly from top to bottom. Upper Elevation: While there are some oranges as you near the Mosquito Flat Trailhead, that upper section of the road is mostly past-peak, the cold storm last week zapped those leaves to brown. But, incredibly, there are unscathed lime greens and yellows just up the trail. Middle Elevation: Around the lake and pack station was a mix of bright and dull yellows when we visited on 9/23, but pictures from Rock Creek Lakes Resort on 9/25 show this area quickly nearing peak! Lower Elevation: From 395 up to the lake, you’ll find an incredibly varied landscape – still lots of green (the big groves that “tunnel” along the road were green on 9/23), with pops of yellow and orange mixed in and speckling the hillside. If you’re coming this weekend, GO here for a beautiful array of colors. If not, don’t fret, there’s more to come. Stop into Rock Creek Lakes Resort for a tasty breakfast or lunch before they close for the season on October 14.