Inyo County: Satisfaction Guaranteed

Mtn Glen 10 8 24 3 Copy
Mountain Glen (10/8/24) Betsy Forsyth/Visit Bishop

“It definitely felt like fall in Bishop Creek Canyon today (10/8/24),” said Betsy Forsyth with Visit Bishop.

A gray day up there, with sprinkles on and off and a temperature around 55 degrees, brought out lots of fisherpeople at Intake II and along the creeks. The wind was blowing but only enough to rustle the leaves and gently knock a few down. Forsyth took advantage of the photo opportunity.

“One of my favorite parts about my time up there yesterday was taking the close-up shots of the fallen leaves,” she said. “Just wandering around and really looking at all of the colors and shapes is really a different and satisfying way to enjoy the colors.”

It was an enjoyable experience, despite the fact that many of the areas in the canyon are past peak. Some spots, however, such as Mist Falls are near peak and still worthy of a visit and fabulous fall photo, so don’t take this canyon of your list just yet!

Southern Inyo County

  • Lone Pine (3,727′) – Patchy (10-50%)
  • Alabama Hills (4,534′) – Patchy (10-50%)
  • Whitney Portal (8,375′) – No report.
  • Mt Whitney Trail (8,360′ to 14,505”)Past peak, you missed it.
  • Independence (3,930′) -Patchy (10-50%)
  • Onion Valley (9,600′) – No report.
  • Big Pine Creek (7,660′) – 50-75% – Near Peak (Go Now.)
  • Big Pine (3,989′) – Patchy (10-50%)

Bishop Creek Canyon

If you are hoping to see colors in Bishop Creek Canyon then GO NOW!! Colors are changing very quickly up there. There are mixed stands of green aspen with vibrant yellow stands near the Mist Falls (across from Bishop Creek Lodge) and Mountain Glen Campground. Four Jeffrey Campground has somehow peaked and yet still has lots of greens. Anything higher than Mountain Glen is past peak.

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′) – 50-75% – Near Peak (Go Now.)
  • Mist Falls and the Groves Above Bishop Creek Lodge (8,350′) – 50-75% – Near Peak (Go Now.)
  • Four Jeffries (8,000′) – Patchy (10-50%)

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′) – 50-75% – Near Peak (Go Now.)
  • Intake II (8,000′) – 50-75% – Near Peak (Go Now.)
  • Big Trees Campground (7,800′) – Patchy (10-50%)

Bishop

  • Bishop (4,150′) – Patchy (10-50%) Yellows in the upper parts of the cottonwoods.
  • Buckley Ponds (4,150′) – Patchy (10-50%)
  • Rawson Ponds (4,150′) – Patchy (10-50%)
  • Owens Valley (4,000′) – Patchy (10-50%)

Northern Inyo County
Pine Creek still has a ways to go. The aspen at the top of the canyon, near the pack station, are turning but the cottonwoods throughout the canyon are still mostly green, with more yellows than last week. 

  • 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′) – 50-75% – Near Peak (Go Now.) (The aspens are turning now, but the cottonwoods and other trees up there are still mostly green.)

ABOUT

California Fall Color

CaliforniaFallColor.com is a seasonal news site that reports on autumn’s show throughout California. The site is written, edited and published by Lara Kaylor, a travel and outdoor journalist based in Mammoth Lakes, Calif.

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