Areas in Inyo County at high elevations such as Bishop Creek Canyon are beginning to see changes and the cold weather this week should continue to move things along. Above South Lake and at Weir Pond conditions are getting Near Peak at 50-75%.
Please note that some fall color viewing areas have limited parking and rough roads. Please be courteous and kind and remember to recreate responsibly. Do not create your own parking spots and do not park in the middle of the road to take your picture. If an area seems crowded, think about finding another spot.
SOUTHERN INYO COUNTY
- Lone Pine (3,727′) – No report.
- Alabama Hills (4,534′) – Still waiting
- Whitney Portal (8,375′) – No report.
- Mt Whitney Trail (8,360′ to 14,505”) – No report, but colors likely above 9,000’.
- Independence (3,930′) -Still waiting.
- Onion Valley (9,600′) – No report.
- Big Pine Creek (7,660′) – No report.
- Big Pine (3,989′) – Still waiting
BISHOP CREEK CANYON
Bishop Creek Canyon is starting. There are a few oranges and bright yellow patches, and a yellow hue to many of the trees, but mostly green up there. Definitely yellows up above 9,700’. There is a lot of rabbitbrush blooming on the way up Highway 168. There are still a few wildflowers up in the high country and some, such as lupine, can even be found on the road to Lake Sabrina.
SOUTH FORK, BISHOP CREEK
- South Lake (9,768′) – Starting (0-10%) (above South Lake is 50-75% – Near Peak (Go Now!)
- Weir Pond (9,650′) – 50-75% – Near Peak (Go Now!) (closer to 50%)
- Parcher’s Resort (9,260′) – Patchy (10-50%)
- Willow Campground (9,000′) -Still waiting.
- Surveyor’s Meadow (8,975′) – Patchy (10-50%) Some beautiful yellows here, but still plenty of green to the right of the parking lot.
- Table Mountain Camp (8,900′) – Starting (0-10%)
- Mountain Glen Camp (8,850′) – Starting (0-10%)
- Mist Falls and the Groves Above Bishop Creek Lodge (8,350′) – Still waiting
- Four Jeffries (8,000′) – Still waiting.
MIDDLE FORK, BISHOP CREEK
- Lake Sabrina (9,150′) -Patchy (10-50%). There are patches that have already peaked above the lake and plenty of yellows around the lake, so closer to 50%.
- Sabrina Approach (9,100′) – Starting (0-10%)
- Sabrina Campground (9,000′) – Still waiting
- Groves Above Cardinal Village (8,550′) – Starting (0-10%)
- Intake II (8,000′) – Starting (0-10%)
- Big Trees Campground (7,800′) – Still waiting.
BISHOP
- Bishop (4,150′) – Patchy (10-50%) Yellows in the upper parts of the cottonwoods.
- Buckley Ponds (4,150′) – Just starting (0-10%)
- Rawson Ponds (4,150′) – Just Starting (0-10%)
- Owens Valley (4,000′) – Patchy (10-50%) Yellows in the upper parts of the cottonwoods.
NORTHERN INYO COUNTY
- 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′) – Patchy (10-50%)
