Warm weather returned to California this week, making for some fabulous fall color photo opportunities. Color spotters were out in force gathering images and providing reports on the changes they are seeing.
Things were BEAUTIFUL up the Bishop Creek Canyon in Inyo County this past week. The yellows were covering the hillsides and the shorelines around Lake Sabrina and South Lake. The most colorful spot was up at Surveyors Meadow.
Many leaves are still green and waiting for their moment to shine, so don’t think you’ve missed out just yet on this location or others, but definitely don’t wait to make your plans.
Please remember that many of these areas have limited parking and rough roads. If you can, visiting mid-week is very peaceful and you’ll end up with fewer crowds at many locations.
Southern Inyo County
- Lone Pine (3,727′) – No report.
- Alabama Hills (4,534′) – Starting (0-10%)
- Whitney Portal (8,375′) – Patchy (10-50%)
- Mt Whitney Trail (8,360′ to 14,505”) – 50-75% – Near Peak (Go Now!)
- Independence (3,930′) -Still waiting.
- Onion Valley (9,600′) – No report.
- Big Pine Creek (7,660′) – Patchy (10-50%)
- Big Pine (3,989′) – Patchy (10-50%)
Bishop Creek Canyon
Bishop Creek Canyon is definitely experiencing fall colors. Lots of yellows up above 9,600’. Surveyor’s Meadow is vibrant with color right now. The trail around Lake Sabrina is also covered in yellow. Not to panic, though, as there are still lots of green aspen throughout both the road to Lake Sabrina and to South Lake. Other areas to check out are Pine Creek and Big Pine Creek, both of which have incredible colors during the fall.
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′) -Patchy (10-50% – closer to 15%)
- Surveyors Meadow (8,975′) – 50-75% – Near Peak (Go Now!)
- Table Mountain Camp (8,900′) – Patchy (10-50% – closer to 25%)
- Mountain Glen Camp (8,850′) – Patchy (10-50% – closer to 25%)
- Mist Falls and the Groves Above Bishop Creek Lodge (8,350′) – Starting (0-10%)
- Four Jeffries (8,000′) – Patchy (10-50% – overall general yellow hues)
Middle Fork, Bishop Creek
- Lake Sabrina (9,150′) –50-75% – Near Peak (Go Now!) There are patches that have already peaked above the lake and plenty of yellows around the lake.
- Sabrina Approach (9,100′) – Patchy (10-50%)
- Sabrina Campground (9,000′) – Starting (0-10%)
- Groves Above Cardinal Village (8,550′) – Patchy (10-50%)
- Intake II (8,000′) – Starting (0-10%)
- Big Trees Campground (7,800′) – Starting (0-10%)
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′) – Patchy (10-50%)
- 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%)
