The magic of fall officially kicks off on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026 but the dazzling show has already begun in the Eastern Sierra where yellows are shimmering in the sunlight from Bishop to Bridgeport, and beyond.
Lots of yellows and lime greens are highlighting the upper elevations with some areas leaning into the Patchy category.
According to our friends at Mono County Tourism, “You’ll find bright yellow tucked into otherwise green groves, brownish-orange leaves alongside trees that haven’t changed at all, and plenty of variation from one stretch of road to the next. These are the places to explore this week or over the next week or two.”
Some locations are easy to access on paved roads, including Rock Creek and Virginia Lakes, while others require traveling on rocky dirt roads. If you’re heading out to chase the first real pockets of color, plan accordingly for an off-highway adventure and make sure you and your vehicle are prepared for the journey.
WALKER / COLEVILLE / TOPAZ
Sonora Pass (9,623′) – 10-50% Patchy. Like many of the other areas in the region, this area is the definition of “patchy.” We found all the colors and then some. Close to the top of the pass, the willows give a vibe of past peak until you come to a grove of bright green aspen. In the valley, Leavitt Meadows Trailhead and Pack Station have some vibrant pops but there is enough green to say we aren’t done here yet
Lobdell Lake Road (9,274′) – 0-10% Just Starting.
Monitor Pass (8,314′) – 10-50% Patchy. Lower elevations are still showing green. The large expanse of trees just below the Monitor Pass sign are starting to kick off with some bright yellow patches.
West Walker River, Walker, Coleville and Topaz (5,200′) – 0-10% Just Starting. Small areas of yellow are beginning to emerge in concentrated areas.
BRIDGEPORT / VIRGINIA LAKES
Virginia Lakes (9,819’) – 10-50% Patchy. There is a good variety of color and the Resort is looking stunning at the moment. Big Virginia still has a lot of green.
Conway Summit (8,143) – 0-10% Just Starting. In the early morning light, yellow illuminates the hillside, but we expect more to come.
Dunderberg Meadow – 10-50% Patchy. Closest to Virginia Lake you will be treated to vibrant yellow and orange, but green persists as you travel towards Green Creek Road.
Green Creek – 10-50% Patchy. There is a lot more to come in this area but like the general region, there is color to see this weekend on a hike or exploring this area
Summers Meadow (7,200′) – 10-50% Patchy. Slight changes are evident along the lower end of the meadow closest to town. The higher elevations along the ridge offer a beautiful display of the color to come.
Twin Lakes (7,000′) – 0-10% Just Starting. No real change to the colors from last week, but around the lake, high elevation groves let you know it won’t be long. Check out the Robinson Creek and Horsetail Fall trails, or get on the water (rent a boat from Annett’s or Twin Lakes Resort) for a lovely day.
LEE VINING
Tioga Pass (9,943′) – 10-50% Patchy. The groves at the highest elevations are well on their way to fall. But below the rockfall zone, everything is green.
Lee Vining Canyon (6,781′) – 0-10% Just Starting. Little spots of yellow and orange, especially around the water tank. But most of the canyon has yet to make any change.
Lundy Lake & Canyon (7,858′) – 0-10% Just Starting. Aspens are green until the lake and then the colors begin to show themselves. This canyon can put on a show through the whole season. While parking is minimal at the trailhead, this hike is worth an early morning wake up call.
BENTON & 120 EAST
Sagehen Summit (8,139’) – 10-50% Patchy. There is much more color showing here and throughout the Glass Mountain Range this week. We are excited about what’s to come out here!
JUNE LAKE LOOP
June Lake Loop/Hwy 158 (7,654′) – 0-10% Just Starting. Not much change has occurred since last week’s report but if you are in the region, make sure you catch the glow off the ridge of June Mountain Ski Resort in the morning. Like a lighthouse on the hill above the loop, the orange alerts “fall is coming!” Much more to come around the June Lake Loop in the coming weeks.
CROWLEY LAKE/McGEE CREEK/CONVICT LAKE
McGee Creek Canyon (8,600’) – 0-10% Just Starting. The tops of the trees had some yellow, and the canyon had that lime glow to it. Gorgeous drive any time of year and enough to make it feel like fall if you need a fix. Great picnic, great hike (start early, as the exposed trail can get hot), and an even better trail ride with McGee Pack Station.
Convict Lake (7,850′) – 0-10% Just Starting. The biggest change around the lake is yellow has now spread into the campground and the creek as it moves downhill. The aspen around the lake has not progressed much since last week.
ROCK CREEK CANYON
Rock Creek Road (9,600’) – 10-50% Patchy. Patchy yellows start around the Aspen Campground, getting closer to 50% around the East Fork parking area and campground. The north-facing ridge is yellow-orange. A mix of yellow, orange, brown, and plenty of green around the lake and continuing up the road from the lake to the trailhead. Overall, the drive is patchy and an absolutely beautiful taste of fall, with more to come.
