Things are changing in Bishop Creek Canyon, according to color spotters.
The end of September and early October are often when the colors are really popping in this area, and this year is no exception. Most sections of the road to either Lake Sabrina or South Lake have beautiful golden sections. However, there are still plenty of green aspens that have not joined the party yet!
The majority of this area is Near Peak and in Go Now condition. See the full report below.
This is a popular fall color viewing area every year so please remember to be aware of other color spotters around you. There is limited parking so if an area looks full, go find another spot. Please don’t stop in the middle of the road or create your own parking spot.
Better yet, visit Bishop Creek Canyon and other Eastern Sierra hotspots, midweek for the ultimate fall color adventure with the most relaxed vibe.
Bishop Creek Canyon – Near Peak (50-75%) Go Now.
South Fork, Bishop Creek
- South Lake (9,768′) – 50-75% – Near Peak (Go Now.) It’s happening!! Golds, yellows and greens… you can find a little bit of everything here.
- Weir Pond (9,650′) – 50-75% – Near Peak (Go Now.)
- Parcher’s Resort (9,260′) – 50-75% – Near Peak (Go Now.) It’s beautiful all around the resort. Above the resort many of the trees are past peak.
- Willow Campground (9,000′) – Patchy (10-50%) Yellows and golds along the road, but still pretty green in closer to the campground.
- Surveyor’s Meadow (8,975′) – 50-75% – Near Peak (Go Now.)
- Table Mountain Camp (8,900′) – 50-75% – Near Peak (Go Now.)
- Mountain Glen Camp (8,850′) – Patchy (10-50%) Interestingly this area still has large green areas, as well as trees that are past peak.
- Mist Falls and the Groves Above Bishop Creek Lodge (8,350′) – Patchy (10-50%), still lots of green aspen here, as well as some beautiful golden aspen stands.
- Four Jeffries (8,000′) – Patchy (10-50%)
Middle Fork, Bishop Creek
- Lake Sabrina (9,150′) – 50-75% – Near Peak (Go Now.) Please note that they are working on the dam, with access to the path on the dam closed.
- Sabrina Approach (9,100′) – 50-75% – Near Peak (Go Now.)
- Sabrina Campground (9,000′) – Patchy (10-50%) – It’s a mixed bunch in here.
- Groves Above Cardinal Village (8,550′) – 50-75% – Near Peak (Go Now.) It’s closer to 50%, but will be changing quickly.
- Intake II (8,000′) – 50-75% – Near Peak (Go Now.) Please note, they are working on this dam as well, and Intake II is almost empty. Still beautiful, and there are trees past peak here.
- Big Trees Campground (7,800′) – Patchy (10-50%)
Bishop
The cottonwoods in and around Bishop and the Owens Valley are a mixture of yellows and greens and still lots and lots of trees that are still all green.
- Bishop (4,150′) – Patchy (10-50%) Yellows in the upper parts of the cottonwoods.
- Buckley Ponds (4,150′) – Still waiting
- 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%)
