If you are hoping to see lots of fall colors up in Bishop Creek Canyon, GO NOW!!!
The colors are peaking in many locations, according to spotter Betsy Forsyth.
There are already stands of aspen that are stripped (without leaves) while other stands are still green.
Such is the way it goes with fall colors in the Eastern Sierra… some peaking while others are still waiting.
As always, the color show will continue for a while longer as the colors move down into the Owens Valley and into the City of Bishop proper, Forsyth explained.
Please note: As you’re driving around up in Bishop Creek Canyon, please be aware of where you are stopping to take photos. There is limited parking and some of the prettiest areas will just have to live in your mind, or be walked to because there aren’t places to pull over.
Pro tip – be the passenger in the vehicle to capture shots.
Pro tip #2: visit mid-week!
Bishop Creek Canyon
We are in the prime leaf-peeping season right now. Pretty much every section of the road to either Lake Sabrina or South Lake has beautiful golden and orange sections.
South Fork, Bishop Creek
- South Lake (9,768′) – 75-100% – Peak (GO NOW!)
- Weir Pond (9,650′) – 75-100% – Peak (GO NOW!)
- Parcher’s Resort (9,260′) – 75-100% – Peak (GO NOW!) Above the resort many of the trees are past peak.
- Willow Campground (9,000′) – 75-100% – Peak (GO NOW!)
- Surveyor’s Meadow (8,975′) – Past peak, you missed it.
- Table Mountain Camp (8,900′) – 75-100% – Peak (GO NOW!) The campground itself is past peak, but there are lots of beautiful colors around this area.
- Mountain Glen Camp (8,850′) – 50-75% – Near Peak (Go Now.) (Closer to 75%) This spot is really beautiful and interesting with all of the fall colors being represented.
- Mist Falls and the Groves Above Bishop Creek Lodge (8,350′) – 575-100% – Peak (GO NOW!) Still some green aspen here, as well as lots of beautiful golden aspen stands.
- Four Jeffries (8,000′) – 50-75% – Near Peak (Go Now.) Closer to 50%.
Middle Fork, Bishop Creek
- Lake Sabrina (9,150′) – 75-100% – Peak (GO NOW!) Hurry! Almost past peak.
- Sabrina Approach (9,100′) – 75-100% – Peak (GO NOW!)
- Sabrina Campground (9,000′) – Past peak, you missed it.
- Groves Above Cardinal Village (8,550′) – 75-100% – Peak (GO NOW!) Some of the trees above Cardinal are past peak, while there is a beautiful display of colors throughout the area, including the aspen along the road to Cardinal Village.
- Intake II (8,000′) – 75-100% – Peak (GO NOW!) The lake, itself is past peak, but there are still lots of really beautiful colors nearby, so worth a wander. Please note, they are working on this dam as well, and Intake II is almost empty.
- Big Trees Campground (7,800′) – 50-75% – Near Peak (Go Now.)
Bishop
The cottonwoods in and around Bishop and the Owens Valley are a mixture of yellows and greens and still 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′) – 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. It’s quite beautiful throughout the Owens Valley with the rabbit brush (sorry for those allergic), the golden fields, and changing leaves.
Northern Inyo County
- Lower Rock Creek Rd ((7,087′) – Patchy (10-50%) Closer to 50% as there is a fair amount of yellow, yet still plenty of green leaves.
- Round Valley (4,692′) – Patchy (10-50%) Yellows in the upper parts of the cottonwoods. This area is at a lower elevation, and will continue to be beautiful for a while. Think “nice drive on a country road”. Incredible views of Mt. Tom, cows, horses, etc. If you like that sort of thing 😉
- Lower Pine Creek Canyon (7,000′) – Patchy (10-50%)
- Pine Creek Pack Station (7,400′) – Patchy (10-50%)
