Fall Color Report – Page 8 – California Fall Color

Ready to be Picked

A manly man carried a tiny pumpkin to the register at the Pumpkin Patch at Boa Vista Orchards. Regardless the size of the pumpkin, guys, it’s what you do for your wife and child when they’ve picked the perfect pumpkin.

It’s a ritual that plays out daily during autumn in the Sierra foothills. Each generation of dads (and moms) gets to carry the pumpkin to the register.

Autumn is about such earthly rituals and few places enact them quite as colorfully and tastefully than Camino’s Apple Hill.

There, irresistible apple donuts, apple pies, apple ciders, apple turnovers, apple sauce, apple strudel, and – of course – just-picked apples are on display until the Christmas Tree farms take over.

Then, another ritual occurs … cutting the Christmas tree.

Apple Hill, Camino (3,133′) – Patchy (10-50%)

October 16, 2023/by John Poimiroo

Sonoma County Also Slow to Start

As we’ve seen in other areas of the state this year, color spotter Risa Wyatt reports that on Oct. 11, Sonoma County areas were just starting to show at 0-10%.

Late but great, she says—That’s how vintners assess the 2023 grape harvest in Napa and Sonoma Counties. Because of the cool growing season and foggy mornings, harvest began in late August, about three weeks later than usual. But the slow ripening—called “long hang time” by winemakers—allowed the grapes to develop more complex and intense flavors. Visitors to both Napa and Sonoma in October will see crews picking in the fields and trucks hauling tons of fruit to wineries. As they drive through the valleys, they’ll also relish the smell of grapes being crushed and fermented. Like the grapes themselves, color change of the leaves is running behind schedule. Vines and trees are just starting to burst into autumnal hues.

Viansa Winery / Sonoma

In 1895, Samuele Sebastiani emigrated from Italy to Sonoma, opening a winery nine years later. Today, the fourth generation of his family runs Viansa, set on a hilltop overlooking a 97-acre wetland preserve. Viansa honors the family heritage with both its Tuscan-style architecture and offerings of Italian grape varieties such as Arneis, Bianchetta Trevigiana, and Barbera, as well as California classics such as Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. Although the grape leaves are just starting to change color, the ivy on the buildings has taken on autumnal hues.

Cornerstone Sonoma / Sonoma

Although the grape harvest is running late, jack-o’-lanterns and their friends are right on schedule. Tapping into the seasonal spirit, Cornerstone Sonoma features colorful gourds in all shapes and sizes as well as a fanciful Pumpkin House—the nursery-rhyme pumpkin eater never had so plush an abode. Cornerstone also offers a cornucopia of shops, tasting rooms, and gardens, as well as the Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand awarded restaurant, Folktable.

Abbot’s Passage / Glen Ellen

Some trees just gotta be first—like these maples that stand in chromatic contrast to the vines at Abbot’s Passage. The winery reflects the vision of Katie Bundschu, the sixth-generation of the family that established Gundlach Bundschu, one of the oldest wineries in California. Nestled in Sonoma Valley (aka Valley of the Moon), the estate is known for its 80-year-old head-trained, dry-farmed Zinfandel vines. Some vines have been grafted over to new varieties such as Mourvèdre, Carignan, and Petit Sirah to craft complex wine blends. Abbot’s Passage also has a wine-centric mercantile selling picnic blankets, books, corkscrews, and more.

October 16, 2023/by Lara Kaylor

Fall Color Report, Shasta Cascade

Quincy is a Sight to Be Seen

Color spotter Michael Beatley sent in the following from Quincy on Oct. 14, 2023.

Photos from “this morning in downtown Quincy the maples and sycamores around the historic courthouse and Jackson Street, which runs parallel to Main St. Colors are at 80%. Peaking within a few days.”

On Oct. 12 Beatley also reported from Spanish Creek, which runs from above Meadow Valley, through Quincy to the North Fork of the Feather River, to the Sacramento River and on.

“It is a beautiful waterway, lined with Darmera, and aspens, willows, black oak, big leaf maples. The color is variable depending on elevation. Oakland Camp where these [photos] were taken is at 3500′ and at 60%.”

October 16, 2023/by Lara Kaylor

Fall Color Report, Shasta Cascade

It’s a GO NOW Weekend

Another confirmation that this weekend is THE time to go see fall color in various areas around the state!

Color spotter Phil Reedy sent in the following:

I drove Highway 88 from Silver Lake to the West Carson bridge just west of Picketts Junction early this morning (10/13/23). What a difference a week makes. The entire stretch is either at or well beyond peak, so GO NOW if you want to enjoy the remaining color. Probably half of the trees are completely bare and the other half vibrant yellow and orange. There are four nice spots right now with good color.

First is the famous cabin by Red Lake Creek, which still has some nice color behind the cabin. The aspens on the mountainside above the cabin were green a week ago and are now completely colored. I expect it will all be gone in another week. Next is Forest Service Road 31013, which heads south from the Red Lake parking area. It was green last week but is now fully colored in yellow and orange. Woods Lake Road is very similar, green a week ago and now there is plenty of color. Finally, the Hope Valley pasture just east of Blue Lakes Road still looks nice, with about half of the trees brightly colored and the rest bare.

There won’t be much to see in another week, so be sure to go this weekend.

October 14, 2023/1 Comment/by Lara Kaylor

Eastern Sierra, Fall Color Report, Shasta Cascade, Statewide

It’s GO Time!

As of Oct.11, 2023 it is GO time in the Eastern Sierra as well as Plumas County!

All week long photos have been pouring in from leaf peepers in these areas showing vibrant displays of fall color. Plan your trip now for your chance to discover what fall is all about in the Golden State.

Things are changing quickly in the mountains, reports color spotter Betsy Forsyth. With areas that were mostly green last week now being in full-blown fall color mode, all locations in Mono County and the majority of locations in Inyo County are at peak or approaching peak colors!

In Plumas County, Jeff Titcomb reported, ”We’re getting there pretty quickly.”

Michael Beatley added on October 10, “Quincy today, although cloudy, was bursting with fall colors, 70-90%. Behind the historic courthouse on Jackson Street, the trees are full of fall color. In the next few days Quincy and American Valley and the surrounding area will be glorious.”

INYO COUNTY – as of 10/11/23

Southern Inyo County

Lots of yellows on the cottonwoods in the valleys and aspen in the high country.

Lone Pine (3,727′) – (10-50%)
Alabama Hills (4,534′) – (10-50%)
Whitney Portal (8,375′) – 50-75% – Near Peak (Go Now!)
Mt Whitney Trail (8,360′ to 14,505”) – 50-75% – Near Peak (Go Now!)
Independence (3,930′) -(10-50%)
Onion Valley (9,600′) – (10-50%)
Big Pine Creek (7,660′) – 50-75% – Near Peak (Go Now!)
Big Pine (3,989′) – (10-50%)

Bishop Creek Canyon

Bishop Creek Canyon is beautiful right now, and may not last for long! The leaves are changing VERY QUICKLY. From last week to this week, so many of the trees have gone from green with a little yellow hue to lots of yellows and some oranges. There are still some green groves of aspen, but lots of yellows and oranges up there, and many leaves already on the ground.

South Fork, Bishop Creek

South Lake (9,768′) – Near Peak (50-75%) Go Now.
Weir Pond (9,650′) – Peak/Past Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
Parcher’s Resort (9,260′) – Near Peak (50-75%) Go Now.
Willow Campground (9,000′) – Near Peak (50-75%) Go Now.
Surveyor’s Meadow (8,975′) – Peak/Past Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
Table Mountain Camp (8,900′) – Near Peak (50-75%) Go Now. These groves are peaking and absolutely beautiful.
Mountain Glen Camp (8,850′) – Near Peak (50-75%) Go Now. There are some beautiful yellow trees here surrounded by green groves.
Mist Falls and the Groves Above Bishop Creek Lodge (8,350′) – Near Peak (50-75%) Go Now. Closer to 75% for sure There are still green groves, but most of the aspen are peaking now.
Four Jeffries (8,000′) – Peak/Past Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! This area changed so much in the past week!

Middle Fork, Bishop Creek

Lake Sabrina (9,150′) –Peak/Past Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
Sabrina Approach (9,100′) – Peak/Past Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
Sabrina Campground (9,000′) – Near Peak (50-75%) Go Now.
Groves Above Cardinal Village (8,550′) – Near Peak (50-75%) Go Now. The upper part of the canyon above Cardinal Village is past peak, and at peak down near Cardinal Village. There are still some green groves in the lower area, but it is uncertain how quickly those will change.
Intake II (8,000′) – Peak/Past Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! Lots of orange and yellow, and leaves on the ground at this point.
Big Trees Campground (7,800′) – Near Peak (50-75%) Go Now.

Bishop

Bishop (4,150′) – Patchy (10-50%) Closer to 50%. Many of the trees in town have some yellows, especially in the upper sections of the trees. There are some trees that have quite a bit of color to them.
Buckley Ponds (4,150′) – Patchy (10-50%)
Rawson Ponds (4,150′) – Patchy (10-50%)
Owens Valley (4,000′) – Near Peak (50-75%) Go Now. Yellows in the upper parts of the cottonwoods throughout the Owens Valley. Some trees are almost completely yellow. It’s really beautiful.

Northern Inyo County

Lower Rock Creek Rd (7,087′) – Near Peak (50-75%) Go Now.
Round Valley (4,692′) – Near Peak (50-75%) Go Now. It’s really beautiful throughout the Owens Valley. There is a fair amount of yellows in the upper parts of the cottonwoods.
Lower Pine Creek Canyon (7,000′) – Patchy (10-50%) There are more yellows throughout the canyon. This is a spectacular canyon when you catch the colors and the light right!
Pine Creek Pack Station (7,.400′) – Near Peak (50-75%) Go Now. Closer to 50%. At the top of the canyon, there are some yellows in the Aspen, and everything else is getting some yellows as well.

MONO COUNTY

100% FULL PEAK: Last call for Sagehen Summit, Upper Rock Creek Road, and Lobdell Lake Road. These locations have been brilliant for the past 5-7 days and we are unsure how long they will hold on. GO NOW or you’ll miss your opportunity at these locations.

75-100%: The high mountain passes of Tioga Pass, Sonora Pass and Monitor Pass were all at full peak on October 10 with orange and yellow leaves from top to bottom. Upper Summers Meadows Road was the most spectacular we have ever seen it this morning – this is a MUST stop for this weekend. Conway Summit had sections of beautiful peaking orange aspens with yellows and greens mixed in and should be perfect for the next 7-10 days.

50-75%: Virtually every other location in Mono County is approaching peak color with varying degrees of progress. Along the June Lake Loop you’ll find a lot of green with pockets of over-achieving golden trees. Convict Lake has a great section of yellow leaves on the back side of the lake with green foliage still located in other spots. The banks of the West Walker River were about 50% with the towns of Walker, Coleville and Topaz being the only fully green sections left in Mono County.

Past peak: Virginia Lakes was the only place on our list that is officially past peak. The leaves were stripped of their color about 3 miles up the road. Sagehen Summit, Upper Rock Creek and Lobdell Lake road will probably make this list by next week’s report.

BONUS: We usually don’t report on this area but we had to include it in this week’s report. Take a drive up Little Walker River Road for an intense spectrum of color. For those willing to hike on foot, take Molybdenite Canyon Trail (located at the end of Obsidian Campground on Little Walker River Road) for huge valleys full of peaking aspen. (Trust us on this one!)

PLUMAS COUNTY

In Eastern Plumas County, Mark Kidder gave us a peek into the Lakes Basin area. Hikers can explore the 3.7 Jamison Creek Trail. The trailhead can be found several miles up County Road A-14 towards Johnsville and takes you past Jamison Falls, Grass Lake, and on to Rock Lake and Jamison Lake–all, which are ideal for backpacking if you don’t mind the chilly nights. There are beautiful aspen scattered along this trail.

Lakes Basin Recreation Area

From Graeagle, head west on Highway 70 towards Quincy where the colors haven’t peaked, there are some beautiful spots and many pet-friendly backcountry roads. Right before Quincy, take a drive down La Porte Road to see many colorful maples with evergreens in the background, and then head back into Quincy where the dogwoods are turning bright red and maples are looking good. The best drive for those right now is the Big Creek Road towards Bucks Lake.

Big Creek Road to Bucks Lake

From Quincy, head north on Highway 89 towards Indian Valley. The drive along Indian Creek is still nice but the Dixie Fire did do some damage to that area. As you near the turn off to Taylorsville, the hawthorns are turning a vibrant red. Keep going another few miles and you’ll begin to ascend up the road to Antelope Lake (road currently only open on weekends due to construction). Antelope Lake is showing one of the best displays of quaking aspens right now, which were captured by Jeff Titcomb, another avid leaf peeper.

Above Kings Creek Falls

One of our leaf peepers in Chester, Betty Bishop, said that the colors are just starting to turn on the North Fork of the Feather River that runs right through the town. A few miles outside of Chester turn off on Highway 32 and drive along Deer Creek for some lovely scenery. And the aspen are still golden in Lassen Volcanic National Park and in other spots around Lake Almanor along with some very cool waterfalls, like the one on the Kings Creek Falls trail.

October 12, 2023/by Lara Kaylor

Eastern Sierra, Fall Color Report

Wildlife Love Fall Colors, Too

Color spotter Gary Skipper II captured a few extra special fall color images on Oct. 8 in the Eastern Sierra. In addition to the usual foliage, Skipper had a few guest appearances in his images from Dunderberg Meadow, Virginia Lakes and Rock Creek.

These critters are out and about gathering food for the winter ahead, but we’d also like to think they are enjoying the fall colors around them at the same time!

October 11, 2023/by Lara Kaylor

Fall Color Report, Shasta Cascade

NorCal Colors

We received great reports from Plumas and Siskiyou counties over the weekend from color spotters Jeff Titcomb, Phil Reedy and Ruth Hartman.

Phil reported that in his tenth year of visiting the area along Highway 88 between the famous cabin on down to the Desolation Hotel (formerly Sorenson’s Resort), it is changing like clockwork.

“The aspens behind the cabin seem to peak right about October 8 every year,” he says. “The same is true along Red Lake Creek just across the highway. As usual, the aspens on the mountainside above the cabin are still green and will catch up in a week or two.”

“On to the east many of the aspens are at peak as well, although there are plenty yet to turn across the pasture just east of Blue Lakes Road. Continuing on east between Picketts Junction (highways 88 and 89) and Desolation Hotel, the trees are definitely at peak right now, so don’t wait on that area [he had recommended visiting this past weekend so definitely GO NOW]. Heading toward Tahoe along highway 89, those trees are still green as is normal,” Reedy explains.

The trees above the valley always turn well after those in the valley floor.

Titcomb shared that the trees at the Plumas County Airport are just getting started with the tree on the east changing faster than the tree right next to it on the west. He also sent photos from Taylorsville, Genesee, Quincy and Graeagle all of which are showing some beautiful yellows and even a few reds.

Hartman reported that fall color can be found in and around Etna and driving down Highway 3.

“If people take a drive north or south from Etna to Weaverville they will see lots of fall color right now” she says. “The dogwoods are very muted right now and will probably stay that way as Etna will not hit 32 degrees until Nov 30 and Trinity Center will not have a 32 until sometime in December. The colder the weather the more vibrant the colors!”

October 9, 2023/by Lara Kaylor

Fall Color Report, North Coast

Humboldt Coast Range

Bigleaf maple (Acer macrophyllum) were Just Starting at 3,700′ as we drove highway 36 west from the Central Valley to a reunion at Liebforth Ranch, the family’s 102-year-old homestead in the Charles Mountain drainage.

There’s sporadic color and little of it along the route. Yellow maple leaves are few between, and then with curled, orange-brown edges. They seem healthier the farther you drive west toward moisture.

Forest Glen is a sad relic of what it once was. The town of ten inhabitants used to be surrounded by lush forest. Now it is a graveyard of grey-black skeletons where in August 2020 the Complex Fire raged across more than a million acres of forest and woodland.

The putrid perfume of a pot farm insulted our senses as we neared Humboldt County. Word among local ranchers is that cultivating marijuana is on hard times due to competition, now that growing is legal in the Emerald Triangle.

It was maddening near Mad River where almost no fall color could be seen in the forest, except orange-red brush which glowed like embers in the woods.

As we rose and dipped along the twisting road we moved over to the Van Duzen River, which was more promising as Dinsmore approached. Patchy color filled a mixed riparian woodland of orange-brown black cottonwood (Populus balsamifera), white alder (Alnus rhombiflia) and black oak (Quercus kelloggii) in mid afternoon, glowingly backlit with gold, green and buff. Then, the color ended on the way to Bridgeville and down Alderpoint Road to the family homestead.

I concluded, I wouldn’t recommend CA-36 for fall color. There isn’t much of it in return for the effort.

The land south of Bridgeville along Alderpoint Road is cowboy country. There, honest ranchers tend grass-fed organic beef for Whole Foods and neighbors, miles apart, know each other and what they’re doing just by the sound of dogs barking, cows mooing or a chain saw’s insistent brrrr. Every sound tells a story of what’s happening, as if it were telegraphed.

On our departure from Leibforth Ranch, we returned to Bridgeville and 36, now heading west through Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park where iridescent poison oak vines climb redwood trunks to dizzying heights and glow hot orange-pink in a foggy forest that is speckled with yellow maple leaves.

South of Scotia on U.S. 101, the Avenue of the Giants (CA-254) is Patchy with bigleaf maple at 20% and poison oak near peak at 70%.

It will be a week or two more before the Redwood Highway (US 101) and Humboldt Redwoods State Park are at Peak.

Leaving the redwoods and entering Mendocino wine country, some varieties of grapes (likely white) were peaking bright yellow, though the vineyards were Just Starting with most vineyards green. Just Starting color was also seen at Clear Lake where old walnut orchards are carrying golden color.

Forest Glen (2,700′) – Past Peak, You missed it.
Mad River (4,845′) – Past Peak, You missed it.
Van Duzen River, Dinsmore (2,415′) – 10-50% Patchy
Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park (935) – Poison Oak only – 75-100% – Peak, GO NOW!
Avenue of the Giants (CA-254) – 0 – 10% Just Starting
Laytonville (1,670′) – 10-50% Patchy
Redwood Valley vineyards – 0-10% Just Starting
Upper Lake (1,345′) – 0-10% Just Starting
CA-20, Clear Lake – 0-10% Just Starting

October 9, 2023/2 Comments/by John Poimiroo

Fall Color Report, Statewide

Cold Temps Flipped the Switch

A wild weather pattern earlier this week brought fall colors in the state to attention. After the most delayed start that color spotters in Mono County have seen in their 12 years of reporting on fall colors, the color change is finally in full swing and several areas are at the GO NOW rating.

Additionally, color spotters in Plumas County have been reporting a bit of an early start with plenty of brilliant colors to come.

In Mono County trees were still green last Friday, Sept. 29 at locations that in past years would be at full peak. The change came fast though – almost overnight, according to color spotter Jeff Simpson. A wintery-weather system moved in on Friday night and lasted through the weekend, bringing cooler temperatures, rain, and even 2-6” of light snow to the higher elevations. This was a welcome surprise for photographers as it provided ideal conditions for landscape pictures with fall colors and freshly snow-capped peaks early Monday morning. Thankfully, the leaves held on and warmer temperatures on Monday quickly melted the snow.

As of October 4, Mono County was back on schedule! The forecast for the next 8-10 days shows above-average temperatures with no precipitation in sight. It should be perfect conditions for fall color viewing for the foreseeable future.

Lobdell Lake Road, Virginia Lakes, Rock Creek Lake, and Sagehen Summit are all peaking and are at the top of our list for visiting this weekend with “GO NOW” conditions. All three locations are closer to 75% than 100%, with lots of green mixed in with the yellows and orange, which means they should be perfect for the next seven days or so.

Lobdell Lake Road requires AWD or 4WD, so if you’re comfortable with rougher dirt roads we are sure you’ll love one of our favorite fall color spots in the Eastern Sierra.

Sagehen Summit still had green as of Oct. 4, but the colors should keep progressing there as we approach the weekend. Rock Creek Lake is at full peak around the lake but still green as you head down in elevation along the road. The best color in Virginia Lakes is located around the trailhead parking lot and along Dunderberg Meadows Road (AWD or 4WD recommended here, too).

We’re well on our way with still plenty of color change to come! Plan your trip within the next three weeks to catch the fall brilliance in-person.

WALKER / COLEVILLE / TOPAZ
Monitor Pass (8,314′) 10-50% – Patchy with the best color near the pass.
West Walker River, Walker, Coleville and Topaz (5,200′) 0-10% Some leaves changing in Walker Canyon with this area usually peaking the last week of October.
Sonora Pass (9,623′) 10-50% We didn’t make it up to the summit this week but could see lots of green around the Leavitt Falls elevation.
Lobdell Lake Road (9,274′) 75-100% GO NOW! Lots of great color all the way up the road to the lake. One section of trees had red, orange, yellow and green leaves within a 100 feet of each other. Lots of contrast and varying degrees of color. This spot should be great for the next 10 days. (The road has been repaired but AWD/4WD is highly recommended.)

BRIDGEPORT / VIRGINIA LAKES
Twin Lakes (7,000′) 0-10% just a few leaves around each lake at this point.
Bodie Hills (9,419′) 10-50% There are great pockets of color and should be approaching peak by next week. (Some sections of road have been washed out from the spring runoff. AWD/4WD is highly recommended.)
Virginia Lakes (9,819’) 75-100% GO NOW! The best colors are at the highest elevations. Trust us when we say to take the dirt road detour on Dunderberg Meadows Road as there are some beautiful groves of crimson red happening right now.
Conway Summit (8,143) 10-50% a couple of good groves of yellow up the hill but mostly green near US 395 at the summit.
Summers Meadow (7,200′) 10-50% Full peaking trees at the highest elevations but mostly green along the road.

LEE VINING
Tioga Pass (9,943′) 50-75% Near Peak No new update. While there are few aspen trees in this area, you will still find fall color near peak in the bushes and grasses with scenic views.
Lee Vining Canyon (6,781′) 10-50% Some really great groves near the ranger station and in Lower Lee Vining Campground. This location should be approaching near peak by next update.
Lundy Lake & Canyon (7,858′) 10-50% some great sections with yellow trees but still mostly green.

BENTON & 120 EAST
Sagehen Summit (8,139’) 75-100% GO NOW – Still maturing in some sections with green on the lower elevations. Maybe 5 days to perfect color. (There are no bathrooms located here. Please drive slowly long the paved and dirt sections to this locations as there are a lot of wild horses in the area)

JUNE LAKE LOOP
June Lake Loop/Hwy 158 (7,654′) 10-50% A couple groves of color in sections north of Silver Lake but still getting going.

MAMMOTH LAKES
Mammoth Lakes Basin (8,996′) 10-50% Patchy – Colors within the Mammoth Lakes Basin are spreading throughout specially with the bushes. This is a great option for call colors right within Mammoth Lakes!

CROWLEY LAKE/McGEE CREEK/CONVICT LAKE
McGee Creek Canyon (8,600’) 10-50% No big changes from last week. Patchy Shades of yellows and lime are lining the river here, casting colors throughout the canyon. The best colors will be located on foot up the trail.
Around Crowley community (6,781′) 10-150% Some nice color starting to make it’s way down into the town.
Convict Lake (7850′) 10-50% Patchy – Not much change. Golden and lime hues are lining the lakeside, creating an enchanting atmosphere. This location is a perfect choice for those seeking a leisurely stroll among the trees, as a scenic path winds its way along the back of the lake, immersing you in a lush canopy of changing leaves.

ROCK CREEK CANYON
Rock Creek Road (9,600’) 75-100% GO NOW! – Rock Creek Lake is spectacular with most of the trees at “peak” around the lake. However, the at “peak” sections are very localized and you will still see greens along Rock Creek Road.

INYO COUNTY

In Inyo County, Bishop Creek Canyon has been a treat for photographers this past week with a mix of snow and color as well. Anyone who was out last weekend was able to capture multiple seasons in one shot. Certain portions of this area are also in GO NOW condition with beautiful weather on the horizon for the next few weeks.

It is important to note this year that while roads are open in the Eastern Sierra for leaf peeping, many are narrow with limited parking. Please take extra care when you stop for photos this year as some of the shoulders of the roads have been impacted/washed out.

Southern Inyo County

Lots of yellows on the cottonwoods in the valleys and aspen in the high country. Little bits of orange here and there.

Lone Pine (3,727′) – (10-25%)
Alabama Hills (4,534′) – (10-25%)
Whitney Portal (8,375′) – (10-25%)
Mt Whitney Trail (8,360′ to 14,505”) – (10-25%)
Independence (3,930′) -(10-25%)
Onion Valley (9,600′) – (10-25%)
Big Pine Creek (7,660′) – (10-25%)
Big Pine (3,989′) – (10-25%)

Bishop Creek Canyon

According to color spotter Betsy Forsyth, “Bishop Creek Canyon is beautiful!! We had a really beautiful few days of snow in the high country last weekend which created some incredible contrast of fall colors with the snow. It was short-lived and the snow has pretty much all melted around the lakes in Bishop Creek Canyon. It seems like about half of the Canyon is yellow with an orange hue. There is still lots of green leaves as well.” There is still a lot of rabbitbrush blooming on the way up Highway 168 as well as some mosquitoes. Wildflowers are still visible up in the high country and some can even be found on the road to Lake Sabrina.

South Fork, Bishop Creek

South Lake (9,768′) – Patchy (10-50%)
Weir Pond (9,650′) – Patchy (10-50%) There are a couple of beautiful trees, but mostly green leaves around the pond. Yellow starting up the hills.
Parcher’s Resort (9,260′) – Patchy (10-50%)
Willow Campground (9,000′) – Patchy (10-50%)
Surveyor’s Meadow (8,975′) – 50-75% – Near Peak (Go Now!) Some beautiful yellows here. Closer to 50%. This is one of the more spectacular spots right now.
Table Mountain Camp (8,900′) – Patchy (10-50%) Some beautiful yellow trees here surrounded by green groves. Some orange leaves spotted here. And some just going form yellowish to falling off the Aspen. Not super vibrant, but colorful.
Mountain Glen Camp (8,850′) – Patchy (10-50%) Some beautiful yellow trees here surrounded by green groves.
Mist Falls and the Groves Above Bishop Creek Lodge (8,350′) – 50-75% – Near Peak (Go Now!) Always a stunning spot in the fall!
Four Jeffries (8,000′) – Patchy (10-50%). This section of the road has a yellow-brown hue. Not super spectacular, but changing colors for sure.

Middle Fork, Bishop Creek

Lake Sabrina (9,150′) -Patchy (10-50%). Closer to 50%. There are a few patches of orange, with plenty of yellows and still lots of green. This area will be getting really good VERY SOON.
Sabrina Approach (9,100′) – Patchy (10-50%) Mixed yellows and greens along the road. Again, closer to 50%. We’re still hoping to get some oranges along this road, as it is so spectacular.
Sabrina Campground (9,000′) – Patchy (10-50%) Still pretty green.
Groves Above Cardinal Village (8,550′) – 50-70% GO NOW The upper part of the canyon above Cardinal Village is all yellow, and hopefully the lower part will get some nice bright colors.
Aspendell (8,400′) – Starting (0-10%)
Intake II (8,000′) – 50-70% GO NOW Lots of orange and yellow here.
Big Trees Campground (7,800′) – Patchy (10-50%)

North Fork, Bishop Creek

North Lake (9,225′) – Patchy (10-50%) Go Soon!! This seems like it should be really beautiful soon. Still mostly green along the road by the lake, with some yellows. Across the lake there are some yellows starting.
North Lake Rd (9,000′) – Patchy (10-50%)

Bishop

Bishop (4,150′) – Patchy (10-50%) Yellows in the upper parts of the cottonwoods.
Buckley Ponds (4,150′) – Patchy (10-50%)
Rawson Ponds (4,150′) – Patchy (10-50%)
Owens Valley (4,000′) – Patchy (10-50%) It’s really beautiful throughout the Owens Valley. There is a fair amount of 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%) It’s really beautiful throughout the Owens Valley. There is a fair amount of yellows in the upper parts of the cottonwoods.
Lower Pine Creek Canyon (7,000′) – Patchy (10-50%) The lower part of the canyon has some yellows, but still has a ways to go. This is a spectacular canyon when you catch the colors and the light right!
Pine Creek Pack Station (7,.400′) – Patchy (10-50%) At the top of the canyon there are some yellows in the Aspen, but everything else is mostly green.

PLUMAS COUNTY

Quincy is about 25% of peak overall, with some trees showing much more than that, like the Theiler Tree, which is almost at peak.

There are some nice colors on the drive to Meadow Valley (Snake Lake Bridge) but the Aspens at Bucks Lake still haven’t turned.

Indian Valley and Genesee Valley are at about 10% of peak so still more brilliant colors to come.

Antelope Lake is beautiful right now. Photos to come!

PEAK, DRIVE AND HIKE OF THE WEEK

Predicted to have California’s best fall color overall, best fall color drive and best hike in the coming week.

Peak of the Week – Lobdell Lake Road (Mono County)
Drive of the Week – Lobdell Lake Road (9,274′) 75-100% GO NOW! Lots of great color all the way up the road to the lake. One section of trees had red, orange, yellow and green leaves within a 100 feet of each other. Lots of contrast and varying degrees of color. This spot should be great for the next 10 days. (The road has been repaired but AWD/4WD is highly recommended.)
Hike of the Week – Rock Creek Lodge to Rock Creek Lake (Mono County) 2 miles round trip – 300 ft. elevation gain. This quiet hike leaves the lodge and meanders beside Rock Creek, through meadows and a lodge pole forest. There is excellent fishing along this stretch and also at the pond, about 3/4 mile from the lodge. Behind the inlet of the pond the trail climbs alongside the creek as it cascades for a couple hundred feet. The trail levels out again, following the tail water of Rock Creek Lake.

October 5, 2023/4 Comments/by Lara Kaylor

Drive of the Week, Eastern Sierra, Fall Color Report

Bishop Beauty

Additional images from the wild weekend made their way to our inbox yesterday and we just had to share the beauty. Both Christopher Adkins and Gary Young found great color in Bishop.

Adkins is staying in the area this week and went up to Bishop Creek Canyon three days in a row to find the color progressing quickly. “This week seems to be the week for Bishop Creek,” he said.

The stunning photo above was taken along South Lake Road on Oct. 2.

“I’d say it’s patchy but soon to be near peak towards the upper part of the road,” Adkins explained.

Gary Young was also out on South Lake Road over the weekend.

“South Lake Road is looking good already with some serious color in areas,” Young said. “There is still a lot of green that will turn soon.”

He rated the area as 30-50%.

As we stated last Friday, the Bishop Creek area is the drive of the week, so get out there and enjoy!

October 3, 2023/by Lara Kaylor

Ready to be Picked

Sonoma County Also Slow to Start

Quincy is a Sight to Be Seen

It’s a GO NOW Weekend

It’s GO Time!

Wildlife Love Fall Colors, Too

NorCal Colors

Humboldt Coast Range

Cold Temps Flipped the Switch

Bishop Beauty

Destination

Check-in date

Check-out date