Peaking in Bishop Creek Canyon – Go Now!

Bishop Creek Canyon is now peaking between 8,000  and 8,500 ft in elevation reports Jared Smith from Parchers Resort.

“Above 8,500 ft,” he writes, “there is still a  lot of fall color to enjoy but some areas are just past peak color. The harsh  weather of last week had far less of an impact than expected, good news for all the color chasers out there. The weather forecast is favorable so look for  there to be incredible color throughout the canyon for at least the next week or so.

Past Peak – Weir Pond (9,592 ft) – Past Peak (but still gorgeous!).  While the groves above the pond are mostly gone now, the color around the shoreline is spectacular and I would consider
those trees to be at peak color.

75 – 100% – Parchers Camp (9,260 ft) – The foliage on the hillsides surrounding the camp really came on strong this week. The groves to the east of the resort are gone but the vast majority of the aspens are at peak color with lots of orange and red hues about. Simply gorgeous!

75 – 100% – North Lake (9,255 ft) – North Lake is still a difficult location to rate right now because some areas are well past their peak while others are simply stunning. The road especially is looking very vibrant right now.

75 – 100% – Lake Sabrina (9,150 ft) – The east shore of the lake doesn’t have much going on right now but the back of the lake is ablaze with lime green, orange, yellow and reds. Spectacular views towards the back of the lake right now.

75 – 100% – Lake Sabrina Approach (9,100 ft) – The aspens surrounding the ponds just below
Lake Sabrina are extremely beautiful right now and this area is at its peak.

Past Peak – Sabrina Camp Groves (9,000 ft) – This grove is an early bloomer so it should be  no surprise that the best has come and gone for this spot.

75 – 100% – Cardinal Pinnacle Groves (9,000 ft) – The groves just to the east of the highway near Cardinal Pinnacle have really turned fast. This view is exceptional, especially with the contrast of the red rocks and granite shale mixed in.

75 – 100% – Surveyor’s Meadow – Some of the groves are past peak here but lots of them are now peaking. Spectacular views at this locations, especially in the early afternoon or in the evening after the sun has gone over the hillside.

75 – 100% – Cardinal Mine Grove (8,700 ft) – The aspen along the hill closest to Hwy 168 are
mostly gone now but the groves that meander along the stream are wildly colorful. Great vies to be had at this location near Cardinal Lodge.

75 – 100% – Table Mountain Campground (8,900 ft)- The groves just below Table Mountain Campground are holding on strong and still looking beautiful. There were a few trees that were burned by last week’s cold front but for the most part this area is still incredibly colorful with lots of orange showing.

75 – 100% – Mountain Glen Campground – Lots of gold and yellow along with some lime green in this section.

75 – 100% – The Famous Mist Falls on South Fork Bishop Creek – The colorful transformation of the aspen surrounding the waterfall has been remarkable this week. Most of the aspen are bright yellow with just a little green holding tough around the waterfall. The below picture is from the 12th but it looks even better today – amazing!

50 – 75% – Four Jeffrey Camp Groves – Plenty of green still yet to change but there is now a lot of yellow and orange developing along the stream near and above Four Jeffrey Campground.

Past Peak – Willow Camp & Tyee Trailhead (9,065 ft) – Still plenty of color to find, but the best and highest concentration of color has come and gone at this location.

Past Peak – South Lake (9,768 ft) – The rock slide on the west shore of the lake is ablaze with yellow, orange and red while most of the groves on the south or east shores are almost bare now. Still a heck of a view with the snowcapped peaks in the distance.

9 replies
    • John Poimiroo says:

      Yes, fall color in California will likely be visible through the end of November somewhere in California. It just depends at what elevation and location. It’s peaking presently in the Bishop Creek Canyon and will be gone within the week at 8,000 ft, but dropping to other elevations thereafter.

  1. Jyoti says:

    You say the Colours are at 75%-100% peak now… and yet say they are past the peak at the same time.

    What is the ideal peak time to capture fall colors??

    • John Poimiroo says:

      The peak, when posted was for trees between 8,000 and 8,500 ft. Areas above 8,500 ft. were generally past peak. Presently, it’s peaking at 8,000 ft.

  2. Jyoti says:

    I reside in South bay.

    What would be the nearest place to spot fall colours with some good reflections??

    Does any place near Yosemite have a Fall spectacle like the one Bishop creek anyon??

    • John Poimiroo says:

      The western Sierra is not yet showing. The best color is in high elevations of the Eastern Sierra. Nearest to the Bay Area would be Carson Pass (Hwy 88) and Hope Valley, south (Hwy 89) to Monitor Pass. Reports also have aspen turning orange, gold and red along the Tioga Road in Yosemite National Park, but to see the most spectacular color right now, you’ll have to drive the distance!

    • John Poimiroo says:

      Color has dropped in Bishop Creek Canyon, with the highest areas now blown. You have to be between 7,000 and 8,000 ft. to see the best color. June Lake Loop and Hope Valley are at peak.

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