Mono County “Weekend Best Bets”

Rock Creek Lake (9/20/15) Alicia Vennos

CaliforniaFallColor.com kicks into high gear today, with autumn officially arriving yesterday.  Each Thursday, during autumn, we’ll be issuing weekly summaries to media throughout California and posting the latest extended report here.

Today’s report is from Mono County color spotter Alicia Vennos who says, “Color is really kicking it up a notch in the Upper Rock Creek area, especially near the top of the road and around Rock Creek Lake. Lower down at East Fork, for example, (where there is a lovely hiking trail up to Rock Creek Lake), the aspens are still on the verge.  

Alicia suggests Rock Creek, Hilton Lakes and Virginia Lakes. Parker Lake, Lundy Canyon, Twin Lakes in Bridgeport, and Sonora Pass area as best bets to see fall color this weekend and notes that the color will transition from patchy to near peak at all these areas within the coming two weeks.

June Lake, Convict Lake, and Conway Summit are just starting and should not near peak for two weeks.

Upper Rock Creek Road (9/20/15) Alicia Vennos

Rock Creek Lake (9/20/15) Alicia Vennos

Rock Creek Lake (9/20/15) Alicia Vennos

Patchy (10-50%) – Rock Creek Road/Hilton Creek Road – As seen in photos submitted by Josh Wray earlier this week, Rock Creek and Hilton Creek are best bets for bright fall color this week.  Getting there, you’ll pass Rock Creek Lodge, known for its breakfasts – everything, including the jam is homemade. Pie in the Sky Café is another must stop, but just until Columbus Day when it closes for the season. The wranglers at Rock Creek Pack Station have been transporting horses down to lower pastures, in preparation for winter, though a few horses are still stabled there for anyone wanting to see fall colors by horseback. CLICK HERE to reserve your ride.

Just Starting (0-10%) – Mammoth Lakes – Willows are glowing orange-yellow by lake shores in the Lakes Basin.

Patchy (10-50%) – Laurel Lakes Road – Neon lime and bright yellow are painting the aspen beside this rock-strewn 4WD road.

Patchy (10-50%) – Virginia Lakes/Green Creek Road/Bridgeport – Green Creek Road, south of Bridgeport, is a stunner, particularly Summer’s Meadow. Watch for signs leading you to it that divert from the graded dirt road. The area should be at full peak when Bridgeport hosts its Ducks Unlimited Dinner on Oct. 17.

Patchy (10-50%) – Lundy Canyon – This area probably still is a week or two away from peak, though it the beautiful transition from deep green to kelly to lime, with touches of yellow is now showing. This is one of the best hikes on the east side.

Patchy (10-50%) – Lee Vining Canyon – Still two weeks away.

Just Starting (0-10%) – June Lake Loop – Many color spotters ask about this beautiful necklace of lakes to the east of Yosemite National Park.  Right now, aspen groves at the north end of the June Lake Loop, high above Grant Lake, are beginning their transition from green to lime to golden yellow and orange. Elsewhere on the Loop (Hwy. 158), color is now just starting to become lime green with some hints of gold.  Parker Lake, about a 2-mile hike from the end of Parker Road at the north end of the June Lake Loop, has got some nice lime-green, yellow-orange hues now.  June Lake should be Near Peak when June Lake Brewing hosts the June Lake Autumn Beer Festival on Oct. 10 at Gull Lake Park.

Convict Lake (9/20/15) Julie Yost

Convict Lake (9/20/15) Alicia Vennos

Just Starting (0-10%) – Convict Lake – This photo says it all. The color is just beginning around Convict Lake. That’s probably a good thing for people out to see it, as road crews are paving the parking lot area, the accessible trail, and Convict Lake Road, limiting parking. Convict Lakes annual Ambush at the Lake Fishing Derby will continue through the end of the regular fishing season on Nov. 15.

Conway Summit (9/20/15) Alicia Vennos

Just Starting (0 -10%) – Conway Summit – As seen above, the aspen are mostly green with spots of yellow.  Golden grasses and bright yellow rabbitbrush provide nice foreground accents.

Patchy (10-50%) – McGee Creek Canyon – There’s gold and yellow to be seen among the aspen.  McGee Creek is still a week to 10 days away.  If you want to ride the area, the McGee Creek Pack Station remains open just through September.

Just Starting (0-10%) – Walker/Coleville – Aspen have begun turning lime-green with some yellow patches, though the cottonwood throughout the Antelope Valley are still mostly green. The last event to put on your calendar, should you plan trips to this area is Walker’s annual Deer Hunter Barbecue on Oct. 3.  Put on by the Antelope Valley Lions Club, this is the place to learn local secrets on where to hunt in the valley or what goes into their famous barbecue sauce. (530) 208-6078 is the number to call for more info. Finally, the Leavitt Meadows Pack Station plans to remain open through mid-October for fall color horseback rides in the Sonora Pass area.