It’s Happening Big Time in Mono County

June Lake Loop (10/14/15) Alicia Vennos

When Alicia Vennos starts screaming “WoooooHooooo!,” as she did in today’s report, you know you’re gonna be up late posting it.

Sure ‘nough, Mono County is at peak or approaching it.  There are so many GO NOW! alerts in this report, that, well, the best advice I have is to just pack your bags for the weekend. And, the good news it’ll last for a week or two longer, given the weather doesn’t get blustery.

That’s a concern, as some precip is forecast for the weekend. Ugh!  So, GO NOW!, GO NOW!, GO NOW!

Laurel Creek (10/13/15) Alicia Vennos

OK, I know, not everyone can go now, and if you do visit on the weekend, though it will be truly fall weather, there’ll also be openings of wonderful soft light to accent the color.  Here’s what’s happening…

June Lake Loop (10/14/15) Alicia Vennos

Gull Lake (10/14/15) Alicia Vennos

Silver Lake (10/14/15) Alicia Vennos

Tioga Pass (10/8/15) Jeff Simpson

Lundy Falls (10/14/15) Alicia Vennos

Lundy Beaver Pond (10/14/15) Alicia Vennos

Mono Lake (10/14/15) Alicia Vennos

Conway Summit (10/14/15) Alicia Vennos

Dunderberg Meadow (10/12/14) Robin K. Roberts

Summers Meadow (10/12/15) Robin K. Roberts

Peak GO NOW! (75-100%) – Rock Creek – Most of Rock Creek Road is gorgeous and golden.  The newly paved road makes for a smooth and lovely ride both for motorists and cyclists.  Lower Rock Creek Road and trail which should be peaking within a week to 10 days, so expect this peak to continue for perhaps two weeks.

Peak GO NOW! (75-100%) – McGee Creek – The color all along the creek are at their prime which may last for the next two weeks judging from the amount of green remaining in many of the groves.

Convict Lake (10/14/15) Charles Porter

Peak GO NOW! (75-100%) – Convict Canyon/Convict Lake – The lower section of the canyon up through the campground/resort is at peak. The fall color in this area is spectacular, showing bright yellow, gold, orange and some red. The foliage along the lake has also started to peak and has greatly increased in intensity. The shoreline is traced with a line of yellow.  At the back of the lake, a bright ribbon of gold is snaking its way up the canyon. From bottom to the top of the canyon there are still some pockets of green next to sections that have already peaked. So, we’re good for a long peak here, conditions permitting. The Convict Lake Resort is offering an End-Of-Season Fall Lodging Special starting at $259+tax (Oct. 25 – Nov. 15; Sun. thru Thurs., two nights for two persons). Includes $100 restaurant credit & full-day motor boat rental. The Convict Lake fall fishing derby, “Ambush at the Lake” continues through Nov. 15, with up to $6,000 in prizes.

Peak GO NOW! (75-100%) – Laurel Canyon – A breathtaking ribbon of orange, red, and gold is stretching from top to bottom along Laurel Creek, creating an impressive contrast against the soft grey and green sage-covered hillside. Take Sherwin Creek Road of US 395 just south of Mammoth Lakes to see this colorful phenomenon up close.

Mammoth Lakes (10/12/15) Josh Wray

Twin Lakes, Mammoth Lakes (10/12/15) Josh Wray

Near Peak GO NOW! (50-75%) -Mammoth Lake is near or at peak with Mammoth Creek and the Twin Lakes absolutely glorious (see below).

Near Peak GO NOW! (50-75%) – June Lake Loop/Hwy. 158 – Yes, folks, “the Loop” is almost there! Shades of lime-green throughout the gold and orange remind us that the June Lake Loop is not quite at peak yet, but it is already worth the drive! Parker Lake trail should be at peak now; Walker Lake is probably getting close although we have not had any recent reports to confirm that assumption.

Past Peak YOU MISSED IT! – Sage Hen Meadow Road.

Patchy (10-50%) – Lee Vining Canyon – Tioga Pass Road and Poole Plant Road are still a week or more away from peaking.

Peak GO NOW! (75-100%) – Lundy Canyon. The lower part of Lundy Lake Road is at full peak, as are the aspens around the beaver ponds and the first set of waterfalls.  Oddly enough, there are still full groves at the Lundy Lake level that are still completely green so the color should last through the next two weeks.

BRIDGEPORT / CONWAY SUMMIT

Peak GO NOW! (75-100%) – Conway Summit.  Conway Summit is perfect right now! Bridgeport’s Ducks Unlimited Dinner is this Saturday, Oct. 17. Join Bridgeport locals at Memorial Hall for dinner and to find out their secret fall color and duck hunting spots.

Past Peak YOU MISSED IT! – Virginia Lakes

Peak GO NOW! (75-100%) – Green Creek/Summers Meadow.  Just south of Bridgeport, take the Green Creek Road and follow signs for Upper Summers Meadow, or stay on the main road to Green Creek trail or Dunderberg Meadow. Some groves are past peak but most are glowing orange and gold, and still others remain green.

WALKER / COLEVILLE / TOPAZ

Near Peak GO NOW! (50-75%) – Monitor Pass/Sonora Pass/Leavitt Meadows. Past peak at upper elevations but golden at lower levels.

Patchy (10-50%) – Walker Canyon/West Walker River/Towns of Walker & Coleville

Mammoth Creek, Mammoth Lakes (10/15/15) Lara Kaylor