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Little Lakes and Convict Lake Break Out

Little Lakes Valley, Rock Creek Rd. (8/31/16) Josh Wray

Little Lakes Valley, Rock Creek Rd. (8/31/16) Josh Wray

Little Lakes Valley in the Eastern Sierra near Mammoth Lakes is known for breaking out early, though Convict Lake usually waits to be paroled.

Color spotter Josh Wray escaped his office in Mammoth Lakes today and ran right to these High Sierra hideouts to see how fall color is developing.  He said the beautiful warm days and cool nights that Mammoth has experienced lately inspired his breakout.

Rock Creek Rd. (8/31/16) Josh Wray

Rock Creek Rd. (8/31/16) Josh Wray

Little Lakes Valley, Rock Creek Rd. (8/31/16) Josh Wray

Little Lakes Valley, Rock Creek Rd. (8/31/16) Josh Wray

Little Lakes Valley, Rock Creek Rd. (8/31/16) Josh Wray

Little Lakes Valley, Rock Creek Rd. (8/31/16) Josh Wray

Little Lakes Valley, Rock Creek Rd. (8/31/16) Josh Wray

Little Lakes Valley, Rock Creek Rd. (8/31/16) Josh Wray

True to form, Little Lakes Valley beyond Rock Creek Rd. is showing more lime and yellow among the quaking aspen, than Convict Lake where most color has tainted the willows, yellow-orange, but both are showing signs of color. Here’s what he found:

Patchy (10-50%) – Little Lakes Valley  Rock Creek Rd. above 9,000ft – The Little Lakes Valley is off to a great start and is pretty far ahead of the rest. Changing color starts at about 8,500ft and there are some dark green giant aspens featuring bright yellow leaves at the top already. The aspen groves surrounding Rock Creek Lake have started the transition into lime green colors while trees higher up on the ridge already contain a mostly yellow shade. I give this spot two weeks until the largest groves start showing significant changes in coloring. Get up there early morning for soft light and while the lake is calm for epic photo ops. 

Convict Lake (8/31/16) Josh Wray

Convict Lake (8/31/16) Josh Wray

Convict Lake (8/31/16) Josh Wray

Convict Lake (8/31/16) Josh Wray

Little Lakes Valley, Rock Creek Rd. (8/31/16) Josh Wray

Little Lakes Valley, Rock Creek Rd. (8/31/16) Josh Wray

Little Lakes Valley, Rock Creek Rd. (8/31/16) Josh Wray

Little Lakes Valley, Rock Creek Rd. (8/31/16) Josh Wray

Little Lakes Valley, Rock Creek Rd. (8/31/16) Josh Wray

Little Lakes Valley, Rock Creek Rd. (8/31/16) Josh Wray

Just Starting (0-10%) – Convict Lake above 7,800ft –  Not worth a trip specific to fall colors right now, but some willows are changing near the outlet while the aspen grove tucked back in the canyon across the lake is showing a little bit. Nothing major though. With water levels up quite a bit from last year and a drier summer (helping prevent the black spot disease), the fall colors at Convict Lake should display one of the best presentations in years. This spot tends to peak around the middle of October given the fact that it’s elevation is a bit lower than other hotspots. Make sure to hit this spot in the early morning as well. And once it’s at peak take a little walk to the wooden path on the backside. You’ll be glad you did.

2 replies
  1. Kevin says:

    Great information on this blog! Any thoughts on when the lake Sabrina area might be bursting into color this year?

    • John Poimiroo says:

      On schedule, it should be near peak to peaking the weeks of Sept. 19 – 30. The early part of this range will be near peak, the second half at peak. Peak will likely continue there or nearby for at least two weeks into October, though late September is prime for Sabrina.

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