Sagehen Meadows Peaks – GO NOW!

Sagehen Meadows leads the Eastern Sierra with a peak rating for its brightly colored groves of auburn, orange, gold, yellow and lime aspen.  For its singular position, Sagehen Meadow earns this week’s selection as “Hike of the Week.”

To get there, head to Mono County. Then take CA-120 east from U.S. 395 toward Old Benton. Between Navy Beach at Mono Lake and Old Benton is Sagehen Meadows, an area famous for its aspen. Views of Banner Peak, the Mono Craters, Mono Lake and the Eastern Sierra entertain you on the drive to and from Sagehen Meadows Road.

Other locations with Near Peak color in Mono County are Virginia Lakes and Upper Rock Creek.

Here’s a rundown on what fall color can be seen in Mono County.

Sagehen Meadow: Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! – If the sprawling groves of brilliant orange aspens weren’t enough reason to go, the views of Banner Peak and the Sierra Nevada, as well as Mono Lake, are well worth the drive! Stop at the Mono Mills Historic Site on the way out or back for a picnic, and, of course, the South Tufa Reserve to walk the out-of-this-world shores of Mono Lake.

Rock Creek & Virginia Lakes Road: Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW! – These high elevation areas are filling in with brilliant yellows and a few oranges. Swing by the Virginia Lakes Resort or Rock Creek Lake Resort (closed this weekend for a wedding) for breakfast or lunch after you enjoy the colorful drive.

Convict Lake, Conway Summit, Green Creek & Summers Meadow: Patchy (10-50%) – Start planning now so you don’t miss the colors in these areas! Although they are lime-green now, it should only be another week or two before colors are peaking.

June Lake Loop, Lee Vining Canyon, Lundy Lake, Walker/Coleville, Monitor Pass, Mammoth Lakes : Just Starting (0-10%) – While there is a little bit of activity up high, for the most part these areas are still mostly green with the occasional lime green or small patch of yellow. Likely a few weeks from significant color change. Stay tuned, and start planning for some time in October.

View the fall colors by horseback with one of the pack stations (please call for availability), soar over the colors with Skytime Helicopter Tours (fall & winter flight promotion: over 30% off 40-minute flights, additional discounts for groups of 4 or more), take the wheel on a High Sierra Jeep Adventure to access the secret, OHV-only fall color locations, or stick to smoother roads and enjoy fall color stops between beer tastings on with Eastern Sierra Brewery Tours!

Upcoming events:

• September 23-25 NEW! Mammoth Oktoberfest – Mammoth Lakes
• September 24 National Public Lands Day: Mammoth Lakes Basin Clean-Up and Free Entrance to Yosemite National Park
• September 30 – October 4 Fall Color Ride with Hunewill Ranch – Bridgeport
• October 1 June Lake Autumn Beer Festival – June Lake
• October 1 Deer Hunter BBQ – Walker/Coleville
• October 1-2 Annual Pumpkin Patch @ Chalfant Big Trees Farm – Chalfant
• October 14-16 Inspired by Nature: A Writer’s Retreat – June Lake