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Early Snow Doesn’t Disappoint

Yellow Edged Aspen at Convict Lake (10/6/2011) © 2011 Jennifer Heintzelman

For those concerned how the current winter storm is affecting the fall color, set aside your concerns.

These photos from color spotter Jennifer Heintzelman of the Convict Lake Report show that the aspen at Convict Lake are still green with an edging of yellow.  That means, few of them were knocked from the trees and with warmer autumn weather returning, they should turn color in coming weeks.

Convict Lake 10/6/2011 © 2011 Jennifer Heintzelman

15-30% Convict Lake  (7,850 ft.) — It’s pretty dark out now, Jennifer Heintzelman reports, though that hasn’t darkened the outlook for beautiful fall color at Convict Lake.  For those planning to head up, the lodge has, however, changed its  lodging specials and plans to close the restaurant due to exposure received on the front page of the L.A. Times Travel Section.

Colorful Aspen in Rock Creek Canyon (10/6/2011) © 2011Alicia Vennos

From Oct. 23-Nov. 15, Sunday – Thursday, Starting at $229+tax , two-night stay for two in a standard cabin, including use of a full day boat with motor.

Rock Creek Lake as storm clears (10/6/2011) © 2011 Alicia Vennos

The Convict Lake marina will remain open until November 15th and the Restaurant at Convict Lake until November 13th.

Here’s a rundown on Convict Lake fishing contests… what a great idea… combining Fishing and Fall Color!:

30-50% – Rock Creek Canyon – Gorgeous red and orange aspen, seen in photos taken by color spotter Alicia Vennos lit up a snow-covered Rock Creek Canyon today.  Expect the colors to be glorious this weekend with snow on peaks and the snow melted to reveal the color.

0-15% – Antelope Valley, Eastern Sierra (5,141 ft.) — Color spotter Tim Fesko from the Meadowcliff Resort reports the cold storm that has crossed Northern California “does not seem to have caused too much problems below the snow line.”  Tim was unable to get color percentage readings above 8,000 ft. as highways 108, 89 and 4 are not accessible due to snow.

0-15% – Yosemite Valley (4,000 ft.) — Color spotter Kevin Shelton of the Yosemite View Lodge in El Portal reports that the fall color is appearing about a week to two weeks behind normal with very little color yet showing in Yosemite Valley or the Merced River Canyon.

4 replies
  1. Alec says:

    Great work! I am heading up this Sunday (Mammoth) for 7 days with my 5D Mark II and plan on doing some hiking and capturing some great images during my trip.

    Can you recommend any great spots/locations/hikes to get some? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

    Thanks,

    Alec

    • John Poimiroo says:

      Great Hikes: 1) Since you’ll be in Mammoth Lakes, there are a number of great hikes on the Mammoth Lakes website: http://www.visitmammoth.com/static/index.cfm?action=group&contentID=356 and this general site: http://www.mammothweb.com/recreation/hiking.cfm. I’d begin by researching those, depending on whether you’re looking for a day hike or longer one. Certainly, for short walks, the lakes district is great. 2) The best color right now is up Rock Creek Canyon, south of Mammoth. Beautiful hikes are found there. 3) If you’re open to driving a bit further, head down to Bishop, then up Bishop Creek to Sabrina, North and South Lakes. Wonderful hikes are in the area. Here’s a link to great hikes there: http://www.thesierraweb.com/bishop/hiking.cfm. It looks like Monitor Pass (Hwy 89) is open again, though check with Caltrans. I’ve stopped, when the color has been peaking and hiked nearby… short walks. Since you’re leaving on Sunday, there’s time to look at the links I sent to find great hikes. You can’t go wrong in Mammoth Lakes… there’s certainly more than a week’s worth of scenic hikes to take.

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