California Fall Color

Dude, autumn happens here, too.

Here’s a roundup of color seen around the state.  We received photos only from Mono County.  I drove through Napa and Sonoma Counties today, but had no time to stop and take photos, so must leave that to local color spotters.  Visit the “About” page on this site to find our email address.

Also, if you’re frustrated that we haven’t responded to requests posted on our Facebook page, it got blocked by Facebook because we responded to a message sent to us by one of our color spotters.  The message was actually a Facebook virus that infected our site.  So, Facebook has blocked us from posting until they’re sure the virus is gone.

This blog, however, is not infected, so it will continue to post reports.  Because the Facebook message from the spotter related to “color change,” we thought it had something to do with fall color.  And, since it came from a productive spotter, we clicked on the request, only to learn today that it was a virus.

Because it was a virus and because we clicked to accept the color spotter’s request, the virus may have sent itself among our Facebook friends.  So, if you are a subscriber to our Facebook page and receive a request from us to something to do with “color change,” don’t accept it.   In the meantime, here’s what’s happening:

 

 

 

Eastern Sierra

Past Peak – Bishop Creek Canyon (above 7,500’) – All elevations above 7,500’ are now past peak, though some spectacular color can be seen in pockets of the Bishop Creek Canyon.

75 – 100% – Bishop Creek Canyon (below 7,500’) – The lower areas of Bishop Creek Canyon are in their glory, with lots of yellow and spots of orange.

50 – 75% – Owens Valley - The color seen in Bishop and other towns long US 395 contrasted with snow atop Eastern Sierra peaks is breathtaking.

75 – 100% – Convict Lake – The mix of snow and fall color this past week has been beautiful.

75 – 100% – Mammoth Lakes – Spirits are up at Mammoth Mountain which reported 18” of new snow on the mountain this past week.  Combined with the fall color that’s still to be seen in the Lakes Basin, the area is “stunning.”

75 – 100% – June Lake – Color is at peak along the June Lake Loop, described by a reporter as “magnificent.”  The early snow has provided beautiful contrast.

Western Sierra

30 – 50% – Yosemite Valley – Dogwood are coloring pink, the bigleaf maple have dropped leaves into fern spring  and the black oak are turning bright orange and black in time for Halloween.  The famous pioneer Eastern Sugar Maple near the Yosemite chapel is past peak.  Yosemite nature photographer, Michael Frye reports on his blog (see link at left), “… autumn is arriving slowly. I found some nice color across the river from El Capitan, underneath Middle Cathedral Rock, where most of the maples have turned yellow. Some other maples around the valley have also turned, along with a few dogwoods and cottonwoods, but most of the deciduous trees are still green.  It looks like the peak color is still at least a week away, but the good news is that most of the trees seem to be in good shape. The leaves on a few dogwoods have already wilted and turned brown, but these are a small minority. Last year most of the cottonwood leaves wilted before changing color, but this year the cottonwoods look normal—if still mostly green.”

Gold Country

75 – 100% – Sierra Foothills – Grasses and ground covers in the Sierra foothills are glowing golden with splashes of maroon, along Latrobe Road, CA-16 and Buena Vista Road.  Amador County vineyards are just beginning to show yellow and auburn, mostly lime green on the vines.

North Coast

30 – 50% – Napa Valley – A hillside of vines at the intersection of CA-12 and the Silverado Trail is flush with ruby, yellow, orange and lime.

30 – 50% – Carneros – Vines near Cuvaison and Domaine Carneros at CA-12 and Duhig Rd. are yellow, red and lime.

30 – 50% – Valley of the Moon, Sonoma County – Vines along Stage Gulch Rd (CA-116) now sparkle with red, yellow and lime.

Jared Smith, Krisdina Karady and the team at Parchers Resort in the Eastern Sierra (South Lake, Bishop Creek Canyon) go out with a bang on this, their final report of 2012.  Our deep thanks are expressed to Jared and his team for more than a month of great reports.  Here’s his last, though it doesn’t mean the color has ended in the Eastern Sierra.

Overall Conditions above 8500ft

The majority of the color above 8500ft is now past its prime or gone entirely but there are still glimpses of beauty to be had in a few groves in the 8500 to 9000ft level, especially above Willow Camp and behind Table Mountain Campground.

Overall Conditions below 8500ft

Peak color is upon us in the 8000ft to 8500ft range, especially near Aspendell and along the South Fork Bishop Creek by Bishop Creek Lodge. The forecast looks cold and breezy next week so it’s anyone’s guess if it will hold out but as of today, it is spectacular.

75-100% – South Lake Rd above Mt. Glen Camp (8600ft)

Mostly past peak, but still a lot of nice creek shots with some yellow, orange and a little red to be found.

75-100% – Mountain Glen Campground (8400ft)

This area is right about the cutoff from peak color to past peak. Some thick groves of old growth aspen are really putting on a show here. Along with the Bishop Creek Lodge area, this is possibly the finest color in the canyon at present.

75-100% – Mist Falls and the groves above Bishop Creek Lodge (8350ft)

This area is brilliant and in full peak color with lots of yellow and some orange as well. Stunning views of these groves this week.

75-100% – Groves above Cardinal Village & Aspendell (8550ft)

Its go-time in Aspendell as the aspen are putting on a real show. Best on the middle fork.

75-100%% – Forks Campground (8000ft – 8300ft)

There is one spectacular grove of Aspen just below Intake II and just above Forks Campground. A very unique rock formation above the campground makes for some very interesting opportunities for the avid photographer.

Past Peak – Table Mountain Camp (8900ft)

A few stands of Aspen left, especially if you walk into the campground to view the grove east towards the peaks but the majority of the aspen have lost their leaves.

Past Peak – Surveyors Meadow (8975ft)

Not much left here, just a few trees left showing some rosy hues and yellow.

Past Peak – Willow Campground (9100ft)

Most of the color found along the roadside last week is completely gone however there is still some great stuff if you go into the campground and walk from there towards Parchers Resort along the old road. Still some great cottonwoods and aspen with brilliant yellow and there are a few bright red snowberry bushes on the granite cliffs offering a very cool contrast between granite, aspen and red brush.

Past Peak – Lake Sabrina (9150ft)

Pretty much done for the season.

Past Peak – North Lake (9255ft)

Not much left at the lake but the view from above looking down on Aspendell is still worth a Look.

All Photographs Copyright 2012 by Jared Smith, www.SmithSierraPhotography.com or courtesy of fall color contributor Krisdina Karady.

Location: Bishop, Calif.
Temperature: 80.6 °F
Humidity: 11%
Dew point: 23 °F
Wind speed: 11km/hr
Wind direction: 160°
Cloud cover: n/a

Color spotter Jared Smith of Parchers Resort near South Lake reports dramatic change of color up Bishop Creek Canyon in the Eastern Sierra.  Here’s his report:

Overall Conditions (above 8,500ft) – There is such a drastic difference in color between the higher reaches of the canyon and the lower that I decided to go ahead split the overview into two sections for the remainder of our fall color reports. So, above the 8500ft level, many areas have drastically changed from last week with many groves going from green to peak color in just over one week’s time… incredible. Plenty of yellow with touches of orange, rose, and red showing both on the middle fork of Bishop Creek towards Sabrina as well as around North Lake. Brilliant yellows and oranges are dominating the So. Fork Bishop with probably the most vibrant groves showing between Mountain Glen Campground and Weir Pond.

Overall Conditions (below 8,500ft) – A little yellow popping here and there with considerable lightening of the aspen and cottonwoods from dark forest green to lime green. Look for this to improve vastly in the next week.

75-100% – Table Mountain Camp (8,900ft) – The hill is on fire with much of the aspen displaying the full glory of autumn color. Still some late bloomers in the mix making for a great mix of  yellow, lime green and orange.

75-100% – Surveyors Meadow (8,975ft) – Another area that really popped this week is Surveyor’s meadow aproximately a mile down from Parchers Resort. Color is splashed from the creekside trail all the way up the mountain to near the Tyee Lakes trail. Still some green left to turn but I would guess this area to be at peak color next week.

50-75% – Lake Sabrina (9,150ft) – Lake Sabrina continues to put on a show, especially the grove across from the café which is notorious for showing some of the most vibrant red in the canyon.

 

75-100% – North Lake (9,255ft) – I have never seen such a quick transformation as I’ve seen at North Lake since last week. Even day by day the color is popping everywhere. Some of the aspen which were green last week are peaking or even slightly past peak. Still, plenty of gorgeous yellow along the famous North Lake Road along the lake as well as near the campground entrance. The grove that popped first below the first parking lot is starting to fade but there is a lot of great color surrounding the lake and up into the campground.

75-100% – Steiny Loop above Mt. Glen Camp (8,600ft) – This is kind of a sleeper spot as the dirt road accessing this beautiful stretch of aspen growth is easy to miss. Still, if you keep an eye out to your left about a mile past Mountain Glen Campground you should find it. The aspen all along the creek and on either side of the road are at or very near peak color….spectacular.

30-50% – Mist Falls and the groves above Bishop Creek Lodge (8,350ft) – Not much going on last week but as was the case in much of the canyon, this is a very different week with color developing quickly.

0-15% – Aspendell (8400ft) – It’s a bit surprising given the color just a mile up the road but the aspen in and around this small community on the middle fork of Bishop Creek is still green as green can be. This is a good thing there is plenty of color now and it would be nice to have some more areas developing great fall color in the coming weeks.

50-75% – Groves above Cardinal Village (8550ft) – Brilliant color dominates the vista from just above Aspendell with the crest in the background and plenty of yellow and some orange in the foreground. This area is much closer to the 75% rating and may very well peak within the week. Gorgeous views driving up Hwy 168 towards Lake Sabrina

Jared promises additional reports from Four Jeffery Camp, Intake II, Big Trees Camp next week – all of which are currently at 0-15% of peak color.  To plan a trip to Inyo County, visit www.theothersideofcalifornia.com

MONO COUNTY

Alicia Vennos of Mono County (Eastern Sierra) advises that though an area may have a low overall percent change, pockets of color within an area may be peaking, so don’t avoid visiting an area just because a lower percentage of change is being reported.   Here’s an example of this phenomenon from Lundy Canyon.

0 – 15% – Lower Lundy Canyon - At lower elevations from 7,000 – 8,000 feet, the aspen are still largely green, just starting to turn lime to yellow.  Lower Lundy Canyon, Lower Rock Creek and the famous June Lake Loop (Hwy. 158)  have only just begun to show the change.  However, elevations above 8,500′ are peaking.

 

75 – 100% – Lundy Lake - At Lundy Lake, the color is above 75%, but as you drive higher to the trailhead, the aspen are still very green — with some completely past peak and everywhere in between!

30 – 50-% – Lundy Canyon Trailhead - At the Lundy Canyon trailhead, aspen above the beaver dam are at 40% of peak

75 – 100% – Lundy Canyon Avalanche Zone – Gnarled aspen in the avalanche zone are at peak with many already past.

75 – 100% – Canyons above 8,500 feet - the colors are peaking or approaching peak.  Rock Creek, McGee Creek (upper trail at first stream crossing) and Virginia Lakes (9,000′) are all approaching peak.  Below 8,500′, the colors are two weeks from peak.

15 – 30% – Lower McGee Creek -Color spotter Whitney Lennon sends photos taken along McGee Creek, south of Mammoth Lakes (off U.S. 395).  She says Lower McGee Creek has a way to go, perhaps two weeks to peak.

50 – 75% – Conway Summit - Approaching peak.

Planning a trip to Mono County:  Alicia suggests now’s the time to plan a trip to see the always-wonderful June Lake Loop.  Don’t wait until we report “Go Now!” or you may miss it entirely.  Her advice is sound in that we measured significant change up Bishop Creek Canyon this past week.  Those holding off visiting until later are likely to be disappointed.   A central site for lodging and camping suggestions is www.MonoCounty.org.  Additional lodging suggestions are found at www.visitmammoth.com.

To get to Mono County, drive US 395 along the Eastern Sierra or from LAX, fly direct to Mammoth Yosemite Airport (MMH) on Alaska Airlines.

 

Location: Bishop Airport, Bishop, CA
Temperature: 77 °F
Humidity: 19%
Dew point: n/a
Wind speed: 4km/hr
Wind direction: 20°
Cloud cover: n/a

Overall Bishop Creek Canyon – Eastern Sierra - Including lower reaches of Bishop Creek Canyon, color spotter Jared Smith assesses the overall condition as 30-50% of full color, though the entire canyon is closer to 50% than 30%.   Jared says popular areas like North Lake and Aspendell are starting to pop in a big way and areas like Surveyors Meadow and just below Table Mountain are at or very near peak.

75 – 100% – Table Mountain Camp (8,900′) - The week to week transformation of this area is stunning (as seen in the attached photos taken a week apart).  There’s still quite a bit of lime, though so much as turned that we rate it at peak.  Note the reds and oranges that have appeared among the aspen in the past week.

75 – 100% – Surveyor’s Meadow (8,975′) - Just a mile short of Parcher’s Resort on South Lake Road, Surveyor’s Meadow, like Table Mountain Camp is full of dazzling color.

50 - 75% – Lake Sabrina (9,150′) - Approaching peak, a lot of color has appeared in the past week.

30 – 50% – North Lake (9,255′) - North Lake has been developing slower than other areas of the Bishop Creek Canyon, though that can change quickly.  It’s approaching 50% with lots of bright yellow.

75 – 100% – Steiny Loop abobe Mt. Glen Camp (8,600′) - Orange and yellow among the aspen.  This is often considered one of the sleeper areas of Bishop Creek Canyon.

 

Location: Bishop Airport, CA
Temperature: 86 °F
Humidity: 12%
Dew point: 28.4 °F
Wind speed: 8km/hr
Wind direction: 170°
Cloud cover: n/a

 

Color spotter Jon Klusmire sends these photographs taken Sunday along South Lake Road.  The forest is at full peak above 9,500′

75 – 100% – Upper Bishop Creek Canyon (9,000′) – Full peak.

Location: Bishop, Bishop Airport
Temperature: 64.4 °F
Humidity: 31%
Dew point: 33.8 °F
Wind speed: 4km/hr
Wind direction: 320°
Cloud cover: n/a

Here’s video verification as to why California’s Eastern Sierra is one of the most beautiful places in America to see fall color. An oldie, but goodie.

 

What a difference a week makes.  Color spotter Jared Smith of the Parchers Resort near South Lake (Bishop Creek Canyon) reports impressive change this week with color exceeding 50% in several areas.  Here’s his report and comparative photos of the change.

30-50% Overall Conditions – Really impressive change in the amount and intensity of the fall color throughout the canyon since last week. Still lots of green below 9,000 ft but the color is coming on really fast at the higher reaches of the canyon and some of the groves are looking very brilliant. Barring any adverse weather, now through mid October is the zone for those who enjoy the autumn speander. Due to the elevation variance our canyon is tough to put an overall grade on but its certainly safe to say that starting now, there is a great amount of color to be seen.

 

50-75% – Table Mountain Camp (8,900 ft) – Incredible transformation from last week with with well over half of the aspen in this grove exhibiting  bright yellow and some orange. Still some greenery left to turn but this is one of the nicest areas right now.

50-75% – Surveyors Meadow (8,975 ft) – Another area that really popped this week is Surveyor’s meadow aproximately a mile down from Parchers Resort. Color is splashed from the creekside trail all the way up the mountain to near the Tyee Lakes trail. Still some green left to turn but I would guess this area to be at peak color next week.

30-50% – Lake Sabrina (9,150 ft) – Lake Sabrina really went off this week with a drastic change in color. Still a bit off the best peak color I’ve seen there but it certainly breathtaking even right now. The water level is a bit low this year due to the weak winter we had but the aspens clearly don’ t seem to mind.0-15% – North Lake (9,255 ft) – Still not much happening at North Lake yet with exception to the lower parking lot which has a nice stand of trees showing a bunch of bright yellow.

50-75% – Steiny Loop above Mt. Glen Camp (8,600 ft) – This is kind of a sleeper spot as the dirt road accessing this beautiful stretch of aspen growth is easy to miss. Still, if you keep an eye out to your left about a mile past Mountain Glen Campground you should find it. Very even yellow with some orange hues coming through as well. This is certainly near the higher end of the range – somewhere close to 75% and will likely be in peak color come next week.

All Photographs Copyright 2011 by Jared Smith, www.SmithSierraPhotography.com or courtesy of fall color contributors Krisdina Karady.

Location: Bishop, Bishop Airport
Temperature: 80.6 °F
Humidity: 17%
Dew point: n/a
Wind speed: n/a
Wind direction: n/a
Cloud cover: n/a

This past Saturday, I headed to Mammoth Lakes in the Eastern Sierra for the Outdoor Writers Association of California fall meeting.  My route crossed Echo Summit (U.S. 50); Luther Pass and Monitor Pass (CA-89); and Devil’s Gate Pass, Conway Summit and Deadman Summit (U.S. 395).

Side trips during the conference took me through Mono and Inyo Counties, along U.S. 395 and over Sherwin Summit to Bishop, then up Bishop Creek Canyon to the Parcher’s Resort at South Lake.  I also joined outdoor writers on a Jeep expedition south of Mammoth Lakes and up Laurel Creek Canyon to 10,300′.

Returning yesterday, I checked the state of color change along U.S. 395 at June Lake and up the Virginia Lakes Canyon.  I then crossed Sonora Pass (CA 108) to the Golden Chain Highway (CA 49) and rode north to El Dorado County.

I came away with an overall impression of what fall color will look like on Saturday, when autumn arrives officially.

My conclusion: The most colorful display (red, orange, yellow, gold, lime, dark green) will occur in the Bishop Creek Canyon (west of Bishop) toward South, North and Sabrina Lakes.  Though, fluttering yellow and lime will be seen in stands of aspen above 9,000′ throughout the Eastern Sierra.

Pockets of nice color can be found below 9,000′, though lower elevations are still two to three weeks away before they approach 50% change.

Here’s what I found:

U.S. 50

0 – 15% - Bracken fern have turned yellow-orange between 2,000 and 3,000′. At 6,000′, quaking aspen are liming with some yellow.  From Strawberry Lodge to Sierra at Tahoe, willows have turned yellow to gold with lots of the drainage plants having turned.

CA – 89/88

0 – 15% – Luther Pass – Quaking aspen lining the edge of Grass Lake are showing the slightest change in color.

0 – 15% - Hope Valley – Several stands of quaking aspen have turned yellow near the Sorenson’s Resort, though peak appears to be two weeks away.

0 – 15% – Monitor Pass – There is some lime showing among the several stands of aspen along the pass, but very little yellow yet showing.

U.S. 395

0 – 15% - Conway Summit – Groves of aspen to the west of the highway, approaching the summit are liming and tinged with yellow and gold, particularly at sunset.

 

15 – 30% - Virginia Lakes Canyon (9,200′) – Aspen not near water are showing signs of stress.  Paul McFarland of Friends of the Inyo, a non-profit cooperative association that helps public agencies protect the Eastern Sierra, commented that he believes the previous dry winter has parched some trees and will lead to disappointing color in areas not near water sources.  That phenomenon was seen in select stands of aspen, where leaves appeared desicated or spotted.  However, most of the trees appear healthy, with their leaves green and shiny.

15 – 30% – Lundy Canyon - Color spotter Janet Fullwood reports color starting to appear in Lundy Canyon.  It is similar to Virginia Lakes Canyon.

However, leaves on aspen near water sources are deeply green and appear healthy.  Color spotter Carolyn Webb of the Virginia Lakes Resort believes it’s too early to tell whether the show will match previous years, though there’s still plenty of time for the trees to color up.

The weather at Virginia Lakes has been ideal for fishing and should continue through the weekend.  Plan on the best color appearing in the next two weeks.

0 – 15% – June Lakes Basin – Too early.  Plan for color to be near peaking in two to three weeks.  In the meantime, the fishing is great!

0 – 15% – Mammoth Lakes Basin – Too early.  Plan for color to be near peaking in two to three weeks.  More great fishing here and nearby.

0 – 15% – U.S. 395 – The upper reaches of the Hilton Creek drainage (south of Mammoth Lakes) seen from U.S. 395 are aglow with orange, yellow and lime aspen.

15 – 30% – Laurel Lakes Canyon – Lots of lime and yellow are beginning to show among the aspen lining Laurel Creek.  This is a rock and boulder strewn Jeep road that should be driven only with a 4WD vehicle.  Only a couple of turnouts exist, so it’s a long drive uphill to get to one, once you pass the color.

CA 168

15 – 30% – Bishop Creek Canyon – Dogtrekker.com editor Janet Fullwood (who won two photography awards at the Outdoor Writers conference) provided the following photograph taken in Bishop Creek Canyon.  This area is prime to be full of color this weekend and for the next couple of weeks.

U.S. 395

0 – 15% – Whitney Portal Road – Color spotter Dennis Vance sends this photo taken last Sunday at the  Mount Whitney Portal trail at Big Horn Sheep Meadow as well as Out Post Camp.  He saw a ” shade of yellow appearing on the willows within the meadow at 10,300′.

CA – 108

15 – 30% - Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center – An impressive stand of quaking aspen is beginning to glow.

30 – 50% - Leavitt Meadows Pack Station - A spectacular stand of quaking aspen is seen on the eastern side of Sonora Pass at the Leavitt Meadows Pack Station.

0 – 15% - Sonora Pass (8,000′) – Clusters of robust aspen are seen at 8,000′, a dried out stand of aspen is found at 9,000′.

0 – 15 - Stanislaus National Forest – California is one of the few fall color destinations where wildflowers continue to bloom as trees turn color.  This is seen at the entrance to the Eureka Valley Campground where a mullein grandmother plant and Yosemite aster bloom near stands of Fremont Cottenwoods with their distinctive tear drop shaped lime to yellow leaves.  Black oak are still three weeks away from showing their deep orange color.

CA 49

0 – 15% – The only gold to be found along Hwy 49 is in the Gold Country’s stream beds, as cottonwood, maple and oaks are still dressed in green.

Shasta Cascade

0 – 15% - Sarah, a color spotter in the Shasta Cascade reports it’s still too early to see much change throughout the region, though expect ground plants in Lassen Volcanic National Park to turn color, first.

Find of the day: “The Big Cheese” sandwich served at Tahlula’s Restaurant in Sonora… a grilled combo of bacon, mac ‘n’ cheese, chedder, mozarella and parmesan.  It’s worth the drive, even if there’s little fall color yet to be seen along Hwy 49.

Location: Mammoth / June Lakes
Temperature: 48.2 °F
Humidity: 49%
Dew point: 30.2 °F
Wind speed: n/a
Wind direction: n/a
Cloud cover: n/a

Today, when I commented to color spotter Jared Smith of the Parcher’s Resort that a lot of lime must now be showing, Jared responded, “You’d be surprised.” Jared reports lots of lime, but also “a lot of yellow splashes” at the highest elevations above 9,000 ft. in the Eastern Sierra.

So, we’re officially calling this California’s first report of autumn.  If you’re planning to photograph the aspen at the highest elevations, plan to go during the next two weeks.  When the color turns from 9,000 to 10,000′, it turns quickly.  Tomorrow, we’ll be issuing a full report and (hopefully) will send photos to meteorologists across California.  In the meantime, here’s the first report:

0 – 15% – Upper Bishop Creek Canyon – lots of lime and splashes of yellow are now appearing at Sabrina, North and South Lakes in the upper Bishop Creek Canyon.  It could peak anytime within the next two weeks at that elevation.  Historically, the peak has been close to the first day of autumn, so consider visiting in the week before or after Sept. 22.  Bring camera.

Rob Bohning is one of several talented photographers whose work has graced this blog.  Rob was out and about the east side and proves through these beautiful images that even though an area is being reported as past peak, there’s still a lot of beauty to be seen.

Past Peak – Bishop Creek Canyon - There’s still a lot of great color with golden aspen at peak.  Intake II off Hwy 168 had awesome orange and gold around the lake.  Also, Aspendell was a great surprise and the aspen there was peak.

Past Peak – McGee Creek Canyon - Though past peak, there’s still lots of nice color along the hike with about 70-80% remain

Past Peak – Convict Lake - About 50-60% remain

Past Peak – June Lake Loop - This is a mixed bag. Grant  Lake has the most color. As you drive towards Silver lake, there is some great color on the right side, some has not begun to change, and some is full peak.  Near Silver Lake, most color around the lake is now past peak, though about 70% remain. Driving further along Hwy 158 towards Gull Lake there is some nice color on both sides of the road. June Lake color is also past peak, about 50-60% remain.

75 – 100% – Lundy Canyon was gorgeous and at peak, now. Some vibrant oranges and reds speckled throughout. Lundy Lake is gorgeous, though past peak.. about 70% remain.  Color spotter Alicia Vennos adds, “From Lundy Lake, drive a one-lane dirt road for about  1.4 miles to the trailhead – you will see lots of photographers at the first beaver pond.   From the trailhead to the Lower Lundy Falls (most popular viewpoint) is .5 miles uphill.  After that, it levels out for about a ¼-mile to the Beaver Pond, another popular destination especially if you’re hiking with younger kids.  From the Beaver Pond  to the second set of beautiful falls, it’s about another mile of fairly steady uphill, through a couple of wonderful aspen groves, across a stream, past an old mining cabin.  The final giant falls coming down from Twenty Lakes Basin is approximately another ¾ miles, again a steady climb.  The whole trail is 6 miles, round-trip, and worth every step!

Victor Cooper’s photograph of Lundy Canyon (seen at left) shows the most recent state of color change.  Many of the leaves have fallen or are now falling, though bright color still remains.  Alicia Vennos confirms this, writing, “the aspen groves are a mix of still-vibrant color along with trees that have already lost their leaves… Lundy Canyon, June Lake Loop, McGee Creek and Lower Rock Creek along the bike trail, are the best bets.”

Past Peak – Conway Summit – Though the summit is past peak, some great color, about 80%, remains

75 – 100% – Sonora Pass - Dazzling with color.. lots of color left

Past Peak – Virginia Lakes - Carolyn Webb reports that leaves are off the aspen and that there’ll be no more reports for this season, though plan to travel to the Virginia Lakes next year for more summer fun and early autumn fall color.  CLICK HERE for more about the Virginia Lakes Resort.

CLICK HERE to see photo updates on Mono County Tourism’s Facebook page.