Latest Prediction… “another week for things to start popping”

Color spotter Jared Smith of the Parcher’s Resort in Inyo County reports today that the full glory of Bishop Creek Canyon is still a ways off, though each day he’s seeing more and more Aspen turning lime green with a few branches displaying some bright yellow.  Jared predicts it will take another week for things to really start popping.

Wier Pond (9/16/11) © 2011 Jared Smith

15-30% – Weir Pond (9,592 ft) – The grass surrounding the pond has turned amber and the aspens on the west hill above the pond are just now starting to turn lime green with a touch of yellow beginning to show. Things are progressing quickly here as there was zero color 1 week ago.

0-15% – Parchers Camp (9,260 ft) –A little yellow on the east hills but not much going on just yet.

Parcher's Camp (9/16/11) © 2011 Jared Smith

North Lake Road (9/16/11) © 2011 Jared Smith

0-15% – North Lake (9,255 ft) – The grove on the west side of North Lake is still dark green but the aspens along the shoreline of the lake and along the road have started to lighten up considerably and are showing a nice lime green hue at present.

0-15% – Lake Sabrina (9,150 ft) – Not much going on at Sabrina just yet.

15 – 30% – Sabrina Camp Groves (9,000 ft) – One of the first areas in the canyon to show color is definitely on it’s way with some yellow and even some orange mixed in with the lime green aspens. I’m hoping this grove will be lit up within the next week. This grove is also one of the best areas to see bring red and orange when it peaks.

15 – 30% – Surveyor’s Meadow –Lots of lime green developing but only a few tiny patches of yellow showing.

Surveyor's Meadow (9/16/11) © 2011 Jared Smith

0-15% – Aspendell (8,500 ft) – Still mostly deep dark green aspens here.

0 – 15% – Cardinal Mine Grove (8,700 ft) –Lots of bright lime green showing but no yellow yet.

Cardinal Mine Grove (9/16/11) © 2011 Jared Smith

0 – 15% – Table Mountain Campground (8,900 ft) – Not much color but the aspens have lightened up a lot. Look for this area to light up within the next week.

15 – 30% – Mountain Glen Campground – A few tiny branches have turned yellow but the vast majority of the aspens are still green, albeit a bright lime green.

 0 – 15% – The Famous Mist Falls on South Fork Bishop Creek – Still a week or two off from much color at this location.

 0 – 15% – Four Jeffrey Camp Groves – Fall color in this area is always a late arrival – its going to be a few weeks at least before we see this area light up.

 0 – 15% – Willow Camp (9,065 ft) –The willows are turning gold but the aspens are still holding on to their lime green coloration. This area is notorious for developing color very fast and judging by past years I would expect some good stuff in the next week to 10 days.

Willow Camp (9/16/11) © 2011 Jared Smith

0 – 15% – South Lake(9,768 ft) – A few trees in the back of the lake are ahead of the game but 90% of the aspens are still green.