June Is Bustin’ Out All Over – Go Now!

Gull Lake, June Lakes (10/10/13) Alicia Vennos

In the words of Rodgers and Hammerstein, “June is bustin’ out all over!”  We always get the most queries from color photogs and leaf peepers anxious about timing their visits to the Eastern Sierra and beautiful June Lake in Mono County, off US 395.  This week was no different.

Several wrote to us, nervous about what we’d report, as June hadn’t checked in for two weeks.  Well, pack your bags!  Mono County color spotter Alicia Vennos has confirmed that June IS bustin out all over.

June Lake is a special place to see fall color because of its impressive… no, I’m sorry, I meant to say, IMPRESSIVE landscapes.  Massive, snow-draped peaks rise in the background, while dazzling color is reflected in mountain lakes in the foreground.  

That’s the scene at June Lake, Gull Lake, Silver Lake and Grant Lake.   So, hold your breaths and adjust your white balance, as you’ll see auburn, flame red, pumpkin orange, cadmium yellow, lime green and azure blue.  We give it another week like this with full peak sometime next week, unless (fingers crossed) weather comes through.  But, why risk it?  Go now!

Here’s the latest from Mono County.

Conway Summit, Mono County (10/10/13) Alicia Vennos

Convict Lake (10/10/13) Peter Chun

GO NOW! – 75 – 100% – Convict Lake – It is absolutely golden surrounding this pond.

GO NOW! 50 – 75% – Conway Summit – Broad swaths of flickering yellow, tinged with orange and lime are making Conway Summit a sight to behold.  It’s still just short of peak, but very close.  Don’t wait.  The risk of winds or weather stripping the trees from their majesty is just too great.  Go now!

June Lake, Mono County (10/10/13) Alicia Vennos

June Lake Foothills, Mono County (10/10/13) Alicia Vennos

Grant Lake, June Lakes (10/10/13) Alicia Vennos

June Lake Loop (10/10/13) Alicia Vennos

GO NOW! – 75 – 100% – June Lake – This measurement is at the lower end of 75%.  Because of this, June Lake should have two weeks of good color.  Though, it is likely to peak early next week.  Conditions are ripe for great photography and leaf peeping this weekend.  For anyone who waited too long to see June peak, don’t blow it this year.  Go now!

Skiers and Riders: June Mountain ski area will be reopening again this winter, after a several year hiatus.  This is a fabulous ski mountain for families, boarders, and backcountry skiing (from a lift).  If you’ve not skied or ridden there previously, do yourself a favor and plan a trip this winter.  It’s great fun.

Lundy Lake, Mono County (10/8/13) Susan Johnson

GO NOW! 75 – 100% – Lundy Lake – The aspen surrounding Lundy Lake are deep orange, the deepest color we’ve seen them carry in many years.  Don’t miss this spectacular show.  Go now before the wind knocks them from branches!

Past Peak – Upper Rock Creek – You missed it.

Rock Creek (10/10/13) Peter Chun

30 – 50% – Lower Rock Creek – Still glowing and turning at lower elevations, though it’s now half off in upper areas.