Scouting Report: Eastern Sierra

Aspen, South Lake (8/15/16) John Poimiroo

Aspen, Parcher’s Resort (8/15/16) John Poimiroo

Spots of bright yellow have begun to appear in a few aspen and willows at high elevations in the Eastern Sierra (U.S. 395) from Bishop Creek to Carson Pass (CA-88).

This is normal and does not indicate an early autumn show, though the overall health and robust green color of the aspen forest is encouraging. Conditions permitting, the fall color display in the Eastern Sierra should be as good as ever.

The Eastern Sierra aspen forest is mostly devoid of black leaf spot fungus, as was prevalent in the Northern Sierra last autumn. Though, willows, particularly at higher elevations, are dusted with yellow-orange rust fungus, and some aspen leaves carry nipple galls (small cream-colored bulges that contain insect larvae). The rust and galls will have inconsequential effect on the show, however.

More of a threat to California fall color has been the decline of native lady bugs (replaced by imported foreign varieties), as lady bugs are voracious consumers of aphids which can destroy aspen leaves and their color.

Aphids do not kill aspen, but they do reduce their autumn beauty. An Alpine County resident said she’s noticed a larger than normal number of aphids, as evidenced by the honeydew they drip on cars and deck furniture.

Aspen, Parcher’s Resort (8/15/16) John Poimiroo

Willows, South Lake (8/15/16) John Poimiroo

South Lake (8/15/16) John Poimiroo

Mist Falls, Bishop Creek Canyon (8/15/16) John Poimiroo

0-10% – Just Starting – Bishop Creek Canyon and the Owens Valley – At Parcher’s Resort near South Lake, Jared Smith was encouraged by the high lake levels, which will provide brightly colored reflections at South, Sabrina and North Lake.

He reported that bright spots of yellow began appearing this week high up along the east canyon wall and among the willow.

In Bishop, towering cottonwood flanking the Owens River are verdant and seemingly unaware that autumn is approaching.

Twin Lakes, Mammoth Lakes (8/16/18) John Poimiroo

0-10% – Just Starting – Mammoth Lakes Basin – Similar spots of color are seen in the Lakes Basin at Mammoth Lakes. Mammoth Lakes’ many paved bike paths were full of families out for a ride through green groves of aspen. Mammoth Lakes Tourism is putting heightened emphasis on fall events, activities, festivals, programs and fall color reporting, this year, including locals recommending their favorite fall color hikes and rides. Mammoth Lakes Tourism has dedicated a page on their website to fall with new features and special offers.

June Lake (8/17/18) John Poimiroo

Aspen, Conway Summit (8/17/16) John Poimiroo

Aspen, Conway Summit (8/17/16) John Poimiroo

Virginia Lakes Rd (8/17/16) John Poimiroo

Virginia Lakes Resort (8/17/16) John Poimiroo

Summer berries and lupine, Virginia Lakes Rd (8/17/16) John Poimiroo

Rabbitbrush, aspen, Virginia Lakes Rd (8/17/16) John Poimiroo

0-10% – Just Starting – June Lake, Conway Summit, Virginia Lakes – No color is yet evident near June Lake or Conway Summit, where aspen are uniformly green. However, up toward Virginia Lakes, the change has started. Carolyn Webb of the Virginia Lakes Resort said “a burn (quick freeze) came through this past week, followed by spots of yellow appearing along the road.”

The color isn’t evident driving to the Virginia Lakes, but it is on the return when leaves are backlit by the sun.

Golden rabbit brush are beginning to bloom beside purple lupine beside the Virginia Lakes Road. For the coming month, the combination of early fall color and late blooming wildflowers can be seen at high elevations in the Eastern Sierra.

0-10% – Just Starting – Walker River and Antelope Valley – At Meadowcliff Lodge, north of Walker, Tim Fesko is still in summer season mode, too busy to notice early emerging fall color, though he is optimistic about the potential for this autumn’s display, noting how much rain and snow fell last winter.

0-10% – Just Starting – Monitor Pass – Hints of yellow are emerging as aspen lose their chlorophyll are seen in groves on the east side of Monitor Pass (CA-89) and beside the upper forks of the Carson River.

Markleeville Creek (8/17/18) John Poimiroo

Black cottonwood, Markleeville Creek (8/17/18) John Poimiroo

0-10% – Just Starting – Markleeville – Black cottonwood at the Markleeville Heritage and Nature Park are dark green, healthy and ready to reveal their golden color.

0-10% – Just Starting – Hope Valley and Carson Pass – Continuing north, the Hope Valley and Carson Pass (CA-88) have a mix of stressed (light green) to robust (dark green) aspen, though overall the forest is doing better. John Brissenden at Sorensen’s Resort near the junction of CA-88 and CA-89, was encouraged by the improved vitality of Hope Valley’s aspen groves.  Again, this area should expect a strong show of color this autumn.

The take away from this scouting trip is that Eastern Sierra deciduous trees and shrubs are healthy, robust and prime for a great show this fall.