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Hanging Out at McGee Creek

McGee Creek Canyon (10/1/16) Scott Turner

McGee Creek Canyon (10/1/16) Scott Turner

McGee Creek Canyon (10/1/16) Scott Turner

McGee Creek Canyon (10/1/16) Scott Turner

McGee Creek Canyon (10/1/16) Scott Turner

McGee Creek Canyon (10/1/16) Scott Turner

McGee Creek Canyon (10/1/16) Scott Turner

McGee Creek Canyon (10/1/16) Scott Turner

Sometimes you just want to hang out.  That’s what Scott Turner did this past weekend, opting to explore McGee Creek Canyon, “as opposed to a mad dash to different color spots.”

He reports McGee Creek Campground is just starting, but “Further up canyon from the trailhead to the bend in the canyon (about 1 mile), the color along the creek is patchy; most of the cottonwoods have turned, but the aspens are a mixture of orange, yellow, and lime.

“Along the trail, shrub aspen that climb the hillside and surround the creek crossing are Peaking or slightly Past Peak, following this weekend’s snow and wind.

“The color gets really good (at Peak, or slightly approaching Peak) at the beaver pond. The color up the hillsides and in the groves surrounding the pond are all at peak with a variety of warm shades turning the entire canyon gold.”

Scott added that the lower reaches of Lee Vining Canyon are just starting. Some aspen along the June Lake Loop look to be turning too, but are still Patchy – somewhere around 25%. Finally, he heard that Fern Lake is peaking.

McGee Creek (10/1/16) Becky

McGee Creek (10/1/16) Becky

Upper McGee Creek, Mono County – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!

Middle McGee Creek, Mono County – Patchy (10-50%)

McGee Campground, Mono County – Just Starting (0-10%)