Mono Peaking Everywhere – Don’t Delay – GO NOW!

Lundy Canyon (10/12/16) Darrell Sano

“Everything, everywhere (in Mono County) is peaking right now, including the June Lake Loop which is glowing and brilliant especially ‘down canyon’ from the Double Eagle Resort to Grant Lake,” reports color spotter, Alicia Vennos.

If you can get there today, GO NOW! As, it may not be there in a day or two. Darrell Sano visited on 10/12 and plans to continue photographing on 10/13, right up to the point when the scene might be gone with the wind.

Alicia advises that a storm is expected on Friday (10/14), with a break Saturday (10/15), and potentially more precipitation on Sunday (10/16). The storm could close Tioga and Sonora passes, though the freeze is expected to be very high.

Tip: During and immediately following an early winter, the scene is spectacular as trees, heavy with fall color, are dusted with snow.

Alicia suggests that anyone traveling this weekend should consult the weather forecast and road conditions (1-800-427-7623) before heading to the East Side in order to avoid road and pass closings.

Litttle Walker Lake (10/10/16) Alicia Vennos

Iconic locations at peak include the June Lake Loop, Convict Lake, Conway Summit, Walker Canyon, McGee Canyon, Twin Lakes and Summers Meadow.

Areas near the end of peak and likely to transition to past peak this weekend include Monitor Pass, Sonora Pass, Lobdell Lake (4WD high clearance vehicles only) and Parker Lake.

WALKER / COLEVILLE / TOPAZ

Monitor Pass – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! – You’ll see color from top to bottom right now. Check road conditions before attempting to cross this pass.

Horse Creek Falls Trail, Twin Lakes (10/10/16) Alicia Vennos

Lobdell Lake – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! – Still some brilliant colors but most leaves will be blown off by the end of the weekend. For 4WD high clearance vehicles only.

Walker Canyon – Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW! – Lots of yellows around every bend working all the way up to Sonora Pass. Still a few days short of full peak. 

Towns of Walker & Coleville – Patchy (10-50%) – Just getting started but those iconic cottonwood trees will be perfect next weekend. 

Sonora Pass – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! – An incoming storm this weekend may close the pass and the fall color door on this location. Check road conditions before attempting to cross this pass.

 BRIDGEPORT / VIRGINIA LAKES

Twin Lakes – Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW!  – Still a little green around Upper and Lower Lakes and through the campgrounds of Robinson Creek. Hike the Horsetail Falls or Barney Lake trails for peak colors. 

Virginia Lakes (10/12/16) Darrell Sano

Conway Summit (10/12/16) Darrell Sano

Virginia Lakes – Past Peak YOU MISSED IT!

Conway Summit – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! – Still slightly green in some spots but will be perfect later this weekend, conditions permitting, especially on the south side of Conway near the Mono Lake overlook.  Check this location post storm for snowy mountains in the background and fall color in the foreground. 

Green Creek – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! – Past peak in the upper elevations, especially on the hike to Green Lake. Colors around the road and campgrounds are at peak color. 

Summers Meadow – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! – This location will be gleaming with color the next 10 days

Sunrise, Mono Lake (10/12/16) Darrell Sano

LEE VINING 

Tioga Pass & Lee Vining Canyon – Near Peak (50-75%) Go Now! – Lee Vining Canyon is just getting going while the colors around Tioga Pass and Saddlebag are past peak. Check road conditions before attempting to cross this pass.

Lundy Lake (10/12/16) Darrell Sano

Lundy Canyon (10/12/16) Darrell Sano

Lundy Lake & Canyon – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! Lundy Canyon and around the beaver ponds are at full peak while colors around the lake and campground are still spotty. 

BENTON & 120 EAST 

Sagehen Meadow – Past Peak YOU MISSED IT!

JUNE LAKE LOOP

June Lake Loop/Hwy 158 – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! Groves of brilliant yellow, gold and red in some locations while others are still patchy. The drive around the June Lake Loop (Hwy. 158) is especially gorgeous down canyon from the Double Eagle Resort to Grant Lake. 

Parker Lake (10/12/16) Darrell Sano

Parker Lake – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! – Colors are still unbelievable at Parker Lake. Take the Parker Bench Trail from Silver Lake Resort for a more difficult but worthy fall color experience.

Litttle Walker Lake (10/10/16) Alicia Vennos

Litttle Walker Lake (10/10/16) Alicia Vennos

Little Walker Lake – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! –Little Walker Lake is finally starting to shine and should be perfect over the next 5 days. 

MAMMOTH LAKES

Lakes Basin – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! – Colors around the Mammoth Lakes Basin are at full peak.

Mammoth Creek Road – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! – Take the drive around Sherwin Creek for the best chance for peak fall color.

CONVICT LAKE  

Around resort/campgrounds – Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW!  Still slightly green the closer you get to US 395 but still plenty of color. 

Convict Lake & Canyon – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! Colors around the lake and up Convict Canyon are brilliant right now! Take the short and easy hike around the lake for the best fall color experience. 

CROWLEY LAKE/McGEE CREEK  

McGee Creek Canyon – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!Great color around the pack station and campground right now!

Around Crowley community – Patchy (10-50%) 

ROCK CREEK CANYON

Around Rock Creek Lake –  Past Peak YOU MISSED IT!

Along the road – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! – Colors along the road and in the campgrounds are at peak while the higher elevation locations are at past peak.