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Fire and Ice

Rock Creek, Mono County (10/3/18) Josh Wray/Mammoth Lakes Tourism

Rock Creek, Mono County (10/3/18) Josh Wray/Mammoth Lakes Tourism

Rock Creek, Mono County (10/3/18) Josh Wray/Mammoth Lakes Tourism

Rock Creek, Mono County (10/3/18) Josh Wray/Mammoth Lakes Tourism

Rock Creek, Mono County (10/3/18) Josh Wray/Mammoth Lakes Tourism

It snowed today in the Eastern Sierra, providing the spectacular image of fiery-orange aspen against snow-coated sawtooth peaks.

Mammoth Lakes color spotter Josh Wray, lucky guy, was there and could only describe it with one word, “Gorgeous!”

Well, truth be known, he needed three words, also writing, “Wow!” and “Stunning.” Not even Ernest Hemingway could have said it better. 

  • Rock Creek  (8,500’+) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! – Josh wrote, “Wow. Just wow!” The colors are still pretty green below 8,500′ but above that, it’s stunning and made even more dramatic when contrasted against the snow-covered Eastern Sierra.
  • Mammoth Lakes Basin (8,000’+) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! – -–  Colors in the Mammoth Lakes Basin are still bright and vibrant. Definitely worth stopping by Lake George, then making your way back through Twin Lakes.
  • McGee Creek Canyon (8,600’) – Patchy (10-50) –Not a whole lot happening here at the moment. Colors should change in the next couple of days as nighttime temps drop to the 20’s at night.
  • Convict Lake (7850′)- Patchy (10-50) – Similar to McGee Creek, this location is off to a slow start. Should pick up in the next few days. Colors are quite beautiful up high in the canyon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

McGee Creek, Mono County (10/3/18) Josh Wray/Mammoth Lakes Tourism

Convict Lake, Mono County (10/3/18) Josh Wray/Mammoth Lakes Tourism

Rock Creek, Mono County (10/3/18) Josh Wray/Mammoth Lakes Tourism

Rock Creek, Mono County (10/3/18) Josh Wray/Mammoth Lakes Tourism

Rock Creek, Mono County (10/3/18) Josh Wray/Mammoth Lakes Tourism

Rock Creek, Mono County (10/3/18) Josh Wray/Mammoth Lakes Tourism

 

4 replies
  1. HY says:

    Will we be too late for fall colors if we head to Mono County and do part of Highway 395 on the weekend of the 20th? Which viewpoints would you suggest for our travel period? Many thanks, this is our first time visit California in fall and we really hope to experience the foliage.

    • John Poimiroo says:

      No, you won’t be too late. June Lake is likely to still be good at that time, though that’s getting late. California’s Eastern Sierra peaks from late Sept. to mid October. Your trip will be at the tail end of peak. Always use the Search By Month/Year tool on the right of the home page to see what’s peaking when you plan to travel, then go to those locations that were peaking when you plan to travel.

  2. karrie says:

    Hi, we are planning a trip Nov 10. Is that too late for the fall leaf colors. Would you advise to change our date of travel?

    • John Poimiroo says:

      The Eastern Sierra will be finished by the end of October, so a Nov. 10 visit there is well after it has peaked.

      If you’re looking for color for that specific timeframe, I recommend using the search tool on this site and search by location, look for the peak and go then OR search by month/year and go to wherever it is peaking when you are free to travel.

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