The Week That Was “Fantastic!”

This past week was fantastic throughout Mono County, local color spotter Jeff Simpson reports.

Just about anywhere you drive right now, you look up and see color … fantastic color.

Plus, it’s gonna last. Peak fall color will be seen this and the following week in prime areas of Mono County.

Hot spots for full peak color this weekend include: Monitor Pass, McGee Canyon trail, Parker Lake trail and Lundy Canyon trail, which we designate as Hike of the Week for its gorgeous color and beautiful waterfalls.

Approaching full peak are Convict Lake, the June Lake Loop, Lee Vining Canyon, Lundy Lake, Conway Summit, Summers Meadow and Twin Lakes/Bridgeport. While there’s still a good amount of green in these areas, more than half the trees are showing great color with stands of peaking yellow and orange aspen.

This was a great year to see Sagehen Meadows and Tioga Pass, though those areas are now solidly Past Peak – YOU MISSED IT.

Nearly Past Peak are Sonora Pass, Upper Rock Creek and Upper Virginia Lakes. Though, lower down in these areas, Peak color can still be enjoyed. 

Walker/Coleville/Topaz

• Monitor Pass (8,314′) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! – The large stand of aspen east of the summit is perfect late in the afternoon.
• Lobdell Lake Road (8,600′) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! – Past peak in most areas but a lot of color still hanging around. If you want orange and red colors this is your spot! (AWD is recommended).
• Walker Canyon (5,200′) – Patchy (10-50%) – Should be good in 7 to 10 days.
• Towns of Walker & Coleville – Patchy (10-50%) – Mostly green throughout the valley, though some of the cottonwood are showing gold. This is the last area in Mono County to peak.
• Sonora Pass (9,623′) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! –  Wow. Sonora Pass was the best we’ve seen this past week. Peak color has now descended to Leavitt Meadow.

Bridgeport/Virginia Lakes

• Twin Lakes (7,000′) – Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW! – Predictions were spot on. This area is Near Peak, though with still lots to change in coming weeks. Take the dirt roan around lower Twin to see great angles of the Sawtooth Mountains.
• Virginia Lakes (9,819’) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! – This has to be one of the best years for Virginia Lakes, due to the length of time it has been at peak. A lot of color has fallen at the top, but lower sections of the road remain good.  AWD recommended.
• Conway Summit (8,143′) –Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW! – You cannot go wrong including Conway Summit on a vist to the East Side, right now. It will remain good, conditions permitting for another two weeks. Peak should occur early next week and last a week or longer.
• Summers Meadow (7,200′) –Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW! – We love Summers Meadow. It has one of the great long stretches of brilliant color in the state at peak. Presently, the color has worked down, though has a wonderful mix of red, orange, yellow and lime

Lee Vining

• Tioga Pass (9,943′) – Past Peak – YOU MISSED IT! 
• Lee Vining Canyon (6,781′) – Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW!
• Lundy Lake & Canyon (7,858′) – Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW! – Hike of the Week!

Benton & 120 East

• Sagehen Summit (8,139’) –Past Peak – YOU MISSED IT! 

June Lake Loop

• June Lake Loop/Hwy 158 (7,654′) – Patchy (10-50%) – Still early.
• Parker Lake (8,000′) – – Patchy (10-50%) – Best bet.

Mammoth Lakes

• Mammoth Lakes Basin (8,996′) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! (Look for Mammoth Lake’s report, coming next)

Crowley Lake/McGee Creek/Convict Lake

• McGee Creek Canyon (8,600’) – Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW! – Brilliant! Brilliant! Brilliant! Uh, did I say “BRILLIANT?”
• Around Crowley community (6,781′) – Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW! – There’s really nice Near Peak color in the hills above Tom’s Place. As long as you’re there, get a slice of pie. I always do.
• Convict Lake (7850′) – Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW! – Convict Lake is a week from perfection. There’s still some green at the back side of the lake. It’s best when those trees there light up in brilliant splashes of yellow to be reflected in the lake’s dark waters. Presently, the best fall color is along the west end of the lake. When Convict Lake gets going, it competes for honors as the prettiest fall color scene on the East Side, because of the blue (yes, blue) folded metamorphic rock of Laurel Mountain and that stunning blanket of yellow below.

Rock Creek Canyon

• Rock Creek Road (8,500’+) –Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! – It’s Past Peak at Rock Creek Lake and higher, though still fantastic in the lower sections near East Fork Campground.