Yes, Virginia There is an Autumn

Peak has arrived in the Eastern Sierra at Mono County’s Virginia Lakes and Sagehen Summit.

We are declaring the first GO NOW! (for trees) of 2019 with Near Peak conditions at these locations. There likely are other locations in the Eastern Sierra that are Near Peak, as well, and we will report them as confirmation (photography) is received.

Mono County color spotter Jeff Simpson, like the rest of us, was so exasperated by the late start of autumn in the Eastern Sierra (a week to two late) that he punned, “Be-leaf it or not, we have our first peak colors of the season!”

We can excuse the pun, Jeff, considering that it is married to good news. As in the Eastern Sierra, the arrival of peak color had been delayed a week.

However, that delay has not been experienced everywhere. Patchy fall color has been reported in the northern Sierra and Shasta Cascade, which normally don’t have significant color until early October.

Of the following, however, we are certain … all areas are reporting lush foliage with trees carrying lots of leaves – a result of a previous wet winter. So, once the leaves start turning (and now they are), there’s no going back and we expect a long-lasting and spectacular (weather permitting) autumn show.

As for now, head to those areas reporting near peak color, which will only get better as each day passes. Many trees are full of orange leaves, some mixed with wide swaths of green and lime.

Upper Rock Creek just missed being designated Near Peak, as most of the trees below the lake level are still green. Nevertheless, there are sections of peaking aspens above the lake and in the Little Lakes Valley.

Convict Lake, McGee Creek, Tioga Pass, Sonora Pass, Lobdell Lake Road and Monitor Pass are progressing nicely and are worth visiting with patches of tress in full yellow, though the majority of them are green to lime green.

We expect this to progress quickly. Experience tells us that all areas above 9.000′ should be Near Peak on this coming weekend, with full peak next week at the highest elevations.

• Virginia Lakes (9,819’) – Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW! – Yellow and Orange trees along the road and at lake level while others are still pretty green. Take the Dunderberg Meadows Road for more sections of peaking color and better views of aspens in the distance along Virginia Lakes road.
• Sagehen Summit (8,139’) – Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW! – Orange and Green are the theme, here. No yellow to be seen but nice large groves of orange trees make this the best spot to go this week. Continue on to Johnny Meadows for more sections of great color. This will be the first place to be in full peak in next week’s report. 
• Lobdell Lake Road (8,600′) – Patchy (10-50%) – Closer to 10% than 50% at this point but you can still find sections of yellow trees if you’re willing to walk around.
• Sonora Pass (9,623′) – Patchy (10-50%) – Still just starting at the bottom of the grade near Leavitt Meadows Pack Station. Yellow and light green trees near the top.
• Tioga Pass (9,943′) – Patchy (10-50%) – Still not fully matured but good progress has been made over the last week. Head down Saddlebag Lake Road for the best viewing spots over the next 10 days.
• McGee Creek Canyon (8,600’) – Patchy (10-50%) – Still green closer to US 395 but developing nicely around McGee Creek Pack Station and further up the canyon.
• Convict Lake (7850′) – Patchy (10-50%) – Great progress has developed here over the last week. Yellow trees are visible up the canyon and just above the lake but mostly green at lake level. 
• Rock Creek Road (9,600’) – Patchy (10-50%) – Some yellow trees above lake level and beyond but still getting going along the road and entirely green in the lower section near Tom’s Place. 
• Monitor Pass (8,314′) – Patchy (10-50%) – Greener than Sonora Pass and Tioga Pass since the top is at a much lower elevation. It’s still going to be 10 days or so before prime viewing. 
• Walker Canyon, Walker, Coleville and Topaz (5,200′) – Just Starting (0-10%) – This location is usually the last to peak in Mono County. We tell people to target this area in the last week of October. To our surprise we are seeing a lot of yellow and lime green leaves in the Walker Canyon and throughout Antelope Valley.  We are still anticipating a late October maturity but keep your eye out for an early peak. 
• Conway Summit (8,143) – Just Starting (0-10%) – One small grove of yellow trees while everything else is very green still. 
• Lundy Lake & Canyon (7,858′) – Just Starting (0-10%) – Green around the lake and up the canyon. Some developing yellows are visible above the waterfalls if you want to hike up the trail from the trailhead. 
• June Lake Loop/Hwy 158 (7,654′) – Just Starting (0-10%) – Green leaves are changing to light green leaves! Still a long way away but the process is under way. Look for peak colors here around the 15^th of October. If you’re in town this weekend hike to Parker Lake or Little Walker Lake for sections of yellow trees above lake levels!
• Mammoth Lakes Basin (8,996′) – Just Starting (0-10%) – Just starting but some yellow leaves are starting to make an appearance.