Mono County Blushes Red

There is brilliant color throughout Mono County this week with full peak at Lobdell Lake Rd., Sonora Pass, Rock Creek Rd., McGee Canyon, Upper Summers Meadow, Lobdell Lake Rd. and Sonora Pass.

Mono County color spotter Jeff Simpson blushed with excitement when describing Upper Summers Meadow Rd. (Bridgeport) as the best he’s ever seen at that location, because of an impressive grove of red aspen that is splashed across the hillside amidst layers of yellow, lime and orange.

Approaching peak but with areas of patchy color are: Monitor Pass, the West Walker River, Bridgeport, Twin Lakes, Bridgeport, the upper sections of Lundy Canyon, Tioga Pass, the June Lake Loop and Convict Lake. Although these locations boast hot spots of yellow and orange leaves, they are still a week from peak.

Conway Summit, Lee Vining Canyon, and Crowley Lake are still pretty green at this point and will be Near Peak next week.

Don’t bother looking for color at Virginia Lakes, Sagehen Summit or the Mammoth Lakes Basin, as they’re Past Peak.

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Here’s Jeff’s report from south to north.

• Rock Creek Lake (9,600’) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! – Rock Creek Lake is approaching Past Peak. Don’t delay. Peak color has dropped to 8,500’ with Near Peak and Patchy the further down the road that you are.
• Crowley Community (6,781’) – Patchy (10-50%) – Color up the hill behind the community, but green in town.
• McGee Creek Canyon (8,600’) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! – Brilliant colors. Satisfaction guaranteed.
• Convict Lake (7850′) – Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW! – Sections of nice color around the lake with some green on the back side still waiting to turn. Some sections are past peak and still a ways to go in others.
• Mammoth Lakes Basin (8,996′) – Past Peak, YOU MISSED IT!
• June Lake Loop/Hwy 158 (7,654′) – Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW! – This is one of the prized areas to photograph in the Eastern Sierra, because of its lakes, surrounding peaks and lush groves of aspen. June Lake Loop barely topped 50% to qualify it for a Near Peak rating, as half the forest is still green. Nonetheless, there are brightly yellow stands along the loop with some sections that qualify as Past Peak. Given what’s now appearing and what is left to change, the June Lake Loop should be good for two more weeks.
• Sagehen Summit (8,139’) – Past Peak, YOU MISSED IT!
• Tioga Pass (9,943′) – Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW! – Sections of nice color with a mix of green and past peak depending on location. This area might not fully develop and could be past peak next week, due to its high elevation.
• Lee Vining Canyon (6,781′) – Patchy (10-50%)
• Lundy Lake & Canyon (7,858′) – Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW!Green around the lake and campground but peaking at the beaver ponds and up Lundy Canyon at the waterfalls.
• Conway Summit (8,143’) – Patchy (10-50%) – Nice patches of yellow but still mostly green.
• Twin Lakes (7,000’) – Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW! – Nice bright orange colors in sections while others will still take another week.
• Dunderberg Meadows (7,200’) – Patchy (10-50%)
• Summers Meadow (7,146’) – Patchy (10-50%)
• Upper Summers Meadow (10,300’) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! – As good as it gets and rated best ever seen, Red aspen. Must see.
• Lobdell Lake Road (8,600′) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! – This area is looking spectacular with red groves. It also has lots of green which means it will last another week, perhaps two!
• Sonora Pass (9,623′) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! – Great color near the Leavitt Pack Station and at the top of the pass.
• Walker Canyon, Walker, Coleville and Topaz (5,200′) – Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW! – This is one of the earliest peaks for the Antelope Valley in memory. There’s still lots of green throughout the valley, though a beautiful mix.
• Molybdenite Creek Trail (7,865’) – Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW! – Drive the Little Walker River Rd. to hike Molybdenite Canyon and see peak colors (Hike of the Week). Rodriquez Flat and Mill Canyon are also at Peak.
• Sweetwater Mountains (5,000 to 11,654’) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! – If you’re an angler, combine fishing with peak fall color along the East Walker River.
• Monitor Pass (8,314′) – Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW! – Monitor Pass is still pretty green, but orange and yellow enough to be classified as Near Peak. The pass can, however, change quickly so getting there soon is advised.