Bullseye – Lobdell Lake Road

If you’re seeking to target California’s best fall color this week, focus on Lobdell Road in northern Mono County (US 395) as your bullseye. It is both our Peak of the Week and Driving Tour of the Week.

Lobdell Lake Rd. is a dirt road. As such, a sport-utility vehicle (SUV), an AWD passenger car like a Subaru, or pickup truck is recommended. Only if you attempt to drive up to the summit might a high-clearance 4WD be required. Here’s what Buzzards on the Road experienced in 2018.

The route begins on US 395, a short distance southeast of Sonora Junction. Take Burcham Flat Rd. from US 395 north to Lobdell Lake Rd. From there, it winds, dipping down beside the south fork of Cottonwood Creek and through lush groves of aspen as it climbs into the Sweetwater Mountains of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. At times, the aspen line the road in one of the prettiest fall color boulevards in California.

This weekend and coming week it will be at Peak and fabulous. Considering that there are few alternatives as good and that – therefore – it’s likely to be a busy road, please drive courteously, cautiously and take time to enjoy the scenery.

Good places to fuel up and refresh are Bridgeport from the south and Walker from the north (US 395). A favorite stop is the Walker Burger for one of the best roadside hamburgers in California (not gourmet, but satisfying).

Elsewhere in Mono County, Jeff Simpson reports the colors are looking fantastic at upper elevations of Mono County. Unlike last year, the leaves are bright, vibrant and colorful across all elevations and locations. 

For a Hike of the Week, head out on the Green Creek Trail or Molybdenite Creek Trail for colors you won’t be able to see from a car. This completes the first CaliforniaFallColor.com Triple Crown: Peak of the Week, Driving Tour of the Week and Hike of the Week for Mono County!

Sonora Pass just edged into the Near Peak designation and will be best by the end of the weekend or early next week.

WALKER / COLEVILLE / TOPAZ

• Monitor Pass (8,314′) – Patchy (10-50% – Still around 50% for most areas and especially at the summit. Some good yellows and peaking trees on the east side but still a good week away from peak color. 
• West Walker River, Walker, Coleville and Topaz (5,200′) – Just Starting (0-10%) – Still just getting started with a few yellow and lime-green leaves.

SONORA PASS / LOBDELL LAKE

• Sonora Pass (9,623′) Near Peak (50-75%) Go Now! – Just barely made the list, as some groves are just starting to turn along the road south of the summit and as low as Leavitt Meadows Pack Station. Just approaching peak color and would be best over the weekend or early next week. 
• Lobdell Lake Rd (9,274′) – Near Peak (50-75%) Go Now! – This drive is both Peak of the Week and Driving Tour of the Week. It should be spectacular this weekend. Some areas are still green while others are past peak but this is the week for the most coverage of peak colors. Go now before slamming your palm against your forehead and muttering, “Why didn’t I listen?” 

• 

• 

• 

BRIDGEPORT / VIRGINIA LAKES

• Twin Lakes (7,000′) – Just Starting (0-10%) – Just getting started, mostly green trees with some yellow leaves along the Twin Lakes Road. Nice color is seen up the Robinson Creek Trail at the end of Twin Lakes Rd. 
• Virginia Lakes (9,819’) – Peak to Past Peak (75-100%) GO NOW or you’ll have missed it! – Golden yellows, oranges and reds are being seen along the road below Virginia Lakes Resort. Some areas are past peak at the parking lot of Upper Virginia Lakes. 
• Dunderberg Meadows Road – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! – Take Dunderberg Meadows Road toward Green Creek for full groves of peak color.
• Conway Summit (8,143) – Just Starting (0-10%) One good patch of yellow trees way up on the hill but mostly green/lime green everywhere else.
• Summers Meadow (7,200′) Just Starting (0-10%) – Just starting in the highest of elevations.

LEE VINING 

• Tioga Pass (9,943′) – RESERVATION REQUIRED TO TRAVEL TIOGA RD.
• Lee Vining Canyon (6,781′) – REOPENING OCT. 3 – Patchy (10-50%)
• Lundy Lake & Canyon (7,858′) – REOPENING OCT. 3 – Patchy (10-50%)

BENTON & 120 EAST 

• Sagehen Summit (8,139’) – REOPENING OCT. 3 – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!

JUNE LAKE LOOP

• June Lake Loop/Hwy 158 (7,654′) – REOPENING OCT. 3 – Just Starting (0-10%)

MAMMOTH LAKES

• Mammoth Lakes Basin (8,996′) – REOPENING OCT. 3 – Patchy (10-50%)

CROWLEY LAKE/McGEE CREEK/CONVICT LAKE

• McGee Creek Canyon (8,600’) – REOPENING OCT. 3 – Patchy (10-50%)
• Around Crowley community (6,781′) – REOPENING OCT. 3 – Just Starting (0-10%)
• Convict Lake (7850′) – REOPENING OCT. 3 – Patchy (10-50%)

ROCK CREEK CANYON

• Upper Rock Creek Rd (10,300’) – REOPENING OCT. 3 – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
• Middle Rock Creek Rd (8,500′) – Patchy (10-50%)
• Lower Rock Creek Rd. (7,087′) – Just Starting (0-10%)