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June, June, June

June Lake (10/18/20) Adarsh Dattani

Poor June Lake. It’s such a spectacular fall color location … one of the most dramatic in California. Last year it never got off. This year, though the color has been good, smoke has suffocated the views and generated photographs smothered with pathos.

Aspen glow, Rush Creek, June Lake Loop (10/18/20) Adarsh Dattani

Now, it appears June Lake has peaked before the air has cleared.

  • Lee Vining Canyon (10/23/20) Bruce Wendler
  • June Lake Loop (10/23/20) Bruce Wendler
  • Lee Vining Creek (10/23/20) Bruce Wendler
  • Rush Creek (10/18/20) Adarsh Dattani
  • Rush Creek (10/23/10) Bruce Wendler

The comparison between when Adarsh Dattani was there a week ago and Bruce Wendler’s iPhone XR snaps taken yesterday show the frustrating persistence of the Creek Fire’s haze and a gradual fall of leaves.

Bruce wrote that along the June Lake Loop, “leaves were dropping fast, making the creeks spinning with leaves.”

  • Lundy Canyon (10/19/20) Bruce Wendler
  • Lundy Canyon (10/19/20) Bruce Wendler
  • Lundy Canyon (10/19/20) Bruce Wendler

In contrast, the air is clear up Lundy Canyon and though the trees are dropping color, a lot remains to enjoy on the hike along Mill Creek.

  • Convict Lake (10/18/20) Adarsh Dattani
  • Convict Lake (10/18/20) Adarsh Dattani

Heading down US 395, Convict Lake is at peak, but also streaked with smoke.

  • Bishop (10/23/20) Bruce Wendler
  • Bishop (10/23/20) Bruce Wendler

And, as a sign of changing fortunes, cottonwood surrounding Bishop are now from high Patchy to Near Peak, in some places their color complements a soiled sky.

  • Lundy Canyon (7,858′) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
  • June Lake Loop (7,654′) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
  • Convict Lake (7,850′) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
  • Bishop (4,150′) – Patchy to Near Peak (10-75%) Go Now.
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