Snowliage

“Snowliage.” It’s a term coined by Jeff Simpson meaning, “the convergence of snow and fall foliage.”

Only in the Eastern Sierra is snowliage happening, right now. It is at its best when early snow dusts a forest full of peak fall color, creating scenery that is at one both colorful and dramatic.

However, snowliage is rarely a lasting condition. Storms come and go.

Predictions of brilliant color posted on this site, over the previous few days, were stated without knowledge of what would transpire since they were made.

Vibrant fall color develops when nights are cold and clear and days are sunny.

A forest’s vibrance is relative to how sunny a day may be, but it’s also affected by weather that can change leaf luster. Such has been happening over the past couple of days, in some locations.

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Mono County observers are attributing the unexpected combination of a sustained cold snap (day and night lows), snowfall and local wind for lessening the luster of leaves at a few locations that were on their way toward epic displays (e.g., Lundy Canyon).

Some groves, in locations that were well established or whose fall color had stalled, somehow avoided those environmental effects (Summers Meadow, McGee Canyon) and appear to be progressing normally.

(Click photo to enlarge)

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In the past week, overcast and snowfall occurred on some (not all) days and in not all Mono County locations. As a result, Lundy Canyon – which was on its way to a beautiful display – is now lackluster. Further, Summer’s Meadow and the June Lake Loop have survived. They should be beautiful this weekend.

What this means is that this report (compiled by knowledgeable Eastern Sierra color spotters with our input) is your best guide to currently the finest fall color viewing experiences, not necessarily to places that a few days ago looked like they would be the best.

WALKER / COLEVILLE / TOPAZ

• Monitor Pass (8,314′) – 100% – Peak to Past Peak – GO NOW, You Almost Missed It. – This should be good for only a few more days.
• West Walker River, Walker, Coleville and Topaz (5,200′) – Patchy (10 – 50%) – Just getting going. The Antelope Valley should be best during the last week of October. 
• Sonora Pass (9,623′) – Past Peak, You Missed It.
• Lobdell Lake Road (9,274′) – Past Peak, You Missed It.

BRIDGEPORT / VIRGINIA LAKES

• Twin Lakes (7,000′) – Near Peak (50 – 75%), Go Now! – Twin Lakes is closer to 50% and should get better as the week progresses, and beyond.
• Conway Summit (8,143) – Peak (75 – 100%) GO NOW! – The brilliance in the leaves have dulled slightly, but it’s worth stopping when driving along US-395. Go Now, as it won’t last another week.
• Summers Meadow (7,200′) – Peak (75 – 100%), GO NOW! – This road has been good for two weeks and remarkably, it’s still at full peak and brilliant. Colors cascade down hillsides along three to four miles of dirt road. AWD/4WD vehicle is recommended.

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LEE VINING 

• Tioga Pass (9,943′) – Past Peak, You Missed It.
• Lee Vining Canyon (6,781′) – Near Peak (50 – 75%), Go Now. – Much of the canyon is still green, although several groves of peaking aspen are found along the road. This area will be perfect in the middle of the coming week.
• Lundy Lake & Canyon (7,858′) – Near Peak (50 – 75%), Go Now. – This is a tough one to recommend. Reports of beautiful color have been submitted this past week, though some groves have suddenly turned past peak, others are still green, and still others have lost their luster. The best color is now found around the campground and closer to US 395. A report was received today of a color spotter who, upon arriving at Lundy, noticed that cars were leaving soon after arriving, because their passengers were disappointed by the fall color. A few days ago Lundy was glorious and primed for an epic weekend.

BENTON & 120 EAST 

• Sagehen Summit (8,139’) – Past Peak, You Missed It.

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JUNE LAKE LOOP

• DRIVE OF THE WEEK – June Lake Loop/Hwy 158 (7,654′) – Near Peak (50 – 75%), Go Now. – The Loop is still green to lime-green in many locations, but nice color is found down canyon and around Silver Lake. A few good groves are peaking around Grant Lake. This should be best in 10-14, conditions permitting.

MAMMOTH LAKES

• Mammoth Lakes Basin (8,996′) – Near Peak (50 – 75%), Go Now. – Having trouble getting going here this year, but still plenty of color to see.

CROWLEY LAKE/McGEE CREEK/CONVICT LAKE

• HIKE OF THE WEEK – McGee Creek Canyon (8,600’) – Peak (75 – 100%), GO NOW! – McGee has increased in its brilliance, down canyon, over the last few days.
• Around Crowley community (6,781′) – Near Peak (50 – 75%), Go Now. – Great color can be found around the community and along old US 395.
• Convict Lake (7850′) – Near Peak (50 – 75%), Go Now. – It’s closer to 50% but should be great this weekend.

ROCK CREEK CANYON

• Rock Creek Road (9,600’) – Peak to Past Peak, GO NOW, You Almost Missed It. – Upper rock Creek Road is past peak at the lake and beyond, has good color in the upper-middle half of the road and Just Starting in the Lower Rock Creek Road section.