Winter Here & Autumn Gone

The Eastern Sierra bid farewell to a beautiful autumn on Sunday, when winter arrived.

• 

• 

Sunday’s storm filled streams and its snow pushed most Eastern Sierra locations past peak, leaving only lower elevations, principally: the West Walker River, US 395 through Topaz and Coleville, the Antelope Valley and in the Owens Valley, along the Owens River and near Bishop peaking.

A few groves of aspen remain at peak along the June Lake Loop at Upper Twin Lakes, Bridgeport and at Convict Lake, but they will fade quickly.

There were moments of absolute beauty this autumn and timing was everything. For the Eastern Sierra, it was here; now it’s gone. So, we report, “See you next autumn, dude.”

MONO COUNTY

WALKER / COLEVILLE / TOPAZ

• West Walker River, Coleville and Topaz (5,200’) – Peak (75 – 100%) GO NOW! – This and Bishop are the last remaining hot spots in the Eastern Sierra. There’s great color along the Walker River and in the Antelope Valley. Towering Black cottonwood along US 395 and at Topaz Lake are perfect.

BRIDGEPORT / VIRGINIA LAKES

• Twin Lakes (7,000’) – Peak to Past Peak, GO NOW, You Almost Missed It.

JUNE LAKE LOOP

• June Lake Loop (7,654’) – Peak to Past Peak, GO NOW, You Almost Missed It.

CROWLEY LAKE / MCGEE CREEK / CONVICT LAKE /

• Convict Lake (7,850’) – Peak to Past Peak, GO NOW, You Almost Missed It.

ROCK CREEK CANYON

• Lower Rock Creek Canyon Rd (7,087’) – Peak (75 – 100%), GO NOW! – The lower section of the road and trail is at full peak and is a great hiking/mountain biking route.

INYO COUNTY

Bishop

• Bishop (4,150’) – Peak (75 – 100%) GO NOW! – Groves of tall black cottonwood and oak at Buckley Ponds and along the Owens River are at peak.