Archive for category: Eastern Sierra

You are here: Home / Eastern Sierra
,

Fading Fast at North Lake

North Lake, Bishop Creek Canyon (10/13/18) Bruce Wendler

North Lake Rd., Bishop Creek Canyon (10/13/18) Bruce Wendler

North Lake (Bishop Creek Canyon) took a while to move toward peak, then got hot, hot, hot for a week. Now, it is fading fast.

Bruce Wendler said North Lake “still has some charm.” Further down the N. Fork of Bishop Creek, trees are at peak, as is the pond at Aspendell.

Roberto Ferido found the South Fork of Bishop Creek to carry Peak color below 8,500′.

The June Lake Loop is transitioning from Patchy to Near Peak, with lots of color now surrounding Silver Lake in Mono county. 

  • North Lake (9,225′) – Past Peak – YOU MISSED IT!
  • North Lake Rd. (9,000′) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
  • Aspendell (8,400′) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
  • Silver Lake (7,200′) – Patchy (10-50%)
  • South Lake Rd. (8,500′) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!

S. Lake Rd., Bishop Creek Canyon (10/13/18) Roberto Ferido

S. Lake Rd., Bishop Creek Canyon (10/13/18) Roberto Ferido

S. Lake Rd., Bishop Creek Canyon (10/13/18) Roberto Ferido

S. Lake Rd., Bishop Creek Canyon (10/13/18) Roberto Ferido

 

Aspendell, Bishop Creek Canyon (10/13/18) Bruce Wendler

Rabbitbrush and aspen, McGee Creek, Mono County (10/13/18) Bruce Wendler

McGee Creek, Mono County (10/13/18) Bruce Wendler

Silver Lake, Mono County (10/13/18) Bruce Wendler

/by
,

Though Difficult, Look Down

Onion Valley Rd., Independence (10/11/18) Ursula Esser

Onion Valley Rd., Independence (10/11/18) Ursula Esser

We often advise, “Look down, not just up.”

That’s a difficult thing to do when you’re in the Eastern Sierra, as the mountains draw your attention up to them.

However, if you only look up, you miss the beauty to be seen down upon the high desert floor.

Ursula Esser sends these images of Onion Valley Road in the Owens Valley, with rabbitbrush, shrubs and boulders creating a fall palette of yellow, orange, sage, grey and auburn near Independence. 

Independence (3,930′) – Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW!

Onion Valley Rd., Independence (10/11/18) Ursula Esser

Onion Valley Rd., Independence (10/11/18) Ursula Esser

Onion Valley Rd., Independence (10/11/18) Ursula Esser

/by
, ,

Skate Skiing to Peak

Skate Skiing, Rock Creek Rd. (10/11/18) Josh Wray

Skate Skiing, Rock Creek Rd. (10/11/18) Josh Wray

Skate Skiing, Rock Creek Rd. (10/11/18) Josh Wray

True to Mammoth Lakes’ 360-degree adventure theme, skate skiers have invented another new way to experience autumn, by skate skiing past boulevards of fall color on  Eastern Sierra canyon roads.

Mammoth Lakes is now virtually skating to Peak color, with GO NOW conditions at all canyon locations from Mammoth Lakes south to Rock Creek Rd.

A Fall Color Instameet is planned at Convict Lake on Saturday. For details, CLICK HERE. 

McGee Creek (10/11/18) Josh Wray

Here’s what’s happening:

  • Convict Lake (10/11/18) Josh Wray

    Crowley Lake (10/11/18) Josh Wray

    McGee Creek (10/11/18) Josh Wray

    McGee Creek (10/11/18) Josh Wray

    McGee Creek (10/11/18) Josh Wray

    McGee Creek (10/11/18) Josh Wray

    McGee Creek (10/11/18) Josh Wray

    Mammoth Lakes Basin  (8,900ft+) – Peak to Past Peak – GO NOW, YOU ALMOST MISSED IT! – There’s still plenty of color around Twin Lakes. Though, the trees on the backside of Lake George are just about finished and will most likely be gone by the end of the weekend.

  • Laurel Canyon (8,500′) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! – 4WD high clearance vehicle required.
  • Convict Lake  (8,000’+) – Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW! – It’s finally “Go” time at Convict Lake. It’s only going to get better over the coming week.
  • McGee Creek  (8,000’+) – Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW! – McGee Creek is gorgeous. There’s lots of green, so this area will be at peak for a couple more weeks. Nevertheless, GO NOW!
  • Crowley Lake  (7,000’+) – Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW! – Beautiful Colors are starting to fill the town of Crowley. Worth driving through town when traveling south from McGee to Rock Creek.
  • Rock Creek  (8,000’+) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!- Some groves are at peak. Others are off to a slow start. The lower half of Rock Creek Rd. is stunning while above 9,000′ it is Past Peak. Colder nighttime temps have helped speed the process. 

 

 

 

 

 

McGee Creek (10/11/18) Josh Wray

/by
, ,

The Week That Was “Fantastic!”

Lobdell Lake Rd. (10/5/18) Jeff Simpson/Mono County Tourism

Sonora Pass (10/4/18) Jeff Simpson/Mono County Tourism

Sonora Pass (10/4/18) Jeff Simpson/Mono County Tourism

Lobdell Lake Rd. (10/5/18) Jeff Simpson/Mono County Tourism

Molybdenite Canyon (10/6/18) Jeff Simpson/Mono County Tourism

Monitor Pass (10/9/18) Jeff Simpson/Mono County Tourism

This past week was fantastic throughout Mono County, local color spotter Jeff Simpson reports.

Just about anywhere you drive right now, you look up and see color … fantastic color.

Plus, it’s gonna last. Peak fall color will be seen this and the following week in prime areas of Mono County.

Hot spots for full peak color this weekend include: Monitor Pass, McGee Canyon trail, Parker Lake trail and Lundy Canyon trail, which we designate as Hike of the Week for its gorgeous color and beautiful waterfalls.

Approaching full peak are Convict Lake, the June Lake Loop, Lee Vining Canyon, Lundy Lake, Conway Summit, Summers Meadow and Twin Lakes/Bridgeport. While there’s still a good amount of green in these areas, more than half the trees are showing great color with stands of peaking yellow and orange aspen.

This was a great year to see Sagehen Meadows and Tioga Pass, though those areas are now solidly Past Peak – YOU MISSED IT.

Nearly Past Peak are Sonora Pass, Upper Rock Creek and Upper Virginia Lakes. Though, lower down in these areas, Peak color can still be enjoyed. 

Walker/Coleville/Topaz

  • Monitor Pass (8,314′) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! – The large stand of aspen east of the summit is perfect late in the afternoon.
  • Lobdell Lake Road (8,600′) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! – Past peak in most areas but a lot of color still hanging around. If you want orange and red colors this is your spot! (AWD is recommended).
  • Walker Canyon (5,200′) – Patchy (10-50%) – Should be good in 7 to 10 days.
  • Towns of Walker & Coleville – Patchy (10-50%) – Mostly green throughout the valley, though some of the cottonwood are showing gold. This is the last area in Mono County to peak.
  • Sonora Pass (9,623′) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! –  Wow. Sonora Pass was the best we’ve seen this past week. Peak color has now descended to Leavitt Meadow.

Bridgeport/Virginia Lakes

  • Twin Lakes (7,000′) – Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW! – Predictions were spot on. This area is Near Peak, though with still lots to change in coming weeks. Take the dirt roan around lower Twin to see great angles of the Sawtooth Mountains.
  • Virginia Lakes (9,819’) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! – This has to be one of the best years for Virginia Lakes, due to the length of time it has been at peak. A lot of color has fallen at the top, but lower sections of the road remain good.  AWD recommended.
  • Conway Summit (8,143′) –Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW! – You cannot go wrong including Conway Summit on a vist to the East Side, right now. It will remain good, conditions permitting for another two weeks. Peak should occur early next week and last a week or longer.
  • Summers Meadow (7,200′) –Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW! – We love Summers Meadow. It has one of the great long stretches of brilliant color in the state at peak. Presently, the color has worked down, though has a wonderful mix of red, orange, yellow and lime

Lundy Canyon Trail, Mono County (10/7/18) Leor Pantilat

Lee Vining

  • Tioga Pass (9,943′) – Past Peak – YOU MISSED IT! 
  • Lee Vining Canyon (6,781′) – Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW!
  • Lundy Lake & Canyon (7,858′) – Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW! – Hike of the Week!

Benton & 120 East

  • Sagehen Summit (8,139’) –Past Peak – YOU MISSED IT! 

June Lake Loop

  • June Lake Loop/Hwy 158 (7,654′) – Patchy (10-50%) – Still early.
  • Parker Lake (8,000′) – – Patchy (10-50%) – Best bet.

Lobdell Lake Rd. (10/5/18) Jeff Simpson/Mono County Tourism

Mammoth Lakes

  • Mammoth Lakes Basin (8,996′) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! (Look for Mammoth Lake’s report, coming next)

Crowley Lake/McGee Creek/Convict Lake

  • McGee Creek Canyon (8,600’) – Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW! – Brilliant! Brilliant! Brilliant! Uh, did I say “BRILLIANT?”
  • Around Crowley community (6,781′) – Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW! – There’s really nice Near Peak color in the hills above Tom’s Place. As long as you’re there, get a slice of pie. I always do.
  • Convict Lake (7850′) – Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW! – Convict Lake is a week from perfection. There’s still some green at the back side of the lake. It’s best when those trees there light up in brilliant splashes of yellow to be reflected in the lake’s dark waters. Presently, the best fall color is along the west end of the lake. When Convict Lake gets going, it competes for honors as the prettiest fall color scene on the East Side, because of the blue (yes, blue) folded metamorphic rock of Laurel Mountain and that stunning blanket of yellow below.

Rock Creek Canyon

  • Rock Creek Road (8,500’+) –Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! – It’s Past Peak at Rock Creek Lake and higher, though still fantastic in the lower sections near East Fork Campground.

Leavitt Meadow (10/4/18) Jeff Simpson/Mono County Tourism

Lobdell Lake Rd. (10/5/18) Jeff Simpson/Mono County Tourism

Lobdell Lake Rd. (10/5/18) Jeff Simpson/Mono County Tourism

Monitor Pass (10/9/18) Jeff Simpson/Mono County Tourism

 

/by
, ,

Eastern Sierra Portfolio

North Lake Fisheye (10/5/18) Elliot McGucken

Elliot McGucken has captured some of the most compelling images we’ve seen of Bishop Creek Canyon.

He was there on Friday and returned by way of Sonora Pass on Saturday, sending this selection of his favorites from that trip.

The intense color seen in these shots is no longer seen at the same locations. Though, there are still many great images to be captured in the canyon for another week to two weeks, at descending elevations. 

  • Bishop Creek Canyon – Past Peak (9,000’+) YOU MISSED IT.
  • Bishop Creek Canyon – Peak (8,500 – 9,000′) GO NOW!
  • Bishop Creek Canyon – Near Peak (below 8,500′) GO NOW!
  • Sonora Pass – Past Peak (above 9,000′) YOU MISSED IT!
  • Sonora Pass – Peak (below 9,000′) GO NOW!

North Lake Rd, Bishop Creek Canyon (10/5/18) Elliot McGucken

Twin aspen, Lundy Canyon, Mono County (10/6/18) Elliot McGucken

North Lake, Bishop Creek Canyon (10/5/18) Elliot McGucken

Sonora Pass (10/6/18) Elliot McGucken

Sonora Pass (10/6/18) Elliot McGucken

 

/by
,

Mono County on the Run

Trail running, Mono County (10/7/18) Leor Pantilat

Trail running, Mono County (10/7/18) Leor Pantilat

Running does not happen on a boring treadmill in Mono County.

It’s a 360-degree adventure that happens on trails surrounded by intensely beautiful fall color.

Leor Pantilat and friend show how they experienced fall color on the run in these images taken over the preceding weeked at Sonora Pass, Molybdenite Canyon, Barney Lake, Parker Lake and Lundy Canyon.

They got there so fast, they had time to kick back, take a breath and relax.

Peaking aspen were everywhere they ran without treadmill tedium. (click to enlarge images) 

  • Sonora Pass – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
  • Molybdenite Canyon – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
  • Barney Lake – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
  • Parker Lake- Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
  • Lundy Canyon – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!

Trail running, Mono County (10/7/18) Leor Pantilat

Trail running, Mono County (10/7/18) Leor Pantilat

Trail running, Mono County (10/7/18) Leor Pantilat

Trail running, Mono County (10/7/18) Leor Pantilat

Trail running, Mono County (10/7/18) Leor Pantilat

Trail running, Mono County (10/7/18) Leor Pantilat

Trail running, Mono County (10/7/18) Leor Pantilat

Trail running, Mono County (10/7/18) Leor Pantilat

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/by
,

Gallimauphry: Inyo County

North Lake, Bishop Creek Canyon (10/7/18) Joe Pollini

North Lake Rd, Bishop Creek Canyon (10/7/18) Joe Pollini

Upper North Lake, Bishop Creek Canyon (10/7/18) Joe Pollini

“Gallimauphry” is a fun word. It means a confused jumble or medley of things.

While there’s little confusing about these wonderful photographs and reports, I love using the word when pulling together collections of shots from a given destination. As, when else would you use a word like gallimauphry?

In this case, the focus is on Inyo County, that long stretch of breathtaking scenery along US 395 from Lone Pine north to Topaz.

We begin with photos taken by Joe Pollini at North Lake in Bishop Creek Canyon, west of Bishop, this past Sunday.

Joe works at the Bishop Chamber & Visitor Center helping folks find fall color and arrange accommodations in the greater Bishop area. So, it was nice receiving Joe’s shots from his “busman’s holiday.”

Joe’s photos tell us what’s happening at North Lake. Areas near treeline are now Past Peak, though at lake level and along North Lake Rd, the aspen are bright yellow. However, North Lake only has another week at Peak.

Toru Takahashi reminds us why so many people enjoy Bishop and Bishops Creek Canyon in autumn, for the canyon’s great fishing.

Rainbow Trout, Bishop Creek Canyon (10/6/18) Toru Takahashi

Jennifer Cornell took a different angle at Lake Sabrina than we’ve seen previously … near the dock. She reported that on Saturday it was, “sunny and warm’ish, even up at the Sabrina campground.” Then, “Lo and behold, it began snowing in the early evening!” and continued off and on through the night. “We got up to freezing temps to shoot sunrise on Sunday morning at Lake Sabrina, even catching a dusting along North Lake Rd. 

Lake Sabrina (10/7/18) Jennifer Cornell

 

North Lake Rd. (10/7/18) Jennifer Cornell

 

 

/by
,

Gallimauphry: Mono County

Sotcher Lake, Mono County (10/6/18) Darrell Sano

Dunderberg Meadow Rd., Mono County (10/6/18) Darrell Sano

Dunderberg Meadow Rd., Mono County (10/6/18) Darrell Sano

Dunderberg Meadow Rd., Mono County (10/6/18) Darrell Sano

Bodie State Historic Park, Mono County (10/6/18) Darrell Sano

Dunderberg Meadows Rd., Mono County (10/5/18) Jeff Hemming

Dunderberg Meadows Rd., Mono County (10/5/18) Jeff Hemming

Silver Lake, Mono County (10/5/18) Jeff Hemming

We received so many photographs and reports from Mono County this past week, that I’ve just now pulled them together.

So, apologies for the delay in posting these.

Conditions have advanced since these were taken. So, look at the date, to make your own assessment of what it might look like, now.

In everyone’s favor, so far this autumn, is that conditions have never been better in California for the development and viewing of fall color with cold nights and warm days, and a few interesting skies, as well.

A dusting of snow fell above 10,000′ last week, but that only improved the color.

Frankly, I’m dazzled by what California’s color spotters have captured. Let’s look at a collection of shots from this past weekend:

East Bay color spotter Darrell Sano scored a First Report for his photograph of Sotcher Lake. Sotcher wha!? Never heard of it previously, though the Patchy to Near Peak color tells me, it’s gotta be flaming hot, right now.

Dunderberg Rd was the hot spot last week with gorgeous deep orange color among the aspen, and always worth visiting is Bodie State Historic Park. Though there is no fall color to be seen there, it is a must-see destination for anyone who wants to experience the “real” wild west.

Darrell was avoiding rain and hail on his drive, noting that many trees are now bare upslope as winds were clearly doing damage. Though advises to stay out during changing weather, as dramatic, structured clouds and moody skies do their best to make the scene a photographer’s fantasy.

Jeff Hemming also found glory and destruction at Dunderberg Meadow, then continued down the east side. I’ll split his photos into a later report about conditions in Inyo County. He suggests, however that the June Lake Loop is looking luscious.

Peter Chun and MingLo separately found Virginia Lakes Rd. mostly past peak on Saturday, with spots of color along the road. Ming sends an angle, rarely seen of Mono Lake in the distance beyond a crest of orange-red peaking aspen.

At Rock Creek Lake, Peter found the color to be about the same as at Virginia Lakes … stripped in many places though with pockets of bright color. 

Virginia Lakes Rd, Mono County (10/6/18) Peter Chun

Virginia Lakes Rd, Mono County (10/6/18) Peter Chun

Upper Rock Creek Rd., Mono County (10/7/18) Peter Chun

Upper Rock Creek Rd., Mono County (10/7/18) Peter Chun

 

 

 

 

 

 

Virginia Lakes, Mono County (10/7/18) Ming Lo

/by
,

Cadmium Yellow Canyon

Rabbitbrush, Pine Creek Canyon (10/7/18) Gigi de Jong

Pine Creek Canyon (10/7/18) Gigi de Jong

“Pine Creek Canyon” would be more accurately described, were it renamed “Cadmium Yellow Canyon,” during autumn.

The combination of crystal-clear air, blue skies, bright sunlight and blooming rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus nauseosus), golden grasses and emerging yellow-leaved black cottonwood (Populus balsamifera) make it appear as if cadmium sulfide was sprinkled across the canyon.

The cottonwood are well short of nearing peak, though once they do, Pine Creek Canyon has the greatest show of peaking cottonwood in California.

This is a must-see destination at peak, for those who stop visiting Bishop Canyon after it has peaked. 

Pine Creek Canyon (7,400′) – Patchy (10-50%)

Millpond, Pine Creek Canyon (10/7/18) Gigi de Jong

Pine Creek Trail, Pine Creek Canyon (10/7/18) Gigi de Jong

/by
, ,

Catching Attention

North Lake, Bishop Creek Canyon (10/2/18) Phillip Reedy

Bishop Creek (10/2/18) Phillip Reedy

There’s one sure way to catch attention in Bishop Creek Canyon. Cast a fly rod at the east end of North Lake. That’s where photographers stand to get the classic shot of North Lake at peak.

Earlier this week, Phillip Reedy stood “shoulder to shoulder” with about 30 other photographers there, waiting for the right shot.

Then, because he photographs a lot of cover shots for fly fishing magazines and is always looking for good backgrounds, he put on waders, picked up a fly rod and began fishing. Soon, the other photographers there wanted to take pictures of him posing in his fly gear as he fished.

Phil joked to them that he could pay for his trip if they would each pay him a $5 modeling fee. All joking aside, Phil got his compensation another way. He found, “that North Lake is packed with eager brook trout so I caught a number of those during the day while waiting for the light to get better.”

Also, one of the fishing shots he took might eventually be purchased for use on the cover of an outdoor magazine.

North Lake (10/2/18) Phillip Reedy

Phil’s humorous story leads me to suggest that fall color photography can be revenue producing, in addition to being an entertaining avocation.

If you have professional equipment and solid skills at photography, consider combining a fall photo outing with taking photographs for possible magazine covers (RV, fishing, hunting, cycling, off-roading, backpacking, hiking, etc.). Here are some tips to successful magazine cover photography:

  • Before shooting, consider which magazines you intend to “pitch” your photos;
  • Know how the magazine (for whom you’re shooting) lays out its cover. Research past covers online and shoot to fit their style;
  • Consider how much space should be reserved for the magazine’s masthead (name/logo);
  • Know whether the magazine allows images to bleed behind its masthead or whether that space should be kept uncluttered;
  • Leave space in the photo to announce articles inside the magazine (often to the left and/or right of the image);
  • Shoot images that fit a specific magazine’s focus or that illustrate a potential topic;
  • All gear seen in the image should appear to be new or not easily recognized (magazines want to appear trendsetting);
  • Outdoor models should be attractive and real (they need not be professional models, but they should appeal and be believable to readers);
  • Magazine covers are vertical, so shoot with that in mind. Shoot both vertical images for covers and horizontal images for inside the magazine. Compose horizontal shots for possible additional use as cover photos;
  • Photograph with seasons in mind. Whatever appears in the photo should be natural to that season;
  • Shoot RAW or high resolution fine images. Magazines only use images of the highest quality for their cover;
  • Models should be outfitted in contemporary clothing, shoes or gear (you’ll never sell the photo if the backpack looks like it was a hand-me-down); and
  • Be prepared for rejection. Magazine editors choose images to illustrate a story that’s already been written (the cover story), to relate to the month of issue or season and to reflect events, trends and topics of interest to readers. Even the best photographs get turned down, when they lack relevance to the magazine and its readers. 

North Lake (9,225′) – Peak to Past Peak – GO NOW as YOU ALMOST MISSED IT!

/by