June Is Busting Out
It’s that time in the Eastern Sierra when peak fall color shifts from up the canyons to the June Lake Loop. As David Sharp found, yesterday, June is busting out all over.
- June Lake Loop (7,654′) – Peak (75 – 100%), GO NOW!
The Lakes Basin
Mammoth Lakes color spotter Angie Plaisted writes, “The Lakes Basin never disappoints.” Even with little color left, wind-swept grasses and sunburned snow invite the heart to yearn to be there.
- Mammoth Lakes Basin (8,996′) – Past Peak, You Missed It.
Owens River Nears Peak
The Owens River, famous for fly fishing, is near peak and should remain good for two more weeks, Bishop-area color spotter Gary Young reports. He notes that, “The many artesians located on the river are pristine this time of year.”
Owens Valley (10/17/21) Gary Young 
Owens Valley (10/17/21) Gary Young 
Owens Valley (10/17/21) Gary Young 
Artesian Spring, Owens Valley (10/17/21) Gary Young
- Owens River (4,000′) – Near Peak (50 – 75%) Go Now.
How Sweet It Is
The Sweetwater Mountains in northeast Mono County are special. KFBK-AM’s outdoor host Bob Simms says, “Hidden colors are everywhere, if you have the resources to find them.”
On a recent trip across the Sierra, he explored, fished and otherwise sent back colorful images of the outdoors from that grand corner of California.
Lenticular Cloud, west of Monitor Pass 
Mono Craters from the East 
Snow blowing off the ridges, a contrast to the warm colors of autumn 
June Lake Loop, Between Silver and Grant Lakes 
June Lake, Carson Peak
- Sweetwater Mountains (11,673′) – Past Peak, You Missed It.
- Monitor Pass (8,314′) – Past Peak, You Missed It.
- June Lake Loop (7,654′) – Peak (75 – 100%), GO NOW!
Crowley Lake Homecoming
Crowley Lake is home to Mono County’s working class. Well used and worn vehicles are parked on its streets … streets that are home to folk who work for land agencies, the county, in local tourism services or who retired there.
There’s not much ornamental about Crowley. It has a lived-in, down-to-business vibe that working towns often have. Its streets are built for getting there and getting it done. They’re wide, quiet and strong, just like Crowley Lake.
Golden black cottonwood and yellow quaking aspen forest Crowley Lake with Near Peak to Peak color. Conditions permitting, the show will continue for as much as two more weeks.
- McGee Creek Canyon (8,600’) – Peak (75 – 100%), GO NOW! – Brilliantly colorful.
- Around Crowley community (6,949′) – Near Peak to Peak (50 – 100%), GO NOW!
- Convict Lake (7,850′) – Near Peak to Peak (50 – 100%), GO NOW!
June Has Arrived
June Lake Loop (10/17/21) Angie Plaisted 
June Lake Loop (10/17/21) Angie Plaisted
It’s mid October, yet June has arrived.
Mammoth Lake’s Angie Plaisted drove the June Lake Loop yesterday, and sends evidence of Near Peak to Peak color. Forecasters are predicting partly cloudy skies through Saturday.
That means, color should continue to develop making this the week to see the June Lake Loop at Peak!
- June Lake Loop (7,654′) – Near Peak to Peak (10 – 75%), Go Now.
Influencer Season
When an Instagram influencer (@anu_eternalsunshine) called Mammoth Lakes color spotter Sarah Wallock and asked to see the best local fall color, Sarah was all in.
She didn’t have to go far to find it. Sarah drove north from Mammoth Lakes to the June Lake Loop where they toured CA-158 and toasted romance and autumn with California wine and appetizers.
- June Lakes Loop (7,654′) – Patchy to Near Peak (10 – 75%), Go Now.
McGee Creek As Advertised
McGee Creek Canyon delivered as advertised here. Declared California Fall Color Hike of the Week, it was at peak this weekend, though Angie Plaisted worries that with snow falling Sunday night and Monday, as well as several days this week, will it last?
Certainly, it will be gorgeous when the clouds break, immediately after it snows. So, GO NOW!
- McGee Creek Canyon (8,600′) – Peak (75 – 100%), GO NOW!
Owens River Gold
The best gold to find in California, these autumn days, is to head toward the trees.
Gary Young and his lady found it on a Saturday walk, east of Bishop along Warm Springs Rd near the Owens River where oak and cottonwood are laden with gold.
Bishop (10/16/21) Gary Young 
Bishop (10/16/21) Gary Young
- Bishop (4,150′) – Patchy (10 – 50%)
A Tapestry of Textures & Tones
Technically, the June Lake Loop was Patchy when Mark Harding first photographed it, this past week. However, his images establish why visiting a location before it peaks is still a good idea. As, they present a tapestry of varied textures and tones.
The image chosen to lead this report is the earliest of those he took (Wednesday), yet the mix of bare white, red, orange, yellow, lime, forest green and purple mountains majesty made it one of the best in his set.
Morning mist settled on Silver Lake Thursday morning, as morning light and shaded aspen were reflected upon its still water. The mist separated two worlds, that of light and shadow and that of reflection. (click to enlarge image)
Lee Vining Canyon 
Lee Vining Creek 
Lee Vining Canyon 
Lee Vining Creek
The tapestry continued in Lee Vining Canyon where Patchy, Near Peak and Peak trees filled it with varied color.
The above shots were taken up the Little Walker Rd near US 395/Sonora Pass Junction. Again, Mark found a mix of Patchy, Near Peak, Peak and Past Peak trees.