Bishop Creek Canyon: Baffling Brilliance
“Baffling brilliance” is all we can think of to describe what’s happening this year up Bishop Creek in the Eastern Sierra. Today, we announce ominously, Tah, Dah!, that if you didn’t get to Weir Pond, Parcher’s Resort, Table Mountain Camp, Surveyor’s Meadow or Lake Sabrina, YOU MISSED IT!
That’s right. You missed it. These areas are now Past Peak and it’s still September… well, at least for the rest of today it is.
However, despite being past peak, these areas retain impressive patches of fall color near streams. OK, now you’re as baffled as we are.
What is happening, in this fourth year of drought, is that some groves are going off quickly while others that have water seem to be on their normal schedule. That creates what Jared Smith termed, last week, “transitional change,” where part of the forest is peaking, while other parts are still patchy.
The bottom line to anyone who wants to photograph or see fall color at peak is that when we announce GO NOW!, you must not delay, even if the alert is for Near Peak areas. As, this year the color change may not last a week, OR (more bafflement), it could continue for weeks on end.
Here’s todays report from color spotter Jared Smith of Parcher’s Resort:
Overall Conditions Above 8500ft Elevation – Peak – Go Now! (75% – 100%) – Out of all the years Jared has been doing fall color reporting for the Bishop Creek Canyon, he writes “this has been by far the most difficult to put into a rating scale. There are areas of color that are absolutely going off in full peak color, right next to areas where the color is quickly diminishing, right next to areas containing lots of green still developing color…it’s very difficult.”
Still, while some areas in the higher elevations were better last week than they are today, there are more areas of peak color than not at the higher elevations so he went with a peak rating. The highlights this week are the South Fork of Bishop Creek near Willow Campground, and between Parchers Resort & Weir Pond. On the other side of the canyon, the area between Sabrina Campground and the Sabrina Dam is stunning, and North Lake has tons of peak color.
A storm is predicted for the weekend, including wind and a chance of snow. So, let’s cross our fingers that the color withstands the cold front.
Overall Conditions Between 7500ft & 8500ft Elevation – Patchy (10% – 50%) – The yellow continues to develop, along with a few patches of orange and red, but the green is holding strong, at least for the next few days. Look for this elevation to be in near peak condition or better by next week’s report. The best color is showing near Cardinal Village on up towards Cardinal Mine. A few small patches of brilliant color near Intake II also.
Peak – Go Now! (75% – 100%) – Sabrina Campground to Sabrina Dam (9000ft) – Some of the red shown over the past few weeks is gone, but without skipping a beat, the color within the campground on up to the approach to the Sabrina dam is absolutely spectacular. Especially beautiful are the views of the winding road across the bridges.
Peak – Go Now! (75% – 100%) – Willow Campground (9000ft) – The next few days will have primo color in and around Willow Campground. A few of the trees already have lost their leaves but the vast majority of the color is just now at or extremely close to peak. The color on the mountain above the camp and also along the old road between Willow and Parchers is really stunning.
Peak – Go Now! (75% – 100%) – North Lake (9255ft) – This area continues to give Jared fits as a reporter, since parts of the shoreline are naked, parts are bright red, and the famous grove lining the road between the first parking area and the campground is about as gorgeous as it gets, a far cry from last week when there was still green dominating that spot. Anyhow, there is enough peak color here, and enough areas that are at their best, for this to get a peak rating still. But seriously, GO NOW! Jared questions whether the color will be as good next week. Willows are almost completely naked now, a sure sign that the color won’t hold out for much longer at this location.
Past Peak – YOU MISSED IT! (but still impressive) – Weir Pond (9650ft) – As expected, Weir Pond isn’t quite as stunning as it was last week with much of the scrub aspen on the hillside above the pond having gone naked. Lots of color has developed along the road and the color is still beautiful surrounding the pond itself. Any photographer visiting the area should check this spot out – it’s still very much worth the trip.
Past Peak– YOU MISSED IT! (but still impressive) – Parchers Resort (9260ft) – There is a bunch of color still around the resort, especially along the back trail towards South Lake and below on the way to Willow. However, the best color has started to falter, especially higher on the mountains where the smaller aspen have given up. There is some especially brilliant color along South Lake road next to the resort as well as on the canyon wall to the west wall of the canyon that is hanging tough and very much worth a look.
Past Peak– YOU MISSED IT! (but still impressive) – Table Mountain Camp (8900ft) – The color higher on the mountain and within the campground is showing past peak conditions. Lots and lots of color along the stream though, anywhere between the Stiny Loop and the campground.
Past Peak– YOU MISSED IT! (but still impressive) – Surveyors Meadow (8975ft) – Color-a-plenty can be found in the area between Surveyors and the Tyee bridge, but last week was better than this week, so it gets the past-peak rating.
Past Peak– YOU MISSED IT! (but still impressive) – Lake Sabrina (9150ft) – The color in the back of the lake is gorgeous orange, yellow and red and a walk along the trail that skirts the west shore of the lake offers some pretty impressive views. The east shore is less so, and given how far the color is along here, Jared doubts much will remain after the weather this weekend.
Near Peak (50 – 75%) – Stiny Loop above Mt. Glen Camp (8600ft) – Jared questions how much peak color will develop at this location, considering that the color seems to disappear as fast or faster than it appears.
Just Patchy (10 – 50%) – Mist Falls and the groves above Bishop Creek Lodge (8350ft) – Finally a bit of progress in the color this week with a lot more yellow showing up around the waterfall and in the groves between there at Mt. Glen Campground. This will likely be one of the highlights by next weekend (not this weekend).
Just Starting (0 – 10%) – Aspendell (8400ft) – Very little yellowing, but the green is getting very light so Jared predicts patchy or better color within the week.
Patchy (10 – 50%) – Groves above Cardinal Village (8550ft) – The aspen blanketing the hillside from Cardinal Pinnacle down are pretty much toast. But, now that is done, the color all down the creek from the North Lake turnoff winding down the canyon past the mine towards Cardinal Village is showing yellow. Jared anticipates a great report from this area next week, conditions permitting.
Just Starting (0 – 10%) – Four Jeffries (8000ft) – Nothing but a few yellow branches showing right now. The aspen have lightened considerably though over last week.
Patchy – (10 – 50%) – Intake II (8000ft) – The canyon wall is mostly stripped now but there are some very nice patches near the dam, and a couple of the large aspen along the shoreline are starting to yellow quite nicely.
Just Starting – (0 – 10%) – Big Trees Campground (7800ft) – Nothing but green here right now.
Bloody Good
Cory Poole’s photograph of this past weekend’s eclipse of the moon over Mt. Shasta can only be described as “Bloody Good.”
Poole is a high school teacher who combines an eye for astronomy and landscapes in his photography. Like many photographers who contribute their work to California Fall Color, he sells prints of his work. If you see any photographs on this site (including this bloody good image) of which you would like to buy a professionally printed reproduction, email editor(at)californiafallcolor.com and we’ll put you in touch with the photographer.
Other photographers providing work from the Shasta Cascade this week are Mike Nellor and Jeff Titcomb.
Mike captures the first coloration of Indian Rhubarb along a stream, while Jeff creates a still life of changing dogwood leaves.
Hike of the Week: Ansel Adams Wilderness
Alena Nicholas hiked into the Ansel Adams Wilderness this past weekend and sent these photos of the gold to be discovered there.
To get to this area, you take a dirt road from the June Lake Loop from which two main lakes are reached: Parker and Walker. The hike to each from the dirt road takes an hour, but is well worth it, Alena reports. Signs along the road direct hikers to the trailheads.
Refreshing aspects of these trails are the glimpses of water, trailside and in the distance. That water has nourished a lot of color in the area.
The nearby June Lake Loop is still in its early phases, so if you’re heading to the Eastern Sierra, you’ll be most satisfied by hiking up creeks and into areas where the color is best.
If you’re not up to or able to hike, head to Virginia Lakes near Conway Summit. It’s a short drive from US 395 and you’ll find color all along the Virginia Lakes Road, the shoreline of the lakes and at nearby Dunderberg Road.
Patchy (10-50%) – June Lake Loop
Patchy (10-50%) – Ansel Adams Wilderness – Walker Lake and Parker Lake (approaching peak)
Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW! – Virginia Lakes Road
Patchy (10-50%) – Virginia Lakes (approaching peak)
Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW! – Dunderberg Road
Confirmed: North Lake Peaking For Sure
We were as surprised as our readers when Bishop Creek (Inyo County, Eastern Sierra) jumped from Patchy to Peak last week, though color spotter Nikhil Shahi confirms this rating was deserved and shares these beautiful pictures, taken this past weekend.
Nikhil writes, “North Lake is at peak, for sure… it will not last. It’s just gorgeous there.”
South Lake Road is bursting with color as far up as Weir Pond. Lee Vining Canyon is two weeks away from full color and there’s good color at Conway Summit and along the road to Virginia Lakes.
What A Difference Three Days Makes
Three days ago, Mendocino County color spotter Crys Black had decided to report fall color as Just Starting north of Willits on U.S. 101, but when she drove The Redwood Highway this morning, “the color was beautiful and I have to bump it up to 10-50% with the best location just north of Willits.”
Crys says Mendocino County received two inches of rain recently, nourishing beautiful orange, yellow, “even some purple… wildflowers.”
The fall color along 101 is Patchy, with a lot of yellow and some oranges and reds. Most of the yellow comes from bigleaf maple, the orange from alder, chartreuse from climbing wild cucumber and splashes of red from poison oak, Toxicodendron diversilobum.
There is no poison in poison oak. What creates its irritating, painful rash is contact with urushiol oil, a potent allergen found on the plant’s leaves. Unfortunately for those affected, poison oak is California’s most prevalent woody shrub. That prevalence, for those of us who appreciate red fall color, has the positive aspect of brightening woodlands with crimson in autumn.
Crys says the vines are showing pretty color around Asti and Geyserville, though it’s Just Starting. Crush arrived early this year, though fall color will develop as in previous years.
Donna Hufford a color spotter at Elk Meadow Cabins in Orick reports that alder and bigleaf maple beside U.S. 101, north of Orick, are now coloring Redwood National and State Parks with bright patches of orange and yellow. Roosevelt Elk bulls, the largest in North America, are in full rut as they trumpet and fight one another for mating rights to harems of elk cows.
Just Starting (0-10%) – North Coast Vineyards
Patchy (10-50%) – U.S. 101 – Willits to Klamath
Just Starting (0-10%) – U.S. 101 – Klamath to Crescent City
Mono County Gets Hot – GO NOW!
In what she describes (we concur) as some of Mono County’s nicest photos so far this season, color spotter Alicia Vennos updates us on how her county has suddenly gotten hot with fall color.
Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW! – Virginia Creek Rd/Dunderberg Meadow Rd. – Groves of aspen near the Virginia Lakes currently range from bright red, to orange, to gold and lime-green, with a few completely denuded stands (our bet is those that lost their leaves were due to black leaf spot fungus, not the change of seasons).
Patchy (10-50%) – Green Creek/Summer’s Meadow – Green Creek/Summer’s meadow is about to pop and should be peaking within a week. This is one of the most beautiful areas of the Eastern Sierra and one that few photographers and leaf peepers ever visit. A vehicle that doesn’t mind a dirt road (Rats! I just washed my car… oh, well) that’s bumpy in places is best to make this trek. And, if you happen to have a SUV, well use it as it was designed to be used… off-road.
Near Peak (50-75%) – Twin Lakes, Bridgeport – Most of the Twin Lakes area is glowing and by next week should be peaking. The Twin Lakes are tucked against an escarpment of Sierra peaks in the southwest corner of the Bridgeport Valley, a broad, grassy mountain basin that in summer is covered with hundreds of grazing cattle. The town of Bridgeport is the capital seat of Mono County with a photogenic 1880 Italianate county courthouse that is still being used. It even has a cannon sitting in front of it.
Sherwin Lakes Brightly Beautiful
It’s an invigorating hike to the Sherwin Lakes above the town of Mammoth Lakes, though the reward is worth the effort.
The trail passes through colorful brush and the lakes reflect fall color that rings the lakes. And, once at the lakes, dip your fly to catch and release native trout.
Here’s what color spotter Josh Wray found with some friends when they hiked there, yesterday.
Patchy (10-50%) – Sherwin Lakes – Brush paint the trail to the Sherwin Lakes above Mammoth in shades of gold and buff. At the lakes, a mix of green, lime, yellow and orange aspen are reflected in the lake’s still waters.
High Sierra Surprise: Full Peak – GO NOW!
After posting Mono County’s report this morning, I anticipated the arrival of Jared Smith’s report from Bishop Creek Canyon in the Eastern Sierra. I sensed he would report Near Peak at Surveyor’s Meadow, but was blown away by the news that color has changed rapidly in the past few days, pushing all areas above Mt. Glen Campground to full Peak.
Therefore, CaliforniaFallColor.com is issuing its first GO NOW! alerts of autumn (just a day after the autumnal equinox). When we issue these alerts, do not delay getting to the locations identified as Near Peak or Peaking, as the turned leaves are very fragile and can be blown away. In this instance, there is such a mix of color that it should last a while, though our advice is… GO NOW!
Here’s Jared’s report:
Overall Conditions Above 8500ft Elevation
Peak – GO NOW! (75% – 100%) – What a difference a week makes! Color has exploded up Bishop Creek Canyon at higher elevations, with Lake Sabrina, North Lake and anything on the South Fork above Mt. Glen Campground peaking.
Jared says he’s noticing some odd transitioning occurring. “Where usually entire groves change together, instead a really cool mix of yellow, orange and red are appearing simultaneously with quite a few stubborn green aspen in the mix.” The color variation is gorgeous though he is rating these areas at Full Peak or at the high end of Near Peak, “as by the time those stubborn green trees turn, the others may have given up their color. We’re certainly in the “Go Now!” zone. If the weather plays ball, the next 7 days will be excellent in the higher reaches of the canyon…hard to say beyond that.”
Overall Conditions Between 7500ft & 8500ft Elevation – Patchy (10% – 50%) – Quite a bit more yellow than last week but still mostly green in areas that we’ll see go off later in the autumn. I would rate this area just above 10% but barely. Some brilliant yellow patches below Mt. Glen Campground, Cardinal Village, Intake II and Mist Falls, but below those spots we’re looking at mostly green.
Peak – GO NOW! (75% – 100%) – Weir Pond (9650ft) – Weir is about as good as its going to get this season with brilliant yellow and a bit of orange reflecting off the glass pond. The aspen along the road are still mostly green so there is still a little left to change, but this is pretty much peak photo time if you want to catch the yellow on the hillside and near the inlet.
Peak – GO NOW! (75% – 100%) – Sabrina Campground (9000ft) – This area is hard to call because even areas close to one another change at slightly different times, but there is peak color right now in large areas along Hwy 168 and just above the campground on the North Lake Rd. Still some green within the campground itself but there is peak color surrounding it.
Peak – GO NOW! (75% – 100%) – Parchers Resort (9260ft) – Yellow pretty much surrounds the resort on all sides with the groves above Rainbow Meadow on the old trail to South Lake taking the cake as the most brilliant. Groves below the resort in between Parchers and Willow Camp are also looking spectacular.
Near Peak – GO NOW! (50% – 75%) – Willow Campground (9000ft) – The campground is really starting to change but the canyon walls above the to the south of the beaver pond are already exploding with color. I’m still guessing next week will be the best.
Peak – GO NOW!(75% – 100%) – Table Mountain Camp (8900ft) – Lots of color now showing all around the campground as well as below the campground. There is still some green yet to change along the roadway but it likely won’t the best will be seen over the next 7 days tops.
Peak – GO NOW! (75% – 100%) – Surveyors Meadow (8975ft) – This is probably the most brilliant view along South Lake road with lots of yellow and touches of orange. We’ve lost a little color from those scrub aspen that popped early, but the larger aspen are now showing brilliant color and have brought this area into the “Go Now” zone. I’d expect the next 7 days to be the window for this location to be at its best.
Peak – GO NOW! (75% – 100%) – Lake Sabrina (9150ft) – Spectacular views at Lake Sabrina now. This may be closer to the 75% mark than the 100% mark, especially as the approach to the lake still has some ways to go, but not for long. Some rosy red, orange and yellow blanket the shoreline as well as the canyon wall near the lake’s main inlet. Breathtaking morning reflections off the lake despite the lower than normal water level.
Peak – GO NOW! (75% – 100%) – North Lake (9255ft) – This was an area difficult to grade as areas of the north shore of the lake, the approach to the lake, and the aspen grove near the upper parking lot are all fully peaking. Still yet to peak however are the road just past the lake (one of my favorite views), and the aspen along the west shore. It’s hard to say whether or not this area will have color all at once so I consider this a “go now” scenario as there is peak color to be had and whether it will get much better is hard to say.
Near Peak – GO NOW! (50 – 75%) – Stiny Loop above Mt. Glen Camp (8600ft) – We’re getting pretty close to a peak color situation here with tons of yellow mixed in with lime green.
Just Starting (0 – 10%) – Mist Falls and the Groves above Bishop Creek Lodge (8350ft) – I almost wanted to call this patchy but alas, only a few yellow trees and some obvious lightening of the aspen at the very crest of the waterfall. This location is always photo-worthy, but not like it will be in 7 to 10 days from now.
Just Starting (0 – 10%) – Aspendell (8400ft) – Very few signs of color here right now.
Patchy (10 – 50%) – Groves above Cardinal Village (8550ft) – This area actually lost some color over the last report as far as the yellow that was blanketing the east wall of the canyon below Cardinal Pinnacle. The aspen surrounding and below Cardinal Village are starting to lighten up considerably with some nice yellow patches in the mix. Looking for this to get really good in the next week or so.
Just Starting (0 – 10%) – Four Jeffries (8000ft) – Nothing but a few yellow branches showing right now. The aspen have lightened considerably though over last week.
Patchy – (10 – 50%) – Intake II (8000ft) – Much of the yellow on the canyon wall is gone, but the color is just starting to develop around the lake with bright lime greens mixed with some patchy yellow.
Just Starting – (0 – 10%) – Big Trees Campground (7800ft) – Nothing but green here right now.
Mono County “Weekend Best Bets”
CaliforniaFallColor.com kicks into high gear today, with autumn officially arriving yesterday. Each Thursday, during autumn, we’ll be issuing weekly summaries to media throughout California and posting the latest extended report here.
Today’s report is from Mono County color spotter Alicia Vennos who says, “Color is really kicking it up a notch in the Upper Rock Creek area, especially near the top of the road and around Rock Creek Lake. Lower down at East Fork, for example, (where there is a lovely hiking trail up to Rock Creek Lake), the aspens are still on the verge.
Alicia suggests Rock Creek, Hilton Lakes and Virginia Lakes. Parker Lake, Lundy Canyon, Twin Lakes in Bridgeport, and Sonora Pass area as best bets to see fall color this weekend and notes that the color will transition from patchy to near peak at all these areas within the coming two weeks.
June Lake, Convict Lake, and Conway Summit are just starting and should not near peak for two weeks.
Patchy (10-50%) – Rock Creek Road/Hilton Creek Road – As seen in photos submitted by Josh Wray earlier this week, Rock Creek and Hilton Creek are best bets for bright fall color this week. Getting there, you’ll pass Rock Creek Lodge, known for its breakfasts – everything, including the jam is homemade. Pie in the Sky Café is another must stop, but just until Columbus Day when it closes for the season. The wranglers at Rock Creek Pack Station have been transporting horses down to lower pastures, in preparation for winter, though a few horses are still stabled there for anyone wanting to see fall colors by horseback. CLICK HERE to reserve your ride.
Just Starting (0-10%) – Mammoth Lakes – Willows are glowing orange-yellow by lake shores in the Lakes Basin.
Patchy (10-50%) – Laurel Lakes Road – Neon lime and bright yellow are painting the aspen beside this rock-strewn 4WD road.
Patchy (10-50%) – Virginia Lakes/Green Creek Road/Bridgeport – Green Creek Road, south of Bridgeport, is a stunner, particularly Summer’s Meadow. Watch for signs leading you to it that divert from the graded dirt road. The area should be at full peak when Bridgeport hosts its Ducks Unlimited Dinner on Oct. 17.
Patchy (10-50%) – Lundy Canyon – This area probably still is a week or two away from peak, though it the beautiful transition from deep green to kelly to lime, with touches of yellow is now showing. This is one of the best hikes on the east side.
Patchy (10-50%) – Lee Vining Canyon – Still two weeks away.
Just Starting (0-10%) – June Lake Loop – Many color spotters ask about this beautiful necklace of lakes to the east of Yosemite National Park. Right now, aspen groves at the north end of the June Lake Loop, high above Grant Lake, are beginning their transition from green to lime to golden yellow and orange. Elsewhere on the Loop (Hwy. 158), color is now just starting to become lime green with some hints of gold. Parker Lake, about a 2-mile hike from the end of Parker Road at the north end of the June Lake Loop, has got some nice lime-green, yellow-orange hues now. June Lake should be Near Peak when June Lake Brewing hosts the June Lake Autumn Beer Festival on Oct. 10 at Gull Lake Park.
Just Starting (0-10%) – Convict Lake – This photo says it all. The color is just beginning around Convict Lake. That’s probably a good thing for people out to see it, as road crews are paving the parking lot area, the accessible trail, and Convict Lake Road, limiting parking. Convict Lakes annual Ambush at the Lake Fishing Derby will continue through the end of the regular fishing season on Nov. 15.
Just Starting (0 -10%) – Conway Summit – As seen above, the aspen are mostly green with spots of yellow. Golden grasses and bright yellow rabbitbrush provide nice foreground accents.
Patchy (10-50%) – McGee Creek Canyon – There’s gold and yellow to be seen among the aspen. McGee Creek is still a week to 10 days away. If you want to ride the area, the McGee Creek Pack Station remains open just through September.
Just Starting (0-10%) – Walker/Coleville – Aspen have begun turning lime-green with some yellow patches, though the cottonwood throughout the Antelope Valley are still mostly green. The last event to put on your calendar, should you plan trips to this area is Walker’s annual Deer Hunter Barbecue on Oct. 3. Put on by the Antelope Valley Lions Club, this is the place to learn local secrets on where to hunt in the valley or what goes into their famous barbecue sauce. (530) 208-6078 is the number to call for more info. Finally, the Leavitt Meadows Pack Station plans to remain open through mid-October for fall color horseback rides in the Sonora Pass area.
Autumn Begins Today, But Started Weeks Ago
Autumn begins today, though #SierraFallColors have been developing for weeks.
In the Eastern Sierra, that is particularly evident up Rock Creek and Hilton Creek Canyons, south of Mammoth Lakes and Lundy Canyon to the north, where color spotters Josh Wray and Christine Osborne took these photos. The color there is still mostly patchy, though approaching Near Peak.
Right now, you’ll see lots of fluorescent lime, neon yellow and bright orange, though not enough to announce an alert to Go Now!
Josh describes the Eastern Sierra as where mountain ridges begin to glow as if they’re afire, canyon roads are the “roads to happiness” and the higher you go, the more you see changing. Soon, you witness “trees in every phase of the color shift.”