Autumn Arrives
Today is the Autumnal Equinox, which means fall has arrived officially.
In the Eastern Sierra, autumn color has been appearing for a while, but it remains, at best, Patchy (10 – 50%). It is not yet near peak, though experience teaches that change happens quickly.
Lobdell Lake Rd (9/17/21) Jeff Simpson | Mono County Tourism 
Lobdell Lake Rd (9/17/21) Jeff Simpson | Mono County Tourism 
Lobdell Lake Rd (9/17/21) Jeff Simpson | Mono County Tourism 
Lobdell Lake Rd (9/17/21) Jeff Simpson | Mono County Tourism
All forests in Mono County are now open and welcoming fall color watchers. In the Inyo National Forest, Lee Vining, June Lake, Sagehen Summit, Mammoth Lakes, Convict Lake, McGee Creek and Rock Creek are fully open. The Humboldt-Toiyabe NF is also fully open throughout Northern Mono County with no forest restrictions around Walker, Coleville, Topaz, Bridgeport, Twin Lakes (Bridgeport), Virginia Lakes, Conway Summit, or Summers Meadow.
The biggest cause for any delay in color change has been warm overnight temperatures. However, in the past week, temperatures have begun to dip into the mid-30s up high with the most significant and widespread color now being seen near Virginia Lakes (9,819′). Nearby, drive the Dunderberg Meadows dirt road (AWD or 4WD recommended) to Green Creek, then back out to US 395 for more groves of turning aspen.
Sagehen Summit (9/18/21) Jeff Simpson | Mono County Tourism 
Sagehen Summit (9/18/21) Jeff Simpson | Mono County Tourism
Sagehen Summit (AWD/4WD recommended) off 120 East had sections of orange leaves near the summit with mostly green leaves along the road. Jeff Simpson of Mono County Tourism reports Sagehen should be great this weekend and should be a “GO NOW!” momentarily.
Rock Creek Road is just starting to turn at the highest elevations near Rock Creek Lake including trails leading to the Little Lakes Valley.
The AWD/4WD road to Lobdell Lake has a few nice groves along the road after the first creek crossing but it’s still mostly green close to Lobdell Lake.
Tioga Pass (Hwy 120 W), Sonora Pass (HWY 108) and Monitor Pass (HWY 89) are still Just Starting with a few yellow groves at the highest elevations.
A GO NOW! alert is forecast for all Mono County locations now rated Patchy, next week.
- Monitor Pass (8,314′) – 0-10% Just Starting – Just starting near the summit sign at the top of Monitor Pass.
- Sonora Pass (9,623′) – 0-10% Just Starting – Mostly lime green colors at the top of the pass with some yellow groves near Leavitt Meadows Campground.
- Virginia Lakes (9,819’) – 10-50% Patchy – The best colors this weekend will be at Virginia Lakes and along Dunderberg Meadows Road to Green Creek
.(AWD & 4WD recommended for Dunderberg Meadows Road). - Sagehen Summit (8,139’) – 10-50% Patchy – Lots of orange near the summit with colors cascading to green near the road. This area looks to be primed for great color next week.
- Rock Creek Road (9,600’) – 0-10% Just Starting – Small changes happening right now around Rock Creek Lake and all hiking trails that lead to higher elevations.
Pronghorn Rut
Pronghorn antelope are in rut in the Northern Sierra.
Plumas County color spotter Michael Beatley snapped this pronghorn off CA-70 east of Beckwourth near Sugarloaf Mountain where a herd of some 30 antelope play on the range at Sierra Valley, and the skies are not cloudy all day.
Karen Mihaylo of animals.mom.com writes, “Mating season for pronghorn antelopes lasts from September through October. Early cold weather means an early rut. Bucks separate from the other males in August, and begin hanging around the does. Male pronghorns grunt and snort, pushing and fighting other bucks to gain the females’ attention.”
Not Much Yet Up Bishop’s Creek
Bishop color spotter Gary Young drove up Bishop Creek Canyon on Saturday morning to find he’d gotten there before the haze had cleared and too early to see much color as far up the South Fork as Weir Pond (9600′). He remarked that even some lower elevations had more color.
That happens because aspen groves are composed of different families of trees, whose color is triggered on their own schedule, as influenced by light, temperature and hydration.
The big grove across from Bishop Creek Lodge was still very green, as temperatures have not yet dropped. Nighttime temperatures are still hovering near 50° F in Bishop which is delaying the change. More color has been reported at Sabrina Lake, which has the highest elevations in the canyon.
Table Mountain, S Fork Bishop Creek (9/18/21) Gary Young 
S Fork Bishop Creek (9/18/21) Gary Young 
Surveyor’s Meadow, S Fork Bishop Creek (9/18/21) Gary Young 
Table Mountain, S Fork Bishop Creek (9/18/21) Gary Young 
S Fork Bishop Creek (9/18/21) Gary Young 
S Fork Bishop Creek (9/18/21) Gary Young
- S. Fork Bishop Creek (7,800 – 10,000′) – Just Starting to Patchy (0 – 50%)
Nothing But Blue Skies Do I See
Seeing nothing but blue skies following a month of smoke and haze, Eastern Sierra color spotter Clayton Peoples headed south on US 395 to explore the Virginia Lakes, Sagehen Summit, Rock Creek, and the Bishop Creek drainage. He reports:
- Virginia Lakes (10-50% Patchy). It was blustery when Clayton began the day at Virginia Lakes, though the sunrise was great with fast-moving cumulus clouds turning orange with the first rays of sun. Aspen are at the lower end of “Patchy,” closer to 10% than 50%, but color is emerging, as advertised.
Sagehen Meadows (9/19/21) Clayton Peoples 
Upper Rock Creek Rd. (9/19/21) Clayton Peoples
- Sagehen Summit (10-50% Patchy). By 8 a.m. at Sagehen Summit, though windy, it was clear and is now on the low end of Patchy (15%). Should be great in a week.
- Upper Rock Creek (10-50% Patchy). Rock Creek is one of Clayton’s favorite Eastern Sierra locations. Most of the aspen along Rock Creek Rd are Just Starting,. Rock Creek Lake and its surrounding trails warrant a low end of Patchy rating (10-15%). In fact, this is where I got the most beautiful views of the day (see attached photo)–a patch of aspens turning orange in the foreground with Bear Creek Spire and its companions towering in the distance.
- Bishop Creek (10-50% Patchy). In Bishop Creek Canyon, lower elevations are Just Starting and higher up it’s just barely Patchy with some 10% starting to pop. The famous view above Cardinal Village Resort is still lime green, but along the road a little higher up the aspens are starting to turn. Same story at Lake Sabrina, where some stands of aspen are turning orange.
Life and Eternity
In Taoist culture, the color vermilion represents life and eternity.
Perhaps what Philip Reedy and I call Vermilion Grove, a special stand of aspen near Caples Lake along CA-88, conveyed life and eternity to the aspen of the Carson Pass and Hope Valley, as on hearing that CA-88 had reopened, Philip Reedy scouted the route and found Vermilion Grove and aspen along Hwy 88 to be untouched by the Caldor Fire which had otherwise carbonized much of the forest.
Caldor Fire, Carson Pass (9/19/21) Philip Reedy 
Aspen survivors, Caldor Fire, Carson Pass (9/19/21) Philip Reedy 
Caldor Spot Fire, Carson Pass (9/19/21) Philip Reedy 
Caldor Fire, Carson Pass (9/19/21) Philip Reedy
At Carson Spur, Philip saw a spot fire below Caples Lake. A bystander had called it in to CalFire, though Phil opined that the morning mist may have helped keep it in check. As he drove toward Hope Valley, he held his breath, worrying that Vermilion Grove might be destroyed and wrote, “Just 90 degrees to the left below the earthen dam on Caples Lake, trees had burned up to the road.”
However, that point was the eastern boundary of the fire along CA-88. Beyond it, the forest is unchanged. Vermilion Grove stood untouched and lit as usual in the morning light. Blackened forest behind it added to the moment’s drama. Vermilion Grove had survived, is Patchy and will likely peak in the coming week and a half. One of California’s most beautifully poetic scenes survived. Credit its name.
Aspen, Hope Valley (9/19/21) Philip Reedy 
Red Lake Creek Cabin, Hope Valley (9/19/21) Philip Reedy 
Willows, Red Lake Creek (9/19/21) Philip Reedy 
Aspen, Hope Valley (9/19/21) Philip Reedy
Beyond Vermilion Grove, there was little fall color to see. The aspen are still Just Starting, though the willows are flushed with a lovely tone of orange. The same occurs in Hope Valley where Phil found the forest to mostly green with some color developing, but noted that it’s still a week to two weeks from peak. Of note, Hope Valley’s aspen are devoid of blight and healthy, which means closeup photographs will provide attractive representations of them, this autumn.
Aspen, Hope Valley (9/19/21) Philip Reedy 
Aspen, Hope Valley (9/19/21) Philip Reedy 
Aspen, Hope Valley (9/19/21) Philip Reedy 
Aspen, Hope Valley (9/19/21) Philip Reedy
Reedy noted that he’s learned, from early trips he’s made to the Hope Valley, that aspen just west of the Blue Lakes turnoff and along the Old California Trail are among the first to change. He found this to be true again with lots of yellow trees. Another spot to find them is in the grove overlooking the West Carson River where it crosses the highway. Orange and red leaves appear along with yellow at these locations and while the groves are not yet, of themselves to be sufficiently impressive, fallen aspen leaves provide colorful still life images.
- Vermilion Grove (7,800′) – Patchy (10 – 50%)
- Hope Valley (7,300′) – Just Starting (0-10%)
Just Starting
With a week to go before the first official day of autumn, the Eastern Sierra is just starting to get gilded.
Spots of yellow are brightest at Virginia Lakes (US 395, south of Bridgeport), which is exhibiting patchy color. One can assume that other areas at similarly elevated altitudes (Rock Creek, Little Lakes Valley, Lake Sabrina) are also turning color.
This seems to be about on schedule, compared to past autumns. Though in drought years (this is one), autumn color often appears early and is short lived. So, we recommend heading to must-see areas soon after we report Patchy to Near Peak color, as change is likely to accelerate during a drought.
The big news in the Eastern Sierra is that Inyo National Forest is now fully open. This includes areas in Lee Vining, June Lake, Sagehen Summit, Mammoth Lakes, Convict Lake, McGee Creek, and Rock Creek.
The Humboldt-Toiyabe NF was already open with few restrictions such as no dispersed camping and no overnight backpacking allowed. Areas of this national forest in northern Mono County – that are part of the Bridgeport Ranger District – are open, including areas around Walker, Coleville, Topaz, Bridgeport, Twin Lakes (Bridgeport), Virginia Lakes, Conway Summit, and Summers Meadow. The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest will fully open on September 18. To aid trip planning, Mono County Tourism offers a free Eastern Sierra Fall Color Map and other information-rich visitor guides.
Sonora Pass (9/14/21) Jeff Simpson | Mono County Tourism 
Virginia Lakes (9/13/21) Jeff Simpson | Mono County Tourism
In the past week, there’s been little change. Mono County color spotter Jeff Simpson reports Virginia Lakes as being the best bet for fall color this weekend with most of it appearing near the Virginia Lakes Resort.
If you own an AWD or 4-wheel drive vehicle, drive the Dunderberg Meadows dirt road off Virginia Lakes Road to Sinnamon Meadow and Green Creek. Upper Rock Creek and Sagehen Summit are the only other locations that are just starting and worth the drive now.
- Virginia Lakes (9,819’) – 10-50% Patchy – Go here if you want to get the first taste of fall color for the 2021 season! Full yellow trees along the road at the summit near Virginia Lakes Resort.
- Sagehen Summit (8,139’) – 0-10% Just Starting – Traditionally this is the first location in California to reach peak color. Look for major development changes here starting next week!
- Rock Creek Road (9,600’) – 0-10% Just Starting. Small changes happening right now around Rock Creek Lake and all hiking trails that lead to higher elevations.
Inyo NF to Reopen
The USDA Forest Service reports that the Inyo National Forest will reopen on Thurs., Sept. 16. The forest had been scheduled to remain closed until Sept. 18 for public and firefighter safety and to concentrate USFS staff on fighting wildfires.
So, what does this mean for fall color viewing? Considering that Patchy color was reported at Virginia Lakes (9,819′) this past week and that Lake Sabrina is at 9,150′, it’s likely that Patchy color is appearing at the highest locations in Bishop Creek Canyon.
Stage II fire restrictions are still in place on the Inyo, meaning that no campfires are permitted, even in developed recreation sites. Visitors with a valid California Campfire permit may use a portable stove or lantern using gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel.
Additionally, wilderness permits will not be issued for areas where closures are in effect. Travelers are cautioned by the USDA Forest Service to know before they go where forests are closed, have un-contained or active fires or unhealthy air quality.
Some Forest Service lands will remain closed under local closure orders, such as areas of the Eldorado National Forest. As previously reported, the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest (northern Mono County) remains open.
In Southern California, Los Padres, Angeles, San Bernardino and Cleveland National Forests remain closed until Sept. 22, due to local weather and fire factors and the strain that opening them would place on firefighting resources.
At this point, more than 7,404 wildfires have burned over 2.25 million acres across California. The USDA Forest Service reports that its forests in Northern California are at Preparedness Level 5 and those in Southern California are at PL-4.
What Burned?
With 1,179,480 acres consumed by the Caldor and Dixie fires and all national forests closed in California through Sept. 17, you might conclude that lots of fall color was damaged. Yes and no.
El Dorado County’s Caldor fire (southwest of Lake Tahoe) burned through Grizzly Flats, along Mormon Emigrant Trail and toward Lake Tahoe, but it stopped short of the Hope Valley, sparing it. Fire maps indicate it came close to scorching Vermilion Grove (seen above) on the east shore of Caples Lake (Hwy 88), but no on-scene assessment has been received.
In Plumas County (Northern Sierra) the Dixie fire destroyed much of the forest, particularly the trees edging Hwy 89 north to Lake Almanor, along the Indian Valley and it incinerated Greenville.
The prime fall color viewing locations of Spanish Creek and Oakland Camp lie within the Dixie fire’s burn area, though no report has been received as to whether they were scorched or not, as the forest there remains closed. Indian rhubarb are a perennial riparian plant that should recover quickly.
Plumas County color spotter Jeff Luke Titcomb writes encouragingly, “As you travel to Lake Almanor you are subjected to the horrific images of fire but once there it isn’t visible anymore.Lake Almanor will continue to be a hub of tourism in the area, as Chester made it through pretty unscathed.The Eastern parts of Plumas are in pretty good condition considering all that we’ve been through.”
Plumas County color spotter Michael Beatley reports that scenes like that above are gone. He says it’s, “Heartbreaking and heart wrenching to see so many of my favorite places gone. Rich Bar and the historic graveyard, gone. Indian Falls by the ancient maple tree I shot last year, gone. Indian Valley mountain sides blackened. Blessings are that Bucks Lake, Meadow Valley and Quincy were saved.”
While the Caldor and Dixie fires consumed vast areas of forest including several beautiful areas, numerous prime fall color viewing locations were not singed and there’s lots remaining to be enjoyed at Lake Almanor, one of California’s hidden gems.
Be-Leaf It! Fall Has Arrived.
While most California National Forests will remain closed until Sept. 17, Nevada’s National Forests are open and one of them – the Bridgeport Ranger District of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest – overlaps the Eastern Sierra in Mono County. Presently, Patchy fall color (10-50%) is appearing near the Virginia Lakes (Mono County) inside the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest.
That means emerging fall color can now be seen and photographed at 9,819′ near Virginia Lakes. Most of the color is being seen at the top of Virginia Lakes Rd. with some trees topping 50%, reports Mono County color spotter Jeff Simpson. At lower sections along the road, the change is just starting with most trees green to lightly tinted.
Other areas of the Humboldt-Toiyabe NF include areas north of Conway Summit on US 395 and CaliforniaFallColor.com has adjusted its Fall Color Map to show Just Starting conditions (0 – 10%) in Topaz, Walker, Coleville, Bridgeport, Twin Lakes, Summers Meadow, Dunderberg and Conway Summit.
Areas to the south of Conway Summit are within the Inyo National Forest and remain temporarily closed through Sept. 17. Jeff writes that “There’s no predicting, at this point, whether Inyo National Forest will reopen on Sept. 18 or if the closure will be extended, so stay tuned.” Any change in forest closure status will be shared as soon as we know it.
There is no doubt, however, that fall has arrived above 9,500′ in the Eastern Sierra. In past drought years, color has arrived early and been short-lived. So, when this site reports that conditions are Patchy, as they are at Virginia Lakes, be prepared to head to forests that are open and please respect all forest closures.
As an early season reminder, whenever this site reports GO NOW!, we mean it. Go immediately to that location, as peak color is imminent or ongoing and could be gone within days.
Virginia Lakes (9,819’) – Patchy (10-50%) – This is the only spot in California that’s open this weekend with fall color to be enjoyed. So, if you can get over to the Eastern Sierra, now’s the time to get bragging rights that you were there at the beginning of the 2021 season. Virginia Lakes is open for day use only, no overnight camping outside of developed campgrounds. See USFS closure information page for more information.
Forest Closures
To better provide public and firefighter safety, due to extreme fire conditions throughout California and strained firefighting resources throughout the country, the USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region is announcing a TEMPORARY CLOSURE of all National Forests in the Region.
This closure will be effective at August 31, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. through September 17, 2021 at 11:59 p.m.
North of Conway Summit, the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest is open. Just Starting color (yellow and lime) is seen at the Virginia Lakes in Mono County. Air quality is rated at 38 as of today.