Natural History Wanderings

California Fall Color reports on a new fall color hotspot in the eastern Sierra Laurel Lakes. Post highlights below. See full post and photos at New Fall Color Spot: Laurel Lakes

Bright “orange and yellow are flowing down from higher elevations and meeting up with the lush dark green pine and aspen of the valley floor.  It really is incredible right now… and we expect to see the colors become even more glorious in the next week or two.” Note that many of the aspen are lush and deeply green, while others have turned or are in the transition of turning.

Patchy (10 – 50%) – Laurel Lakes Road – Deep green pines offer contrast to multicolored aspen with orange-yellow willows and bright yellow rabbitbrush accenting the scene.  The contrast of red rocks, firey skies and blazing color will only get better in the coming weeks.  Getting off road to scenes like this is why you visit Mammoth Lakes.

Patchy (10 – 50%) – Twin Lakes – Bright green is starting to turn yellow surrounding Twin Lakes in Mammoth Lakes.

Patchy (10 – 50%) – Lake George – Orange is now present, which was a fast transition from last week’s developing color.  Josh recommends driving to the Mammoth Lakes Basin up Old Mammoth Road until it connects with Hwy 203.  Changing aspen are visible starting at Snowcreek Golf Course all they way to the Lakes Basin.