Natural History Wanderings

 California Fall Color reports

Peak GO NOW! (75-100%) – Lower Rock Creek – For a lovely Creekside hike amidst glowing aspens, take the Lower Rock Creek trail. Start from the top parking lot, near the US 395 junction, and walk down for about 2 miles. It’s uphill on the way back, but the different light through the trees makes it equally enjoyable. Road work along Rock Creek Road is finished and the smooth drive through still-lovely color is enjoyable. Tom’s Place holds a Halloween Costume Party on Oct. 31.  Lower Rock Creek Road and the mountain bike/hiking trail have some nice spots of color but they are still a week or so before peak.

Peak GO NOW! (75-100%) – McGee Creek, Convict Lake.

Peak GO NOW! (75-100%) – Mammoth Creek/Old Mammoth Road.  Mammoth Creek is shining brightly with orange, gold and reds, right now.

Peak GO NOW! (75-100%) – June Lake Loop/Hwy. 158.  The Loop should not be missed right now — the color is pretty much perfect the entire way around Hwy. 158.

Near Peak GO NOW! (50-75%) – Lee Vining Canyon/Lower Tioga Pass Road. Poole Plant Road, close to the bottom of Tioga Pass Road, is getting very close to going off. It’s a matter of days now before it is perfect.

Peak GO NOW! (75-100%) – Lundy Canyon, especially lower Lundy Lake Road, around Lundy Lake itself, and at the first waterfall lookout on the trail.

Peak GO NOW! (75-100%) – Conway Summit.  This spectacular hillside of aspens shines under snow-covered Dunderberg Peak and some of the groves are literally blood red.  This can be seen right from US 395 and the pull-outs but always use caution when exiting and re-entering the highway.

Peak GO NOW! (75-100%) – West Walker River – The river is now lined with mostly golden foliage, and Devil’s Gate, just north of Bridgeport, is perfect, right now. The Burcham Flat Road out of Walker to Lobdell Lake has a few patches of color left, though it’s pretty much past peak. Add this to your bucket list to visit during the first two weeks of October next autumn (can you believe we’re already talking about next year?), as the groves of aspens in this part of northern Mono County are prolific and, backed by an alpine setting, lovely.

see photos at Blood Red Aspen Drip Across Conway Summit