Natural History Wanderings

California Fall Color reports on Mono County Fall Color as of 9/24/15.

“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 –  Rock Creek and Hilton Creek are best bets for bright fall color this week.

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.

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.  

Just Starting (0-10%) – Convict Lake –  The color is just beginning around Convict Lake.

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.  I

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. See photos and more information at Mono County”Weekend Best Bets”