Natural History Wanderings

Fall Colors in Mono County – Mono County Tourism and Film Commission report below. See photos at California’s Eastern Sierra. Sagehen Meadow may be the best spot right now.

 This week the fall colors in Mono County are progressing right on schedule! While the majority of areas are still mostly green, patiently waiting their turn, other areas like Sagehen Summit, Virginia Lakes, and Rock Creek have kicked it up a notch and warrant the “Go Now!” alert! Hikers should focus their energy on the Hilton Lakes, Parker Lake, and Virginia Lakes trails.

WALKER / COLEVILLE / TOPAZ

Monitor Pass – 10-50%
Mill Canyon/Golden Gate Mine Road – 0-10%
Walker Canyon – 0-10%
Towns of Walker & Coleville – 0%
Sonora Pass – 10-50%

BRIDGEPORT / VIRGINIA LAKES

Twin Lakes –  0-10%
Virginia Lakes – 50-75% Go Now! These high elevation areas are filling in with brilliant yellows and a few oranges. Take the Dunderberg Meadow Road towards Green Creek for wonderful red groves in Cinnamon Meadow. Swing by the Virginia Lakes Resort for breakfast or lunch after you enjoy the colorful drive.
Conway Summit – 10-50%
Green Creek – 10-50%
Summers Meadow – 0-10%

LEE VINING

Tioga Pass & Lee Vining Canyon – 0-10%
Lundy Lake & Canyon – 0-10%

BENTON & 120 EAST 

Sagehen Meadow – 75-100% GO NOW! If the sprawling groves of brilliant orange aspens weren’t enough reason to go, the views of Banner Peak and the Sierra Nevada, as well as Mono Lake, are well worth the drive! Stop at the Mono Mills Historic Site on the way out or back for a picnic, and, of course, the South Tufa Reserve to walk the out-of-this-world shores of Mono Lake.

JUNE LAKE LOOP

June Lake Loop/Hwy 158 – 0-10%
Parker Lake – 10-50%
Little Walker Lake – 10-50%

MAMMOTH LAKES

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Lakes Basin – 10-50%
Laurel Canyon – 10-50%
Mammoth Creek Road – 10-50%

CONVICT LAKE

Around resort/campgrounds – 0-10%
Convict Lake & Canyon – 0-10%

CROWLEY LAKE/McGEE CREEK

McGee Creek Canyon – 0-10%
Around Crowley community – 0-10%

ROCK CREEK CANYON

Around Rock Creek Lake – 50-75% Go Now! These high elevation areas are filling in with brilliant yellows and a few oranges. Swing by Rock Creek Lake Resort (closed this weekend for a wedding) for breakfast or lunch after you enjoy the colorful drive.
Along the road –  10-50%
Lower Rock Creek – 0-10%

See photos at California’s Eastern Sierra