Mono County Fall Color Report – October 12, 2022
Pictures: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/s11aw5rpu654g1n/AACiidn4j2iV23VDeszyS4_Va?dl=0
FALL COLOR REPORT
CURRENT FALL COLOR REPORT – October 12, 2022: GO NOW! Fall Colors are peaking at most of our favorite destinations in Mono County. The next 10-14 days will be the best time to visit the majority of locations along US 395. While some sections like the June Lake Loop are still pretty green, locations like Lobdell Lake Road are the best we’ve ever seen it. Sagehen Summit is the only spot that is officially past peak for the 2022 season. The upper sections of Rock Creek Lake and Virginia Lakes are still hanging on with peak color but should be past peak by the time this report is updated next week.
If you’ve booked your trip for the weekend of the 22nd of October, don’t panic! The majority of places around the US 395 elevation (Convict Lake, June Lake Loop, Twin Lakes, Bridgeport, etc.) should be perfect for that weekend. We anticipate having at least a few locations with fall colors through the end of the month with the cottonwood trees around Walker and Coleville having great color into the first week of November.
We will update this report every Wednesday for the remainder of the season. If you’re new to fall colors in Mono County you can view images from previous years to get an idea of timing for all locations and elevations, and download our Fall Color Map to help navigate all the fall color hot spots in the Eastern Sierra.
For the most up-to-date conditions and pictures, follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
Guide:
0-10% – Just Starting
10-50% – Patchy
50-75% – Near Peak (Go Now!)
75-100% – Peaking (GO NOW!)
Past Peak – (You Missed It)
WALKER / COLEVILLE / TOPAZ
Monitor Pass (8,314′) – 75-100% GO NOW! Still green in some sections but should be perfect early next week.
West Walker River, Walker, Coleville and Topaz (5,200′) – 10-50% Still needs some time and should be peaking in 2 weeks.
Sonora Pass (9,623′) – 75-100% – GO NOW! Full peak at the top but won’t be around much longer.
Lobdell Lake Road (9,274′) – 75-100% GO NOW! The most brilliant display of colors we’ve seen in many years. Go now as they won’t be around much longer.
BRIDGEPORT / VIRGINIA LAKES
Twin Lakes (7,000′) – 10-50% Twin Lakes should easily be in the 50-75% range next week.
Bodie Hills (9,419′) 75-100% – GO NOW! Last call for the upper elevations.
Virginia Lakes (9,819’) – 100% GO NOW! Past peak in some sections around the lake. Hanging on around the road but expect this area to be past peak by the time this report is updated next week.
Conway Summit (8,143) – 75-100% – GO NOW! Full sections of peaking aspens from US 395. Please remember to park along one of the designated pullouts.
Summers Meadow (7,200′) – 75-100% – GO NOW! Peaking colors from the road to the top of the mountain with some sections of red and crimson.
Tioga Pass (9,943′) – 75-100% – GO NOW! Peak to past peak along the road and Saddlebag Lake Road.
Lee Vining Canyon (6,781′) – 50-75% Go Now. Closer to 50% but should gradually get better as we reach the weekend.
Lundy Lake & Canyon (7,858′) – 50-75% Go Now. Still green near the campground but brilliant up higher and around the lake.
BENTON & 120 EAST
Sagehen Summit (8,139’) – Past peak
JUNE LAKE LOOP
June Lake Loop/Hwy 158 (7,654′) – 50-75% Go Now. Just made the 50% threshold and still very green in sections. Colors are the best around the June Mountain Parking Lot, Silver Lake and Rush Creek.
MAMMOTH LAKES – Follow Mammoth Lakes Tourism for the most up-to-date information: VisitMammoth.com
Mammoth Lakes Basin (8,996′) – 75-100% GO NOW. Last call!
CROWLEY LAKE/McGEE CREEK/CONVICT LAKE
McGee Creek Canyon (8,600’) – 75-100% GO NOW! – I hope some of you made the hike up canyon for the brilliant display this year. Colors are much better around 395 and the campground this week but the best spots will still be higher in elevation.
Around Crowley community (6,781′) – 50-75% Go Now. Closer to 50% in town and along 395 but incredible up the hill.
Convict Lake (7850′) – 50-75% Go Now. Perfect on the back left hand corner of the lake while still green in some sections. Should be perfect over the next 10-14 days.
ROCK CREEK CANYON
Rock Creek Road (9,600’) – 75-100% GO NOW! – Peak to past peak around the lake but still wonderful along the lower sections of the road.
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(From Mono County)
