Mono County Fall Color Report – October 5, 2022
Pictures: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/pq4gfrclpy2fca8/AABRK6Uyct4TXaId4f2npniQa?dl=0
FALL COLOR REPORT
CURRENT FALL COLOR REPORT – October 5, 2022: Peak fall colors are happening now in the higher elevations of Mono County! (Generally above 9,500 feet in elevation.) Rock Creek Lake, Virginia Lakes and Sagehen Summit are at full peak and will risk being past peak by the time this report is updated next week. GO NOW if you want to see these locations in full yellow and orange leaves in 2022. The Mammoth Lakes basin also reached the 75-100% category this week with colors happening around the lakes and the trails leading to higher elevations.
Many locations are rapidly progressing and are now in the 50-75% near peak category. Sonora Pass, Lobdell Lake Road, Bodie Hills, Conway Summit, Summers Meadows Road, Tioga Pass, and McGee Creek Canyon are all must stops this week. Mixed colors with groves of peaking aspens are happening at all these locations.
All other locations should be near peak by next week. The cottonwood trees in the towns of Walker, Coleville and Topaz are usually the last to change and are currently projected for the last week in October. Book your trip within the next 2-3 weeks for the best fall color opportunities of 2022.
Must see hikes this week: Upper McGee Canyon is brilliant, Molybdenite Canyon is a must and Parker Lake Trail is a fall classic. Please remember to leave no trace!
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′) – 10-50% Still green sections at he summit and east side of the pass.
West Walker River, Walker, Coleville and Topaz (5,200′) – 0-10% Just starting. Aim for the last week in October for the brilliant cottonwoods here.
Sonora Pass (9,623′) – 50-75% – Go now. Good color at Leavitt Meadows while the rest remains pretty mixed.
Lobdell Lake Road (9,274′) – 50-75% Go now. Great groves with color while other sections are still very green.
BRIDGEPORT / VIRGINIA LAKES
Twin Lakes (7,000′) – 0-10% two more weeks for this area.
Bodie Hills (9,419′) 50-75% – Go now. Some groves near four corners are near peak while the lower level elevations are still green. A great ATV/UTV drive for this weekend.
Virginia Lakes (9,819’) – 75-100% GO NOW! Last call! Go now before it’s too late.
Conway Summit (8,143) – 50-75% – Go now. Peak in the upper sections if you have a long lens. Mixed colors down around the 395 level.
Summers Meadow (7,200′) – 50-75% – Go now. peaking up high with mixed colors along the road.
LEE VINING
Tioga Pass (9,943′) – 50-75% – Go now. Still green in some sections and brilliant in the high country.
Lee Vining Canyon (6,781′) – 10-50% Nice color just starting up the canyon.
Lundy Lake & Canyon (7,858′) – 10-50% Just Starting with better colors as you hike into the upper elevations.
BENTON & 120 EAST
Sagehen Summit (8,139’) – 100% GO NOW! Only a few days left to catch this grove in peak. There are no services or bathrooms at this location. Please remember to park in a safe area off the road.
JUNE LAKE LOOP
June Lake Loop/Hwy 158 (7,654′) – 10-50% Progressing nicely. Plan your trip for the June Lake Loop around the 15-20th of October.
MAMMOTH LAKES – Follow Mammoth Lakes Tourism for the most up-to-date information: VisitMammoth.com
Mammoth Lakes Basin (8,996′) – 75-100% GO NOW. Brilliant color in the basin and the hikes leading to higher elevations.
CROWLEY LAKE/McGEE CREEK/CONVICT LAKE
McGee Creek Canyon (8,600’) – 50-75% Go now – Incredible color up canyon if you are willing to make the hike. Mixed green and yellow leaves at the campground and closer to 395.
Around Crowley community (6,781′) – 10-50% Closer to the 50% category but beautiful in the higher elevations.
Convict Lake (7850′) – 10-50% Just missed the 50-75% category. Should be better towards the end of the week.
ROCK CREEK CANYON
Rock Creek Road (9,600’) – 75-100% GO NOW! – Peaking groves around the lake and in the higher elevations. Still green in the lower sections of the road. Last chance to catch the leaves at lake level.
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(From Mono County Tourism)
