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FALL PHOTOS Back
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On the Mono Lake Ranger District, trees
have peaked at the higher elevations, above 9000 feet. The June Lake
Loop has peaked but is still beautiful, as is Lundy Canyon, Parker
and Walker Canyons and the Conway Summit area. Trees are changing
below 7000 feet, but have not peaked yet. On the Mammoth Ranger District,
the trees are close to 100% everywhere. On the White Mountain Ranger
District, the Bishop Creek area is peaked but still nearly 100% color
right now, and the Rock Creek McGee Creek and Crowley Lake areas are
nearly peaked. Here's a Map to help you
find the great spots.
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 The
Mt. Whitney Ranger District is also peaking in many areas. The Owens
Valley trees are changing, but many of the trees do not have good
color (perhaps due to the dry conditions). The areas with greatest
amount of color are between 7000 and 9000 feet. Some areas to hit
include Walker and Parker Canyons, Lundy Canyon and the June Lake
Loop. On the Mammoth Ranger District, areas above 7000 feet elevation
are good. Don’t miss Bishop Creek, McGee Creek, Rock Creek and
the Crowley Lake areas on the White Mountain Ranger District or Onion
Valley and Horseshoe Meadows on the Mt. Whitney Ranger District. Many
of these areas have just passed their peaks, but are still nice.
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Recommended viewing routes: 
Mono Lake: US Highway 395 and State Routes 120 (Tioga Pass)
and 158 (June Lake Loop) are not to be missed. Trees have peaked
but are still nice at the higher elevations. Lower elevations will
probably peak this week.
Mammoth: US Highway 395, State Route 203 and the Lakes Basin
road are all good routes at this time. Trees are peaking now throughout
the Ranger District.
 White
Mountain: US Highway 395, State Route 168 West (Bishop Creek)
and the Rock Creek Road all have good colors. Many of the higher
elevations have already peaked, although the South Fork of Bishop
Creek, Sabrina and Rock Creek are still nice. Trees in the Owens
Valley are close to peaking, although some trees are simply losing
their leaves rather than changing color.
Mt. Whitney: US 395, Horseshoe Meadows and Onion Valley
Roads are all pretty good. Trees are peaking now all over the District,
including the Owens Valley.
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 Viewing
tips/suggestions: Storms in early October brought snow to the
higher elevations and cooler temperatures to the entire region. Although
a gradual warm-up has occurred, temperatures will still be chilly
at night and moderate during the day. Expect daytime temperatures
of 40s to50s, depending on elevation, and nighttime temperatures in
the teens to low 30s.  Weather
can change rapidly at this time of the year; be sure to bring warmclothes
with you. Don’t forget to have your
camera and binoculars with you for the
best viewing. And don’t shy away
from that occasional gust of wind: it could create a beautiful sight
in the middle of an Aspen grove as hundreds or thousands of multi-colored
leaves flutter to the ground. Do you know
why leaves turn color? Anne
Halford, Botanist from the Bureau of Land Management explains. |
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These photos are courtesy of Bonnie Colgan. Her photography is one
of the best. Please visit her at Candid
Images. You can also find her work at many shops in Mammoth. |
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