FALL COLOR REPORT

October 21, 2020 Fall Color Report: This is the week we've all been waiting for! Almost all locations in Mono County will be peaking over the next 7-10 days. Come now for the last opportunity to see fall colors in the Eastern Sierra. 

Weather and smoke are varying greatly every day and hour at the moment.  Please check the Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District or AirNow.gov (air quality) reports before you head out each day. 

National Forest Update: The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest is fully open and the Inyo National Forest has partially reopened. Fishing, hiking, hunting, and fall color viewing is now open everywhere while wilderness areas in the Inyo National Forest remain closed.  

We have experienced unprecedented trash and littler this summer. If it’s yours, please leave no trace. If it’s someone else’s, please pack it out. Always remember your Mountain Manners.

Please check each agency's website for up-to-date information:

• Inyo National Forest
• Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest – Bridgeport Ranger District
• Yosemite National Park
• Great Basin Unified Air Pollution Control District or AirNow.gov (air quality) 
• Creek Fire Information for Mono County

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') - 100% GO NOW! - Only a few days left to visit Monitor Pass before the leaves are gone for the year!
West Walker River, Walker, Coleville and Topaz (5,200') - 50-75% Go Now! Wonderful in Walker Canyon and along the West Walker River. Still another week from peak colors in the towns of Walker, Coleville and Topaz. 
Sonora Pass (9,623') - 100% GO NOW! Last call for the top of Sonora Pass. Still plenty of color around Leavitt Meadows and closer to US 395.
Lobdell Lake Road (9,274') 100%GO NOW! Only a few grove still standing with color but still worth the trip to beat the crowds. 

BRIDGEPORT / VIRGINIA LAKES

Twin Lakes (7,000') - 75-100% GO NOW! Just approaching peak color around both lakes as of yesterday. Color will be good here for at least the next 7-10 days.
Virginia Lakes (9,819’) - Past Peak
Conway Summit (8,143) - 75-100% GO NOW! Classic Conway Summit views right now! Make sure to find a safe way to pull off of US 395 for pictures!
Summers Meadow (7,200') - 75-100% GO NOW! Beautiful cascading colors from top to bottom right now! 

LEE VINING 

Tioga Pass (9,943') - Past Peak.
Lee Vining Canyon (6,781') - 75-100% GO NOW! A few patches of green trees still but brilliant elsewhere. Should be perfect for at least 10 more days.
Lundy Lake & Canyon (7,858') - 75-100% GO NOW! Spectacular near US 395 and above Lundy Lake Resort. Near 75% at the Campground and along the lake. 

BENTON & 120 EAST 

Sagehen Summit (8,139’) - Past Peak - 

JUNE LAKE LOOP

June Lake Loop/Hwy 158 (7,654') - 75-100% GO NOW! Spectacular around the June Lake Loop right now! All locations and classic viewing spots will be perfect for the next 10 days.

MAMMOTH LAKES

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Mammoth Lakes Basin (8,996') - 75-100% GO NOW! Nearing past peak in the Mammoth Lakes Basin and perfect around town. Follow Visit Mammoth for more information! 

CROWLEY LAKE/McGEE CREEK/CONVICT LAKE

McGee Creek Canyon (8,600’) - 75-100% GO NOW!- Great color everywhere including the campground and pack station. 
Around Crowley community (6,781') - 50-75% Go Now! - Still green in some sections but should be perfect by the weekend and into next week. 
Convict Lake (7850') - 50-75% Go Now!- Just a shade off full peak colors but groves of great color still located all around the lake. 

ROCK CREEK CANYON

Rock Creek Road (9,600’) - 100% GO NOW! Last call for the upper sections of the road but still peaking closer to US 395.