Here's the link for Parcher's. For those not familiar with it, they are located on the South Fork of Bishop Creek, just below South Lake. They do a pretty good job with Fall color updates.
I wandered up to Sonora Pass and down the east side for a ways today (9/27). I even managed to burn a few sheets of film on a beautiful Sierra day.
On the west side--Oaks at lower elevations between 5-6000 feet are still green. Cottonwood are still mostly green with a few already changing. Aspen above 7,500 are showing some nice color, especially around 8000-8500 feet. Still a bit of green mixed in, but the color is looking good. I would expect the peak to be in a week, plus or minus a couple days, depending on altitude. Some willow in the coldest spot have already lost their leaves, otherwise they are changing nicely
On the East Side of the pass--About the same as for the west side, as far as Aspen and willow are concerned. I didn't go all the way down to Leavitt Meadows, but I would expect things to be about the same as the west. There are some nice groves in the area of the campground.
If the weather holds, and it doesn't get really windy, next weekend (10/6 and 7) should be very, very nice.
If you've not been to Sonora Pass, and you want to escape the hordes of leaf peepers, you can't go wrong, there.
--P
Posted by Harley Goldman on September 29, 2012 at 3:10 PM
Based on current reports on Calphoto and Parchers, sounds like things are popping now. It appears to be an early year compared to the last few. I wish I was up there instead of typing this.
Posted by Rudy Ruberti on October 1, 2012 at 1:09 PM
I just returned from a trip up the east side and the colors are just starting to get good. I spent Friday afternoon in Bishop Creek and the colors at the higher elevations are pretty nice, but still a little green down lower. Hiked up Lundy Canyon on Saturday and the trees are still pretty green below the trail head, but are starting turn a little higher up. I hiked up McGee Creek yesterday and was surprised how much color there was. It's still a little green at the trail head, but some really nice color a few miles up the trail. The June Lake Loop is still pretty green. Based on the last few years, it looks to me like peak colors are going to be a week or two early as compared to last year, and like Preston stated, should be at their peak in a week or so. Also, the Owens Valley is gold with Rabbit Brush. I plan on heading up again this weekend.
Rudy
I wandered up to the Sonora Pass country on Saturday, 10/6. The color is looking really good, especially the aspen groves on both sides of the pass.
If you're headed over to the East Side from NorCal, consider going over Sonora Pass, rather than Tioga, for some nice country and great color.
The NWS is called for a 20--30% chance of snow Tuesday night thru Thursday night, so you'll need to keep an eye on this if you're headed up that way. The same is true for Tioga. Be safe.
--P
Posted by Harley Goldman on October 11, 2012 at 12:21 PM
I was up on the east side starting Friday and came back Tuesday. Bishop canyon still had large areas of green, but the higher areas were mostly past prime. I was not at North Lake for sunrise, but the trees on the far side looked like they were a little past prime on Friday.
A LOT of the leaves that have turned are not very vibrant. They look okay back lit, but are very dull and drab front lit. I think the dry year took its toll. There were areas still green up on Conway summit, but Virginia Lakes road was kind of done. I did not get to Lee Vining canyon or Lundy.
It is still well worth the trip up there, but it is a very early year and I don't think it is one of the best years for the east side.
Also, it seems the Buttermilks are closed to camping. There were no camping signs everywhere. Anyone know when this happened or the details?
Just returned from a trip similar to Harley's. Not the best year, but there are always some small pockets of joy along the route. I hiked a few miles up from the Lundy trailhead for the first time, and it was so nice up there. I even made a few images. Last Thursday and Friday's weather was the highlight of the adventure. Fabulous storm clouds all the way up there Thur and all day Friday, with rain, snow and hail and light poking through regularly. First night in the A Hills was breathtaking. I didn't see any of you at the Whoa Nellie, but the food is still great.
Discussion
9 repliesFeel free to post your fall color reports on this thread.
Happy leaf hunting!
Carol Leigh's Calphoto site: http://www.calphoto.com/fall.htm
Here's the link for Parcher's. For those not familiar with it, they are located on the South Fork of Bishop Creek, just below South Lake. They do a pretty good job with Fall color updates.
--P
I wandered up to Sonora Pass and down the east side for a ways today (9/27). I even managed to burn a few sheets of film on a beautiful Sierra day.
On the west side--Oaks at lower elevations between 5-6000 feet are still green. Cottonwood are still mostly green with a few already changing. Aspen above 7,500 are showing some nice color, especially around 8000-8500 feet. Still a bit of green mixed in, but the color is looking good. I would expect the peak to be in a week, plus or minus a couple days, depending on altitude. Some willow in the coldest spot have already lost their leaves, otherwise they are changing nicely
On the East Side of the pass--About the same as for the west side, as far as Aspen and willow are concerned. I didn't go all the way down to Leavitt Meadows, but I would expect things to be about the same as the west. There are some nice groves in the area of the campground.
If the weather holds, and it doesn't get really windy, next weekend (10/6 and 7) should be very, very nice.
If you've not been to Sonora Pass, and you want to escape the hordes of leaf peepers, you can't go wrong, there.
--P
Rudy
I'll be in the Lee Vining/June Lake area early Friday Morning. Then down to Bishop Creek/ Owen's Valley area.
Hope to run into a few of you!
99' Green Jeep Grand Cherokee
Cell # 707 372 6645
Chris
If you're headed over to the East Side from NorCal, consider going over Sonora Pass, rather than Tioga, for some nice country and great color.
The NWS is called for a 20--30% chance of snow Tuesday night thru Thursday night, so you'll need to keep an eye on this if you're headed up that way. The same is true for Tioga. Be safe.
--P
A LOT of the leaves that have turned are not very vibrant. They look okay back lit, but are very dull and drab front lit. I think the dry year took its toll. There were areas still green up on Conway summit, but Virginia Lakes road was kind of done. I did not get to Lee Vining canyon or Lundy.
It is still well worth the trip up there, but it is a very early year and I don't think it is one of the best years for the east side.
Also, it seems the Buttermilks are closed to camping. There were no camping signs everywhere. Anyone know when this happened or the details?