Sunrise light on a grove of tufa towers emerging from the water of Mono Lake with soft green and dusty-red wild grasses in the foreground, Canada geese in the shallow water with reflections of the rocky towers, and desert hills in the distance.

October 2 fall color snapshot

Sunrise light on a grove of tufa towers emerging from the water of Mono Lake with soft green and dusty-red wild grasses in the foreground, Canada geese in the shallow water with reflections of the rocky towers, and desert hills in the distance.

Fall color along the Highway 395 corridor is starting to make itself known with yellow and orange ribbons of aspens gracing the Eastside’s steep riparian corridors from Bishop to the Mono Basin and beyond.

Fall color at high elevations in the Mono Basin. Photo by Arya Degenhardt.

Aspen groves at higher elevations are definitely changing—such as the east-facing flanks above Lundy Canyon and below Conway Summit.

I’ve also heard reports that the colors are beautiful in the Sagehen Summit area out Highway 120 East as well as early color around the Lee Vining diversion dam up Highway 120 West.

Who knows what the incoming stormy weather will do to the progression of color, but I highly recommend getting out there as soon as possible.


3 Comments

  2. Looks beautiful, Long Shadow of the famous Crestaceans and camp planner at Tioga Lake, will meet up with trusty buddy Tioga for some fine meandering among the Aspens in the next 10 days. Hope to see you there

  3. The dynamic duo will be combing the Eastside canyons from Sonora Pass to Big Pine in search of the magical Golden Aspen.