Fall arrives in the Eastern Sierra

I had the opportunity to drive through the Eastern Sierra in mid-October, just as the fall turning a little bit winter-like.

Eastern Sierra June Lake Loop Oct 2015 #1 I would say it was just a week or two past peak fall colors, but there was still plenty of color left, and even a dusting of snow on the mountain tops.

Little Walker River, Oct 2015 #1These shots are along the Little Walker River.

Little Walker River, Oct 2015 #4Yes, there was actually water flowing in all the rivers.

Abandoned farm by Little Walker River Oct 2015 #1

Abandoned farm by Little Walker River Oct 2015 #5The forests on this side of the mountain looked much less drought-ravaged then in the northern parts of the Sierra.

Fall in the Eastern Sierra Oct 2015 #5

Fall in the Eastern Sierra Oct 2015 #10Just north of Mono Lake, near the Virginia Lakes turnoff, a brilliant display of colors across the hillside.

Fall in the Eastern Sierra Oct 2015 #13I took the June Lake Loop as a side trip, which detours off the 395 for about 30 or so miles and passes three lakes, rejoining the highway further up the road.

The first lake as you drive south on the loop is Grant Lake, which is a reservoir on the LA Aqueduct.  Levels were still quite low – the water still far from the marina, but improving.Grant Lake Oct 2015 #1The dam that creates Grant Lake stretches across Rush Creek, catching the water before it would flow into Mono Lake.  Further up the road, Rush Creek was flowing …

Rush Creek, June Lake Loop, Oct 2015 #12

Rush Creek, June Lake Loop, Oct 2015 #11

More mountains and fall colors along the June Lake Loop …

Rush Creek, June Lake Loop, Oct 2015 #2

Rush Creek, June Lake Loop, Oct 2015 #5Here is Silver Lake, the second of the three lakes.

Silver Lake Oct 2015 #1… and the third lake, June Lake.

June Lake Oct 2015 #1

Here’s Convict Lake, in the fall …

Convict Lake, Oct 2015 #10

Headed down the hill into Bishop …

Owens Valley Oct 2015 #1And the valley floor, just north of Bishop.

Owens Valley Oct 2015 #6

The fall colors for this year (2015) are pretty much done – there’s snow on the hills and ski areas are opening, but here are some resources if you want to go next year:

So long from the Eastern Sierra!