I had the opportunity to drive through the Eastern Sierra in mid-October, just as the fall turning a little bit winter-like.
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.
These shots are along the Little Walker River.
Yes, there was actually water flowing in all the rivers.
The forests on this side of the mountain looked much less drought-ravaged then in the northern parts of the Sierra.
Just north of Mono Lake, near the Virginia Lakes turnoff, a brilliant display of colors across the hillside.
I 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.
The 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 …
More mountains and fall colors along the June Lake Loop …
Here is Silver Lake, the second of the three lakes.
… and the third lake, June Lake.
Here’s Convict Lake, in the fall …
Headed down the hill into Bishop …
And the valley floor, just north of Bishop.
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!