Posted by Cory Freeman on September 7, 2009 at 1:59 PM
Preston asked if I could create this thread so I could post current conditions. I'll post reports here as time allows, most likely for Bishop Creek Canyon to Mammoth. If anyone else has any reports for the Eastern Sierra this would be a good place to put them.
Thanks for getting this started, Cory. We'll all look forward to reports from you and others, here.
-P
Posted by Paul Duval on September 7, 2009 at 11:10 PM
Virgina lakes trail head road, the aspen in this area at the higher altitudes are starting to turn. Seen Sunday 9/5. This is between Mono Lake and June Lake Loop Road.
Correction Road is North of Mono Lake just past Lundy canyon.
Posted by Cory Freeman on September 8, 2009 at 5:03 PM
In a nut shell, it's still very early here w/ a few rogue aspens turning(smaller ones). Pics are from sabrina & north lake sides as well as south lake side up to willow CG. Not much going on the south lake side either. I'll be going to Little Lakes Valley backpacking this weekend thur-sun so I'll have some pics from there to show you next week.
Posted by Cory Freeman on September 12, 2009 at 11:59 PM
Just got back from a backpack trip in LLV. Here's a few quick snaps around Rock Creek Lake for color. Looks like color is coming along quickly here in the upper parts of the canyon in the smaller aspens. The larger aspens still have a ways to go. In LLV similar conditions, w/ the willows starting to turn yellow as well. Overall the color still has a ways to go. Hope this helps a bit!
That group of Aspens near Lake Sabrina looks especially nice.
Thanks to Cory for the earlier link.
Derek
Posted by Cory Freeman on September 18, 2009 at 10:26 PM
Here's the color report for Bishop drainage for today. Color is turning kinda weird this year it seems. the color is changing to a reddish brown above north lake already. Seems things are turning quickly. Don't know what to expect????
Things still look pretty green around North Lake which is good for those not coming out for at least a couple of weeks. But man it sure must be nice to live over there and watch the whole thing progress and then peak.
Derek
Posted by Cory Freeman on September 19, 2009 at 12:08 AM
those always turn first, at least the last few years. They're fairly small aspens and those seem to always turn first. It is nice to be so close and keep an eye on things!
Thanks for all the updates.
This sure seems to be a dramatic switch from last year. I know I was up there too soon last year and this year almost seems like it will be a bit late. I guess that's why one needs to live in the eastern area, right Cory!
Posted by Steve Sieren on September 21, 2009 at 11:39 AM
I was just up that way Saturday morning and there are so many green aspen next to the trees that have turned so I think the fall color during the meetup weekend will be very plentiful at a certain elevation.
Posted by Aaron Burdick on September 22, 2009 at 4:58 PM
I was just up in Bridgeport last weekend. The colors have started to change, mainly in the higher elevations. The Virginia Lakes area is beautiful and close to peak. Lundy Canyon and others are starting to change but probably 1-3 weeks from peak, depending on the area. Happy shooting! Caught a beautiful sunset over Mono Lake. Purples in every direction!
Aaron, thank you for the very current updates from your recent trip. It does sound like maybe timing will be on our side for those hitting the area over the next two to three weeks.
Hope to see you up there on the 4th if you are able to make it.
Posted by Paul Duval on September 23, 2009 at 8:36 AM
Guys,
I'll have a report next Sunday for the prior weekend as if you fall color hounds aren't salivating enough already. My wife is draggin' me ( right) to our cabin at Aberdeen 30 miles south of Bishop, and where I'll be staying the weekend of the gathering. It's in striking distance of Big Pine Creek South and North fork of Bishop creek Pine creek, Rock reek.Convict lake ad infinitum, any requests for scouting info?
Paul
"Broaden your horizons it gives you many more directions to go." Me
Posted by Derek Sedillo on September 23, 2009 at 2:10 PM
Yeah Paul,
I would love to hear more about the Fall colors at lower elevations like the Owens River near Pig Pine. While most folks head for the hills it seems like there is a 'ton of potential' with the Owens River and those 13ers and 14ers in the background. I may start a new thread on this topic as well.
Derek
Posted by Derek Sedillo on September 23, 2009 at 2:40 PM
Posted by Paul Duval on September 23, 2009 at 7:28 PM
I'll give a report when I return and post some of the better photo's ( as if I could compete with these guys sheesh they set the bar high.) And don't worry Derek I'll root out some of that low elevation scrub lands around Pig Pine and see what I uncover.
Paul.
Posted by Inge Fernau on September 24, 2009 at 3:20 PM
My first Eastern Sierra Fall Color report for 9/23.
Most of the small Aspens when driving down the steep part of the Tioga Pass have turned already.
Lee Vining Canyon, still green/lime green. Barely a few Aspen started to show color.
The Parker Bench as seen from US 395 has one patch of orange and the rest still looks green.
Bishop Creek Canyon:
Up to Aspendell, mostly lime green with the mountain sides above Intake II looking yellow with a little green. The big grove behind Aspendell has the smaller Aspen looking mostly yellow/orange with a few green trees; the taller Aspens are still green. From here all the way up to Lake Sabrina, 60% of the Aspen are yellow, orange and some red. The rest is still green. Here is some bad news; I did see some trees with brown leaves already mixed in (by the small bridge past the Sabrina campground). Lake Sabrina is about 75% turned. The sun lit up the trees in sparkling yellow and orange. Some green ones still on the slopes. In my opinion the colors at the lake approach peak fast.
The Aspens along the North Lake Road are about 50/50. With yellow, orange and red colors. The “tree tunnel” has one side green, the other side yellow. The big Aspen grove behind the lake is about half yellow with some orange and half green. The slopes up the mountain are mostly a reddish orange with some green. Some of the Aspen close to the outlet by the lake are already red and some trees have brown leaves and don’t look very good. The colors by the first day use parking lot are, in my opinion, at peak.
The South Lake Road from the Forks campground to the Mountain Glenn campground is mostly green with a hint of yellow here and there. Between this campground and Parchers Resort the color is coming in nicely and the Aspen trees are about 60% turned. Lots of yellow and orange, however the trees around the Table Mountain group camp are still mostly green. The slopes in this area have brilliant colors already, especially the small Aspen shrubs. There is still green in this section. 75% of the Aspens between Parchers and the South Lake parking lot are yellow and orange.
Rock Creek Lake Road between US 395 and the snow park area are mostly green with a few colors along the slopes. Starting at the snow park area the color is yellow, red and some green about 50/50. From the Pack Station to the Mosquito Flat trailhead parking the color is at 80%. A lot of the trees are already yellow, with some orange and red. Some of the trees have lost their leaves or have brown leaves mixed into them.
I posted images on flickr here: September 23, 2009 Photos
Posted by Derek Sedillo on September 25, 2009 at 12:04 AM
Wow, Inge thanks so much for the details and images! Things are really in full swing now in a number of places it sounds like.
And BTW I must say your Blog has inspired me along with the beautiful photos you have taken of the Fall colors over the years. After moving here from CO I really was missing Fall colors. But after seeing your work I knew there was hope on the east side of the state.
Thanks for inspiring!
Derek
Posted by Cory Freeman on September 26, 2009 at 9:36 AM
Here's a quick report I did for North Lake yesterday.
The weather is changing drastically on wed w/ a forcasted 20 degree drop in temps and a healthy side order of wind. If the wind materializes as they predict we'll likely lose a bunch of leaves in bishop crk drainage that are at peak. The good thing though is many trees in aspedell and lower are still green so we'll have to see what happens.
Thanks for the report Inge. That's an insane day trip!
Thank you again for the constant flow of information everyone. The reports do indeed sound much more positive this year then what I encountered on last years trip up there. Sounds like the winds are upon us too. They seem to be apart of fall weather and can be tough for landscape photography of any form, but especially aspen shots.
Posted by Derek Sedillo on September 26, 2009 at 6:02 PM
Oh Man, I can just see and hear those quaking Aspens even now sitting here in Monterey!
Posted by Inge Fernau on September 26, 2009 at 8:00 PM
Dave Henry is reporting again for the Sacramento Bee. His fall color reports have been pretty much on the money in previous years (2002- 2006). He had dropped out for a couple of years or at least I did not see his reports on line. http://www.sacbee.com/leaves
Capture the Scene of the Light
Inge Fernau
SF Bay Area, California
I just spent 5 days up in the Whites, and a little time around Bishop. Conditions were BRUTAL, clear and hot, not a cloud in sight. Most locations, including Cottonwood Basin, were early except for the groves at the top of Silver Canyon which were nicely yellow. Since I rarely make images in full glaring sun, I returned with no decent results. It was simply the wrong week. I think you guys will do better next weekend. However, I have photographed the eastern side for so long, that I'm not driving back up next week, and going to western North Carolina next month for a real change, and colors other than yellow!
Jeffrey, your report here gives me recall to what I went through last year. I was too early and it was hot too. As I was leaving things were improving for those who timed it better overall. Your upcoming trip to NC sounds like it should net some very different looks from what we are accustom to seeing. Enjoy the outing.
Hey, folks; big changes coming to the NorCal Wx this week. A cold front will begin moving in Monday. Light snow is forecast for Tioga and Sonora Passes on Tuesday/Tuesday Eve. Temperatures will be well below normal, with lows on Tue and Wed in the mid 20's to low 30's in Lee Vining. It is forcast to be very breezy, with higher gusts on the ridges and canyons. It will still be cool on Thursday, then a warmup on Friday. Another trough, with colder temps may usher more colder Wx in on the weekend of 10/3-10/4.
Hopefully, this cold snap and associated moisture will 'pop' the color.
-P
Posted by Derek Sedillo on September 27, 2009 at 4:32 PM
Yeah Preseton,
Things are definately get interesting. Hopefully the wind won't wipe out all the leaves. However on the flip side my best Fall Colors have been during or right after some bad weather.
Derek
Posted by Paul Duval on September 27, 2009 at 10:43 PM
I'm sitting here at the computer after the long slog through the Owens Valley on My scout the weekend before the meet and greet. Saturday morning I drove up to North Lake and Sabrina. I'm going to post a separate thread with a few photos. It was hot during the day but cooled off nicely at night to the mid 50's. This was at Aberdeen. Saturday afternoon I drove from Aberdeen to Bridgeport, through the June Lake Loop and with two side trips one up Lundy Canyon and one up Green Creek Rd.
Owens Valley Floor Cottonwoods are just starting to turn especially around Lone Pine. Also the yellow flowering bush which I guess is rabbit bush is in full bloom frmo one end of the valley to the other.
Elevation 6,000 to 7,000 feet very little turn 7,000 feet to 8,000 small aspens have turned larger ones have not started.
7,000 feet plus Good color but not all aspens turned yet. So in Aspendell there was very little color and good color at North lake and Sabrina. Talked to another photog who had spent Friday on South Fork and said the color was good up high.
Convict Lake showed very little color.
On the June Lake Loop there was color up above, but scattered along the lakes.
Lundy Canyon was very nice past the lake, there are even beaver in the creek and so there were marshy areas created by their dam. In one spot there were two lodges. Good color around the trail head.
Green Creek rd which is close to Bridgeport, was a long ride down a gravel road but passable for normal passenger cars, with decent ground clearance. On Green Creek I drove through a couple of Aspen tunnels surrounded by color, but it's not a peak yet except above 8,000. One note that is disappointing there is scattered brown spotting on some of the turned aspens leaves. While not noticed from a distance, close up it's pretty awful looking.
Posted by Cory Freeman on September 30, 2009 at 10:11 AM
I was up bishop canyon yesterday afternoon. It started snowing lightly around 4pm above 8700' or so and sticking above 10K. Storm was quick and broke up around sunset. Most of the snow which fell on peaks above bishop is gone now early am. Colors above 8500' or so on both the south lake and sabrina side have peaked for the most part with many showing black/brown spots. Many have also started shedding their leaves due to wind and gravity. Though it is past peak there are still many trees w/ peak colors to shoot and the trees below 8500' or so are still very green and starting to turn light green w/ isolated yellow leaves. It Wasn't too bad for wind, some gusts above 20-30 w/ breezy conditions. I imagine it was windier up there last night as it was windy all night in bishop. Supposed to be breezy today, gusts to 20mph, up canyon as well but not nearly like yesterday, There is a chance for snow on sat night/sunday.
i'm hoping the trees which haven't turned yet will do so by this weekend or next week as I have these days off. I'll be heading north soon to check on colors in the convict, June and Lee Vining area. Heading up bishop creek again this am to shoot a few things on the south fork side I saw late evening yesterday and then.....??
Unless you’re prepared to expect the unexpected, you’re likely to miss capturing nature’s finest moments (Galen Rowell)
Posted by Derek Sedillo on October 1, 2009 at 6:09 PM
Wow, it looks like the wind really did a number on a lot of those trees which had peaked in Bishop Creek Canyon earlier in the week. But it still sounds like there are others in some of the lower areas which have yet to turn. Hmm...
Where to shoot this weekend? Overall it still sounds like it has the most color right now.
Derek
Posted by Lon Overacker on October 1, 2009 at 6:46 PM
Nice report and image Inge - thanks for the update.
I just got a call from Preston last night, 9/30 and he says that it's still pretty much green in Lee Vining Canyon. In past years, things have also changed pretty fast and with this current cold front passing through, just the few days between now and Sunday will make a big difference.
Snow shows on Sunday??? Cool!
Where to shoot? Well, in general, just head for higher ground. If JLL is still green, hit McGee creek, upper Lundy or Virginia Lakes. Also, another alternative is just driving the back roads off the Parker bench (turn off 158 before Grant Lake (Parker/Walker lake turn offs).
Dunderberg and Green Lakes area are also higher and might be worth checking out.
There's always something!
Lon
Posted by Inge Fernau on October 1, 2009 at 7:05 PM
Snow on Sunday is going to put a wrench into my plans to meet you guys. I love snow and Aspen trees, but only if I can rent an SUV and that is not in my budget this year. Chains on my Corolla - don't think so - I never get them on by myself. So I am going to watch the weather reports closely to see if I have a chance in hell to make it for the meet-up.
Capture the Scene of the Light
Inge Fernau
SF Bay Area, California
Unless you’re prepared to expect the unexpected, you’re likely to miss capturing nature’s finest moments (Galen Rowell)
Posted by Inge Fernau on October 11, 2009 at 9:24 PM
For anyone who is still interested in Eastern Sierra Fall Colors:
JUNE LAKE LOOP: This one has promise. The shores along June Lake have yellow Aspen, but the rim has a lot of brown leaved trees. Shooting down from the beach is most likely best. All along the loop there are more and more yellow trees vs. lime green or green. Silver Lake picnic area and around the lake are more yellow than lime green. On close-up the yellow leaves have a lot of brown spots. Between Silver Lake and Grant Lake I saw 4 different stands of Aspen in bright yellow. Aerie Crag is also yellow and lime green. Along Grant Lake are groves in orange/brown, yellow, lime green, green and bare.
LEE VINING AREA: Looking down from Lee Vining to the creek trail (this trail starts in the town of Lee Vining), the Aspen are yellow. Just outside of town along US 395 are a couple of small groves turning yellow.
CONWAY SUMMIT: Has some yellow, but is mostly lime green or green with a few bare trees.
MONITOR PASS: The big grove east from top of the pass is yellow, lime green and bare as well. Other groves are still green and bare. The grove on top of the pass is yellow, lime green and bare. Driving west on hwy 89 before it intersects with hwy 4, I saw a few nice yellow Aspen stands.
HWY 89 to HWY 88: The East Carson River Valley has some really nice sections with very yellow trees.
HWY 88, HOPE VALLEY, CARSON PASS: The trees at Soresens’s Resort finally starting to turn, and the trees between here and Picket junction are either bare, lime green or yellow. On close-up the yellow leaves have brown spots. Other areas around Hope Valley are yellow, lime green, brown, bare and some have an orange tint (can’t tell from afar if is orange/brown). The trees by the cabins that had color last week are bare now. Up towards the Carson Pass the trees are lime green or bare. Hwy 88 western side is mostly green, lime green, yellow w/brown spots or bare.
There is hope for a 2nd fall season, as long as this next storm is not taking down what is left. I am working on my summery right now and will post it in a few days with images.
Capture the Scene of the Light
Inge Fernau
SF Bay Area, California
Discussion
33 repliesCory Freeman
Sierra Impressions
Bishopweather.com
Blog
-P
Correction Road is North of Mono Lake just past Lundy canyon.
In a nut shell, it's still very early here w/ a few rogue aspens turning(smaller ones). Pics are from sabrina & north lake sides as well as south lake side up to willow CG. Not much going on the south lake side either. I'll be going to Little Lakes Valley backpacking this weekend thur-sun so I'll have some pics from there to show you next week.
Cory Freeman
Sierra Impressions
Bishopweather.com
Blog
Rock Creek 9-12-09
http://www.bishopvisitor.com/activities/explorations.php3
That group of Aspens near Lake Sabrina looks especially nice.
Thanks to Cory for the earlier link.
Derek
Bishop Crk Drainage
Thanks for the post. Things are indeed starting to change fast in some parts of Bishop canyon. I was very surprised with the color in your South Lake side shots like this one: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sierra_impressions/3933210004/in/set-72157622282893737/
Things still look pretty green around North Lake which is good for those not coming out for at least a couple of weeks. But man it sure must be nice to live over there and watch the whole thing progress and then peak.
Derek
This sure seems to be a dramatic switch from last year. I know I was up there too soon last year and this year almost seems like it will be a bit late. I guess that's why one needs to live in the eastern area, right Cory!
Hope to see you up there on the 4th if you are able to make it.
I'll have a report next Sunday for the prior weekend as if you fall color hounds aren't salivating enough already. My wife is draggin' me ( right) to our cabin at Aberdeen 30 miles south of Bishop, and where I'll be staying the weekend of the gathering. It's in striking distance of Big Pine Creek South and North fork of Bishop creek Pine creek, Rock reek.Convict lake ad infinitum, any requests for scouting info?
Paul
"Broaden your horizons it gives you many more directions to go." Me
I would love to hear more about the Fall colors at lower elevations like the Owens River near Pig Pine. While most folks head for the hills it seems like there is a 'ton of potential' with the Owens River and those 13ers and 14ers in the background. I may start a new thread on this topic as well.
Derek
Things appear to be coming along nicely.
Derek
Paul.
Most of the small Aspens when driving down the steep part of the Tioga Pass have turned already.
Lee Vining Canyon, still green/lime green. Barely a few Aspen started to show color.
The Parker Bench as seen from US 395 has one patch of orange and the rest still looks green.
Bishop Creek Canyon:
Up to Aspendell, mostly lime green with the mountain sides above Intake II looking yellow with a little green. The big grove behind Aspendell has the smaller Aspen looking mostly yellow/orange with a few green trees; the taller Aspens are still green. From here all the way up to Lake Sabrina, 60% of the Aspen are yellow, orange and some red. The rest is still green. Here is some bad news; I did see some trees with brown leaves already mixed in (by the small bridge past the Sabrina campground). Lake Sabrina is about 75% turned. The sun lit up the trees in sparkling yellow and orange. Some green ones still on the slopes. In my opinion the colors at the lake approach peak fast.
The Aspens along the North Lake Road are about 50/50. With yellow, orange and red colors. The “tree tunnel” has one side green, the other side yellow. The big Aspen grove behind the lake is about half yellow with some orange and half green. The slopes up the mountain are mostly a reddish orange with some green. Some of the Aspen close to the outlet by the lake are already red and some trees have brown leaves and don’t look very good. The colors by the first day use parking lot are, in my opinion, at peak.
The South Lake Road from the Forks campground to the Mountain Glenn campground is mostly green with a hint of yellow here and there. Between this campground and Parchers Resort the color is coming in nicely and the Aspen trees are about 60% turned. Lots of yellow and orange, however the trees around the Table Mountain group camp are still mostly green. The slopes in this area have brilliant colors already, especially the small Aspen shrubs. There is still green in this section. 75% of the Aspens between Parchers and the South Lake parking lot are yellow and orange.
Rock Creek Lake Road between US 395 and the snow park area are mostly green with a few colors along the slopes. Starting at the snow park area the color is yellow, red and some green about 50/50. From the Pack Station to the Mosquito Flat trailhead parking the color is at 80%. A lot of the trees are already yellow, with some orange and red. Some of the trees have lost their leaves or have brown leaves mixed into them.
I posted images on flickr here:
September 23, 2009 Photos
Inge Fernau
Website – http://www.magicalglow.com
Facebook – Magical Glow Photography
Twitter - Inge Fernau
Blog - Journal of my travels for the perfect photo
And BTW I must say your Blog has inspired me along with the beautiful photos you have taken of the Fall colors over the years. After moving here from CO I really was missing Fall colors. But after seeing your work I knew there was hope on the east side of the state.
Thanks for inspiring!
Derek
The weather is changing drastically on wed w/ a forcasted 20 degree drop in temps and a healthy side order of wind. If the wind materializes as they predict we'll likely lose a bunch of leaves in bishop crk drainage that are at peak. The good thing though is many trees in aspedell and lower are still green so we'll have to see what happens.
Thanks for the report Inge. That's an insane day trip!
Cory Freeman
Sierra Impressions
Bishopweather.com
Blog
http://www.sacbee.com/leaves
Capture the Scene of the Light
Inge Fernau
SF Bay Area, California
Website – http://www.magicalglow.com
Facebook – Magical Glow Photography
Twitter - Inge Fernau
Blog - Journal of my travels for the perfect photo
Unless you’re prepared to expect the unexpected, you’re likely to miss capturing nature’s finest moments (Galen Rowell)
Hey, folks; big changes coming to the NorCal Wx this week. A cold front will begin moving in Monday. Light snow is forecast for Tioga and Sonora Passes on Tuesday/Tuesday Eve. Temperatures will be well below normal, with lows on Tue and Wed in the mid 20's to low 30's in Lee Vining. It is forcast to be very breezy, with higher gusts on the ridges and canyons. It will still be cool on Thursday, then a warmup on Friday. Another trough, with colder temps may usher more colder Wx in on the weekend of 10/3-10/4.
Hopefully, this cold snap and associated moisture will 'pop' the color.
-P
Things are definately get interesting. Hopefully the wind won't wipe out all the leaves. However on the flip side my best Fall Colors have been during or right after some bad weather.
Derek
Owens Valley Floor Cottonwoods are just starting to turn especially around Lone Pine. Also the yellow flowering bush which I guess is rabbit bush is in full bloom frmo one end of the valley to the other.
Elevation 6,000 to 7,000 feet very little turn 7,000 feet to 8,000 small aspens have turned larger ones have not started.
7,000 feet plus Good color but not all aspens turned yet. So in Aspendell there was very little color and good color at North lake and Sabrina. Talked to another photog who had spent Friday on South Fork and said the color was good up high.
Convict Lake showed very little color.
On the June Lake Loop there was color up above, but scattered along the lakes.
Lundy Canyon was very nice past the lake, there are even beaver in the creek and so there were marshy areas created by their dam. In one spot there were two lodges. Good color around the trail head.
Green Creek rd which is close to Bridgeport, was a long ride down a gravel road but passable for normal passenger cars, with decent ground clearance. On Green Creek I drove through a couple of Aspen tunnels surrounded by color, but it's not a peak yet except above 8,000. One note that is disappointing there is scattered brown spotting on some of the turned aspens leaves. While not noticed from a distance, close up it's pretty awful looking.
i'm hoping the trees which haven't turned yet will do so by this weekend or next week as I have these days off. I'll be heading north soon to check on colors in the convict, June and Lee Vining area. Heading up bishop creek again this am to shoot a few things on the south fork side I saw late evening yesterday and then.....??
Cory Freeman
Sierra Impressions
Bishopweather.com
Blog
September 29&30, 2009 Report with Photos
Capture the Scene of the Light
Inge Fernau
SF Bay Area, California
Website – http://www.magicalglow.com
Facebook – Magical Glow Photography
Twitter - Inge Fernau
Blog - Journal of my travels for the perfect photo
Unless you’re prepared to expect the unexpected, you’re likely to miss capturing nature’s finest moments (Galen Rowell)
Where to shoot this weekend? Overall it still sounds like it has the most color right now.
Derek
I just got a call from Preston last night, 9/30 and he says that it's still pretty much green in Lee Vining Canyon. In past years, things have also changed pretty fast and with this current cold front passing through, just the few days between now and Sunday will make a big difference.
Snow shows on Sunday??? Cool!
Where to shoot? Well, in general, just head for higher ground. If JLL is still green, hit McGee creek, upper Lundy or Virginia Lakes. Also, another alternative is just driving the back roads off the Parker bench (turn off 158 before Grant Lake (Parker/Walker lake turn offs).
Dunderberg and Green Lakes area are also higher and might be worth checking out.
There's always something!
Lon
Capture the Scene of the Light
Inge Fernau
SF Bay Area, California
Website – http://www.magicalglow.com
Facebook – Magical Glow Photography
Twitter - Inge Fernau
Blog - Journal of my travels for the perfect photo
Unless you’re prepared to expect the unexpected, you’re likely to miss capturing nature’s finest moments (Galen Rowell)
JUNE LAKE LOOP: This one has promise. The shores along June Lake have yellow Aspen, but the rim has a lot of brown leaved trees. Shooting down from the beach is most likely best. All along the loop there are more and more yellow trees vs. lime green or green. Silver Lake picnic area and around the lake are more yellow than lime green. On close-up the yellow leaves have a lot of brown spots. Between Silver Lake and Grant Lake I saw 4 different stands of Aspen in bright yellow. Aerie Crag is also yellow and lime green. Along Grant Lake are groves in orange/brown, yellow, lime green, green and bare.
LEE VINING AREA: Looking down from Lee Vining to the creek trail (this trail starts in the town of Lee Vining), the Aspen are yellow. Just outside of town along US 395 are a couple of small groves turning yellow.
CONWAY SUMMIT: Has some yellow, but is mostly lime green or green with a few bare trees.
MONITOR PASS: The big grove east from top of the pass is yellow, lime green and bare as well. Other groves are still green and bare. The grove on top of the pass is yellow, lime green and bare. Driving west on hwy 89 before it intersects with hwy 4, I saw a few nice yellow Aspen stands.
HWY 89 to HWY 88: The East Carson River Valley has some really nice sections with very yellow trees.
HWY 88, HOPE VALLEY, CARSON PASS: The trees at Soresens’s Resort finally starting to turn, and the trees between here and Picket junction are either bare, lime green or yellow. On close-up the yellow leaves have brown spots. Other areas around Hope Valley are yellow, lime green, brown, bare and some have an orange tint (can’t tell from afar if is orange/brown). The trees by the cabins that had color last week are bare now. Up towards the Carson Pass the trees are lime green or bare. Hwy 88 western side is mostly green, lime green, yellow w/brown spots or bare.
There is hope for a 2nd fall season, as long as this next storm is not taking down what is left. I am working on my summery right now and will post it in a few days with images.
Capture the Scene of the Light
Inge Fernau
SF Bay Area, California
Website – http://www.magicalglow.com
Facebook – Magical Glow Photography
Twitter - Inge Fernau
Blog - Journal of my travels for the perfect photo
Unless you’re prepared to expect the unexpected, you’re likely to miss capturing nature’s finest moments (Galen Rowell)