Eastern Sierra Fall Color Report **CURRENT CONDITIONS** (October 2nd-3rd)
Hi friends! Fall is well underway in California’s Eastern Sierra. Even though it’s only the first week of October, many of the best spots to see fall colors are already peaking. Over the last two days, I’ve been traveling all along Highway 395 chasing the fall foliage, and below you’ll find my fall color report for this first week in October. If you’re planning on an Eastern Sierra road trip this weekend or in the near future, this real-time update will help you plan your autumn adventure in Bishop Creek Canyon and Mono County. Everything reported on below, including all photographs, are from 10/2-10/3 in 2024.
FALL COLOR REPORT
• Locations: North Lake, Lake Sabrina, Sabrina Basin, Aspendell, Intake Two, South Fork Bishop Creek, Mist Falls, Convict Lake, Sagehen Summit, Conway Summit, Virginia Lakes
• Date: October 2-3, 2024
• Leaf Color Transition: 50-100%
Fall colors peaking at North Lake - sunrise on 10/2/24
Bishop Creek Canyon
North Lake
Leaf Color Transition: 100% - GO NOW!
North Lake is absolutely stunning right now. The colors have fully transitioned into a mix of vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows. This is a peak moment for North Lake, so if you want to see it in all its autumn glory, now is the time to go.
Lake Sabrina fall colors from 10/2/24
Lake Sabrina
Leaf Color Transition: 100% - GO NOW!
Lake Sabrina is at its peak, with the hillsides glowing in rich oranges and golds. The aspen trees around the parking area are bright yellow with some patches of lime green hanging on. The area won’t stay like this for long, so head up soon before it starts fading.
Fall colors at Middle Fork Bishop Creek in Sabrina Basin - 10/2/24
Sabrina Basin (Middle Fork Bishop Creek)
Leaf Color Transition: 80-100% - GO SOON/GO NOW!
Most of Middle Fork Bishop Creek in the Sabrina Basin is a vibrant display of fall colors, making this a "go soon" or "go now" location. You'll see plenty of yellow and orange with a few lime green pockets. Next week is likely the last chance to catch it in full peak condition.
Aspendell & Cardinal Village fall colors - 10/2/24
Aspendell & Cardinal Village
Leaf Color Transition: 50%
Aspendell and Cardinal Village are a bit more uneven in terms of color. The southern part of the valley, at a higher elevation, is showing reds and some trees have already passed peak. Lower down, you’ll find a mix of yellow, lime green, and darker green. This area still has a bit more time before it reaches peak.
Fall colors along Intake Two from 10/2/24
Intake Two
Leaf Color Transition: 50-75%
The colors at Intake Two are well on their way. The hills above the lake are covered in vibrant yellows and oranges, and around the lake itself, it's about a 50/50 mix of green and yellow. If you’re in the area, it’s worth a visit soon as the colors continue to turn.
Fall colors along South Fork Bishop Creek - 10/2/24
South Fork Bishop Creek Area
Leaf Color Transition: 75-100% - GO SOON/GO NOW!
South Fork Bishop Creek is close to peak, with much of the area glowing in fall colors. The drive up South Lake Road gets more vibrant the closer you get to South Lake, with bright yellows and oranges in abundance. There's still some green near the start of the drive, but overall, this area is a "go soon" or even "go now" destination.
Fall colors around Mist Falls along South Lake Road - 10/2/24
Mist Falls
Leaf Color Transition: 50-75%
Mist Falls (aka Misty Falls according to some sites) is currently surrounded by a mix of lime green and yellow aspen trees, and more green remains by the creek below the falls. Over the next week, there will likely be spots here that are past peak, along with much of the area nearing peak with a sea of golden hues. Although not at full force, the waterfall is still beautiful and living up to its name.
Fall colors around Convict Lake - Sunrise on 10/3/24
My Photography Gear
I get so many questions about what equipment we use on our adventures, so below I’ve listed out our most used photo gear 😊
If you make a purchase through these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps offset the cost of running this site so we can continue to provide you with free content.
Kayaking on Convict Lake in Autumn - 10/3/24
Mono County
Convict Lake
Leaf Color Transition: 25-50%
Convict Lake is starting to show its fall colors, with yellow aspens trickling down the far mountainsides and along the far shore of the lake. The campground and road leading up to the lake are still mostly green, but there are spots of yellow breaking through, especially along the shoreline.
Sagehen Summit fall colors - 10/2/24
Sagehen Summit fall colors - past peak at the summit on 10/2/24
Sagehen Summit
Leaf Color Transition: 100%-Past Peak - GO NOW!
The drive up to Sagehen Summit is stunning, with the hillsides blanketed in gold and yellow aspen, as well as spectacular views of Mono Lake & Basin. However, the summit itself has mostly passed its peak, with brown leaves and barren branches now dominating with some pops of gold holding on. It’s still worth the visit, but go now before it fades completely.
Travel Notes: The 4-mile drive up to the summit is all dirt and gravel. It’s well kept, but several areas are soft. Although it may be suitable for sedans, I’d recommend a high clearance vehicle. Also, keep your eyes pealed for wild horses all along the drive!
Conway Summit fall colors seen from Highway 395 - 10/3/24
Conway Summit
Leaf Color Transition: 50%
Conway Summit is a beautiful mix of colors right now, with spots of yellow, orange, and lime green. While the colors are uneven, it’s still a fantastic area to visit, and it will likely remain colorful over the next week or two as more trees turn.
Virginia Lakes Road in between the resort and Big Virginia Lake - 10/3/24
Fall colors near Big Virginia Lake parking lot - 10/3/24
Virginia Lakes
Leaf Color Transition: 100%-Past Peak - GO NOW!
Virginia Lakes has largely passed peak, especially around the lakes themselves. The drive up offers a mix of greens, yellows, and patches of past-peak trees. Around Virginia Lakes Resort, most of the aspens are brown or bare, though Big Virginia Lake still has a few bright pops of yellow and orange left—visit soon, as these likely won’t last much longer.
Big Virginia Lake fall colors - 10/3/24
Know Before You Go
• Current Conditions: Fall foliage in the Eastern Sierra can vary depending on temperatures, precipitation & wind, so keep an eye on local weather reports for real-time updates.
• Best Viewing Times: The Bishop Creek Canyon area generally peaks between late September and mid-October (the earlier the cold temperatures arrive the earlier the colors develop and vice-versa). Mono County generally peaks between early to mid-October, with some higher elevations peaking in late September (like Rock Creek Lake). Also keep in mind that the sun will set earlier than you expect due to the high mountain peaks to the west.
• What to Pack: Temperatures can drop quickly, especially in the evenings, so dress in layers. Don’t forget your camera—this year’s Fall foliage promises to be breathtaking (and consider staying late to enjoy stunning starry night skies with golden Fall colors)!
• Photography Notes: When viewing the colors, the angle and time of day really matters. Sunrise tends to be an incredible time to see the vibrant leaves. North Lake is best photographed with a tripod before sunrise, prior to the sun hitting the hillside. Once the sun is up, try to picture the leaves when backlit by the sun. This shows the most vibrant rich hues...whereas direct sunlight can actually make the fall colors look a bit more dull and muted.
Vibrant fall colors at North Lake from 10/2/24
In Summary
Thanks so much for joining me this week in the Eastern Sierra. For a virtual visit of my Fall Color Report, make sure to watch my Behind the Blog video located at the top of this post, or watch it on YouTube here. Until next time, I hope you find adventure and encouragement wherever you go.
Wild horse crossing the road on the way to Sagehen Summit
If you enjoyed this post, you might also like…
About Me
I’m Dawn Marie, a travel and lifestyle blogger based out of Southern California. With in-depth articles, travel guides, and reviews on hotels & products, I seek to share my journeys to help you plan for your own. My adventures take me all over California, the western United States, and around the globe...and every Monday I post new content here, including a comprehensive blog post and YouTube video.
Search the Blog
Featured Posts
Etsy Shop
Looking for the best spot to camp & kayak in the Eastern SIerra Nevada Mountains? Join me today as I share my complete travel guide to a camping & kayaking adventure at Convict Lake in the Inyo National Forest. Located in between Mammoth Lakes and Bishop along HIghway 395, this alpine lake is perfect for photography, fishing, boating, and camping, especially during autumn with the fall colors.