Here’s a collection of spots in the Sierra Mountains I have visited up and down the 395 hwy in the last few years. The Fall foliage in the Eastern Sierra mountains typically peaks in October so check it out soon before the colors are all gone!
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McGee Creek – Mammoth Lakes, CA
Date visited: Oct 18-19, 2019 & Oct 18, 2021
Fall foliage status: peaking
Trail recommendation: McGee Creek Trail – in the first mile alone, there were a ton of colors along the creek, on trail, and in the mountains! You don’t have to hike very far to get the beautiful IG-worthy Fall colors photos and it’s an easy, flat trail.
*Bonus* McGee Creek Campground is full of colors when I went! The campground itself is closed now but it may still be worth checking out for Fall photos. It’s also right by a creek 😉
Rock Creek Canyon/ Lake – Mammoth Lakes, CA
Date visited: Oct 18, 2019
Fall foliage status: past peak but still worth driving up to Big Meadow Campground
Where to go: this is one of the first areas to peak in the Fall season and I’d recommend going earlier in the Fall season. I went last year on the last weekend of Sept 2018 and the fall foliage was peaking.
This year, I went mid-Oct and there were zero colors up by Rock Creek Lake but there were some colors closer to the beginning-middle half of Rock Creek Road… still a lot of colors around Big Meadow Campground last weekend!
June Lake – Mammoth Lakes, CA
Date visited: Oct 18, 2019
Fall foliage status: not much colors
Where to go: drive through the entire June Lake loop. There are some colors further back in the mountains near Rush Creek and Silver Lake, and along the road (158) near Grant Lake but we just drove around.
Mt Whitney Trail – Lone Pine, CA
Date visited: Oct 16-17, 2019
Fall foliage status: peaking only in certain areas
Where to go: within the first mile of the Mt Whitney Trail and only the first mile, there’s still some surprise burst of colors! You can hike this section up to Lone Pine Lake without Mt Whitney permits!
Lake Sabrina – Bishop, CA
Date visited: Oct 6, 2019
Fall foliage status: peaking (when I went)
Where to go: Hike Sabrina Lake Trail – at only 5-10 minutes, you’ll get a beautiful view of Sabrina Lake and all the Fall foliage surrounding it! I hear the colors were still there last weekend so it’s probably worth checking out still.
*Bonus* the road to South Lake (S Lake Rd) was one of the prettiest I’ve seen this season. It was full of colors throughout the entire road with many pullouts for photo opportunities – just be careful with cars!
Lundy Canyon – Bridgeport, CA
Date visited: Oct 5, 2019
Fall foliage status: supposedly peak but I’m not sure
Where to go: Hike Lundy Canyon Trail – there was only a small section of the trail that was peaking when I went earlier this month and the canyon had colors dispersed a bit higher. This small section on the trail was only maybe 1-2 miles in and full of golden Aspen trees with a half-frozen waterfall at the end which makes the trail alone worth checking out.
I hear Lundy Lake was lit up with colors last weekend so it might be worth checking out still. The lake you can drive right up to, you can hike a little further down the road at Lundy Canyon Trailhead.
Conway Summit – Bridgeport, CA
Date Visited: Oct 16, 2022
Fall foliage status: I just went 10/7/23 and it’s starting to change but still too early. Mid-October seems to be a good time
Where to go: You can pull over on the shoulder of the 395 hwy at Conway Summit
Green Lake Trail – Bridgeport, CA
Date Visited: Oct 4, 2020
Fall foliage status: The fall colors were just starting to change. Mid-October may be a better time to visit Bridgeport for Fall colors. But this is a beautiful and easy hike to a pretty lake.
Other Places to See Fall Colors in Eastern Sierra Mountains
Other places I’ve visited in the past that are worth checking out during the season (just not sure about current status) are Big Pine Lakes, South Lake Trail in Bishop, Convict Lake, and Rae Lakes Loop on the west side of the Sierra in Sequoia.
For the most updated Fall color conditions in the Eastern Sierra, visit Mono County’s tourism page here 🙂
FAQ about Sierra Fall Colors in California
What are the fall colors in the Sierra Mountains?
There are several types of trees in the Eastern Sierra Mountains that change colors, mostly to yellow, orange, and shades of gold in between. We do not have the beautiful red leaves that is commonly seen on the East Coast unfortunately Some of the prominent tree species that undergo beautiful transformations in their foliage include:
- Aspen Trees: Aspen trees are renowned for their vibrant yellow and golden leaves during the fall season. They often create stunning groves of shimmering gold in the Eastern Sierra Mountains.
- Cottonwood Trees: Cottonwoods display bright yellow leaves in the fall, adding to the colorful palette of the region.
- Willow Trees: Willows also turn yellow and contribute to the fall colors, often found along streams and rivers in the area.
- Quaking Aspen: A specific subspecies of aspen known as the “Quaking Aspen” is prevalent in the Eastern Sierra Mountains and is particularly known for its autumn display.
- Black Oak Trees: Black oak trees are another species that can be found in the region and contribute to the fall display with their deep orange and red leaves.
These trees collectively create a picturesque and diverse display of fall colors in the Eastern Sierra Mountains, making it a must-visit destination for fall foliage enthusiasts like yourself.
When can you see fall colors in Eastern Sierras?
The fall colors in the Sierra Nevada Mountains start changing as early as mid-September in certain areas and last until November, but the colors typically peak around mid-October. October is the best time to visit Mammoth Lakes, Bridgeport, and Bishop for fall foliage.
Does Mammoth Have Fall Colors?
Yes, there are fall colors in the Mammoth Lakes Basin but also in the valleys and gorges around Mammoth such as McGee Creek and Rock Creek.
Thanks for reading!
I’d love to hear your thoughts. Please leave questions, comments and suggestions in the comments section below
& DON’T FORGET TO PRACTICE LEAVE NO TRACE
Tiff, the owner and author of Follow Tiff’s Journey, is a California/ Colorado-based adventurer and outdoor connoisseur who divides her heart between the Eastern Sierra Mountains and the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Despite her fear of heights, she’s become a seasoned mountaineer, ultralight hiking and backcountry camping enthusiast, expert road trip planner, and a fervent explorer of alpine lakes, natural hot springs, and sandstone canyons.
With 10 years of experience exploring the outdoors, her blog is your go-to source for all things wilderness, offering invaluable insights and pro tips, essential gear recommendations, and awe-inspiring stories from her adventures.
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Well done! I really appreciate your blog and post. I am injured right now and couldn’t go on my Sierra cross county – Crescent Meadows to Mt Whitney. I like to go off trail like ”Pants Pass” and other cross county pathways, so it was a bummer, but comforting to see and read of the wilderness I missed. Thank you, Lovely, I send mirthful chi. #earthcompanion #packitinpackitout
Hi thanks for the kinds words and sorry to hear about your injury but remember, the mountains will always be there. I’ve always wanted to try cross country trails but get nervous to forge my own path, would appreciate any tips!
I just saved all of these hikes!!!
Yay! Got to get a head start for Fall 2020 but there’s still some time if you want to catch the colors this season. Enjoy 🙂