Fall has arrived here in California! This is the time for cozy fires and early nights in, as the days get shorter and the leaves decay. Before it goes too fast, I want to slow down a bit and enjoy fall here in the Eastern Sierra.
Bishop Canyon ~ Honorable Mention
I was on a walk with my beloved pup Mowgli the other day when I noticed it. We strolled through the tall grasses as we followed Mammoth Creek through the Snowcreek Meadow, noticing the rapidly changing aspens along Mammoth Creek. The fall colors were already at our doorstep! So, I want to share my favorite 5 spots to check out the leaves changing in Mono County, although I am including an honorable mention in Inyo County, which I have still yet to visit during this magical time of the year! While there are already great guides out by Mono County and Bishop, I wanted to chime in with my favorites. All of these locations are pretty accessible and close to the Mammoth Lakes area. Some do have options for more strenuous hikes, but for the most part, even the trailhead and parking areas put on quite a show from late September into October.
Sage Hen Meadows
Honestly, one of my favorite spots is one I just discovered last year. This gorgeous stretch of Mono County backcountry offers views of pristine fall foliage for miles. It can be found along Sage Hen Meadows Road, an unpaved fire road that is in decent condition off Highway 120. The road rises up out of the dusty Mono basin, flanked by aspens on both sides. Even the drive up offers stellar views of the aspens dripping over the road, sparkling red and gold as the leaves gently dance in the breeze.
The peak is at around 9,500 feet, so you also get a commanding view of Mono Lake in the distance. Just below the summit is a small parking lot, where photographers and sight seers gather for the impressive fall show. Sage Hen is one of the first spots to turn in the Eastern Sierra, so it is advisable to go earlier in the season to ensure you don’t miss the spectacle. If you want those buttery golden hour shots, there is also a dispersed camping area nearby so you can wake up early and stay out till sunset, without worries of driving back into town.
Convict Lake
Just south of Mammoth Lakes is one of the most impressive glacial lakes in the Sierra with stellar views all year round. Convict Lake actually has a pretty morbid history, rooted in the violence of the Wild West. Escaped convicts fleeing Carson City sought shelter from the incoming winter in the fall of 1871. Despite a good hold out, they were eventually spotted, and a deadly shoot out ensued. Convict Lake is definitely a land of contrasts, with its eruptive glacial history and bloody human past juxtaposed with its pristine alpine beauty--especially in the fall.
Today it is a year-round destination for fisherman, hikers, and nature lovers. It is just a few miles off the 395 with a few parking lots near that marina. It’s surprising deep, up to 140 feet in some spots, which makes it great for fishing—but that’s a story for another post. There are both camping sites and a more luxurious lodge, with an impressive restaurant.
Driving towards the lake, you are hit with stunning views of the changing aspens dotted across the landscape. But I must admit, the best spot for leaf lurking is at the back of Convict. The loop trail is about 2.5 miles around the lake, pretty flat and easy—taking about an hour to complete. The northern side lacks shade trees, however, so a full loop may not be advisable in the heat of the day. At the back of the lake, the trail turns into an adorable boardwalk through the aspens. It makes for a lovely stroll, as the leaves flutter lightly in the wind. Mowgli especially enjoys this area because it is typically where I let him swim a bit, a little cool off in preparation for the hike back.
Rock Creek Canyon
The Rock Creek canyon and lake area is another gem not just during fall colors—but also year-round. It sits about 13 miles south of Mammoth Lakes, just at the exit off the 395 for Tom’s Place—a quaint little lodge and campground, along with a diner with exceptional margaritas! Make sure to see JoJo, world famous bartender extraordinaire!
Heading back through the canyon to Rock Creek, make sure to drive slowly. There are over 50 streams and small bodies of water in this drainage area, so you will want to stop a million times to soak in the views. On the way up towards the lake, my favorite places to stop are the small campgrounds that sit nestled in the canyon. If I were to choose one, I’d say East Fork is my favorite, with impressive views of the aspens and a gorgeous meadow area surrounding the creek.
Next, head further down the road to Rock Creek Lake. There are a few campsites in this area, but to be advised, you can’t camp right next to your vehicle at Rock Creek Lake Campground. Also in this area is Rock Creek Trailhead, a small and easy hike around the lake. If you want more of a panoramic vista for your fall foliage, head back up towards the main road and stop at the Hilton Lakes trailhead. Now, this hike is actually several miles, but you can just do a small portion of it. The beginning has you strolling directly through the aspen grove, with an aerial view of Rock Creek Lake in the distance. It is absolutely spectacular!
McGee Creek
McGee Creek sits west of the 395, right across from Crowley Lake. That’s about 8 miles south of the town of Mammoth Lakes. Take the exit for McGee Creek, where there is a pack station and a quaint little campground and RV park. McGee Creek Road climbs up into the canyon, eventually dropping back down to follow the creek. The area is gorgeous year-round, with tons of wild flowers in the spring, with the aspens along the creek exploding in bright fall colors.
The hike itself is really strenuous. It is 11.6 miles to Steelhead Lake and a whopping 13.6 to Big McGee Lake. In fact, I’ve never done it all the way through. When I went in May of 2022, the water was flowing too much to actually make it to the lakes. But to see the aspens, you can just walk the beginning of the trail, stopping to pop in and out of the small enclaves surrounding the creek.
Rush Creek
Rush Creek is further north on Highway 158, halfway through June Lake Loop. Make sure to stop at June Lake Brewery for a cold beverage, it’s one of my favorite breweries up in the Sierra. I enjoy sitting at Silver Lake to imbibe and have a snack before heading to the best part of the creek between Silver and Grant.
Rush Creek is known for its fishing, with tons of brown trout waiting for a fight. The creek runs nearly 30 miles and feeds into the pristine lakes in this drainage area, including June, Gull, Silver, and Grant lakes. Rush Creek is known for its world-class fly sighing, with tons of brown trout waiting for a fight. All along the creek are small waterfalls and dams, which were pumping the last time I visited in early summer.
There is a 4.2 mile trail that flanks the creek to Horsetail Falls and Agnew Lake, but I admit I have yet to try it. I really need to step my hiking game up in the June Lake area! Still, you can get some great shots just driving along the creek, stopping at the small waterfalls and dam systems that make it so engaging.
Bishop Creek Canyon ~ Honorable Mention
While this is technically in Inyo County and about 40 miles from Mammoth Lakes, it is still worth a mention. The creek flows across of miles, draining snowmelt from the high country of the Bishop Pass. From Bishop, swing a right onto Line Street. It’s 14 miles to South Lake Road, then another 9 miles of driving to the South Fork trailhead. South Lake is about 15 miles out of Bishop, with plenty of opportunities for picture stops along the way. Keep following the road to eventually hit North Lake.
I have also been to South Fork, a split in the creek that offers impressive fall foliage viewing, but not during this season. My photographer father, who contributed several striking photos used in this post, made me promise I would put an honorable mention here just because of how gorgeous this area is in full fall colors. Check out his website here to order prints of the pictures used here! So, these spots are definitely on my bucket list for my fall adventures next year.
Anyways, thanks for reading—I always appreciate the support! Happy Fall everyone!
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