The Best Fall Color Hikes In the Eastern Sierra
A lot of people think we just don’t get good fall colors in California, but they couldn’t be more wrong- you just have to know where to go. The Eastern Sierra is one of my favorite places to visit in the fall. With cooler temperatures, beautiful gold aspen trees, tons of alpine lakes to explore, and warm hot springs to soak in, visiting the Eastern Sierra during the fall should be on your bucket list! You’ll find stunning fall color along HWY395 near the towns of Bishop, Mammoth Lakes, June Lake, Lee Vining, and Bridgeport. In this blog I share my favorite hikes, scenic drives, and must stop spots for fall color!
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When to Visit:
Fall is one of those seasons that doesn’t seem to last very long, and the timing of fall colors can vary a little each year depending on the evening temperatures. Fall color in the Eastern Sierra usually arrives around mid-September and lasts through mid-October. I’ve had a lot of luck visiting the area the first and second week of October. The further North or higher in elevation you go, the earlier you generally need to be there to see fall color (usually no later than the first week of October).
You can check current conditions for fall colors via the Bishop Visitor Center here and via the Mono County Tourism site here!
Weather & What to Wear:
Layers are very important for your fall color trip because the weather can vary greatly. Some years I’ve worn shorts and a tank top, and others I’ve worn fleece leggings and a puffy! During the day the highs are usually in the 50’s to 60’s, and at night the lows can be in the 30’s or even 20’s. It’s also good to be prepared for rain and the potential of a snow storm!
A lot of the best fall color is at higher elevation so it’s important to check the weather at the correct elevation (a few thousand feet difference can drastically change the temperatures!). The town of Mammoth Lakes is at almost 8,000 ft elevation, while Bishop sits at about 4,000 ft. However, Sabrina Lake (one of my favorites near Bishop) is at around 9,000 ft. Here are my favorite reliable sites for checking the weather: Mammoth Lakes, Bishop,
Check out some of my favorite fall hiking outfits here.
Fall Color Hikes in the Bishop Area:
Bishop Creek Canyon:
Otherwise known as Hwy 168, this is the best place near Bishop to see fall colors. All of the destinations below are part of Bishop Creek Canyon. It’s worth spending a full day exploring this area to do the scenic fall drives and stop at the different lakes. There’s fall color all along bishop creek.
Lake Sabrina:
The color at Lake Sabrina is phenomenal. This is another fall color destination that doesn’t require much hiking. It is worth it to jump on the trail to get different views of the color and lake. If you’re looking to continue the adventure, I also recommend checking out the Blue Lakes Trail, a 6 mile round trip hike which starts at Lake Sabrina.
Aspendell:
This small unincorporated community along HWY 168 offers some of the most gorgeous fall colors. There are tons of pull outs along the road, making it an easy place to stop and take in the color. Please make sure your car is all the way off the road, and be respectful of private property.
The Town of Bishop:
Some of the best fall color can be found ride in town. To the east of town, head to Buckley Ponds and the Owens River, where you will find majestic cottonwoods. Go east on Warm Springs Road and then take the little roads to the north and south near the river to look for color.
Fall Color Hikes in the Mammoth Lakes Area:
Rock Creek Canyon & Rock Creek Lake
Rock Creek gets great fall colors and the entire drive to Rock Creek Lake is gorgeous. Typically, this area gets pretty wind blown, so I recommend visiting in mid-late September for the best chances at seeing fall color.
Little Lakes Valley: AllTrails
This is one of my favorite hikes to do in Mammoth during the summer, and during the fall it turns pretty golden. There’s less trees on this trail, but all the grasses & bushes all turn a pretty gold. The lakes are so gorgeous & the trails thin out during the fall, so I’d definitely consider keeping this one on your list!
Convict Lake: AllTrails
This is definitely one of the best fall color hikes in the Eastern Sierra & is a personal favorite year round. The contrast of gold aspens and teal lake is beautiful. You can opt to hop of of your car and take in the views, or you can do the easy 2.5 mile loop around the lake.
McGee Creek:
McGee Creek is another amazing fall color spot. This is another one that doesn’t require much hiking. However, if you’re up for a longer hike, it is worth hiking the McGee Creek trail until the river widens into a pond (about a 6.5 mile round trip hike)
Mammoth Lakes Basin:
The Mammoth Lakes basin is a gorgeous spot to find some fall colors. I recommend checking out the Twin Lakes overlook and driving around the basin to find the best color.
Fall Color Hikes in the June Lake Area:
June Lake Loop:
During the fall, the June Lake Loop is a MUST. This is usually where I’ve found some of the prettiest fall color, especially in the area near Silver Lake. It’s worth it to drive around this entire loop and makes a great stop if you’re staying in Mammoth Lakes and planning to head North to other areas like Lee Vining and Bridgeport.
Parker Lake: AllTrails
Parker Lake is a gorgeous alpine lake that boasts beautiful fall colors. The trail is moderate, with a few exposed sections in the beginning and a cruise through a beautiful evergreen forest before arriving at the scenic lake. The last 5+ miles to the trail head is a decently graded dirt road, but it is typically well maintained and most cars can make it to the trailhead.
Fall Color Hikes in the Lee Vining Area:
Conway Summit:
One of the most spectacular fall vistas you’ll see anywhere, Conway Summit is a roadside pullout along Highway 395 between Lee Vining and Bridgeport. At 8,900 feet above sea level, the viewing area includes a lookout over Mono Lake, shimmering in the distance.
Lundy Lake & Lundy Canyon:
Lundy Lake is easily reached after a short scenic drive and there are many beautiful roadside views along the way. Lundy Canyon Road ends at a wonderful trail and colorful aspens can be found within the fist half of this 3 mile round trip hike.
Fall Color Hikes in the Bridgeport Area:
Green Creek: AllTrails
The road to Green Creek has tons of aspen trees, creating a golden lined road on your way to this beautiful hike. You can do this 6 mile round trip hike, but the most beautiful fall colors are found along the road and in the very beginning of the trail.
Virginia Lakes:
This is one of the most popular spots for finding fall color. Aspens line this gorgeous drive up to Virginia Lakes. The best fall color can be found between Little and Big Virginia Lakes.
Twin Lakes:
Not to be mistaken with the Twin Lakes in the Mammoth Lakes basin, these Twin Lakes near Bridgeport are also great for fall color. Go west from Highway 395 along Twin Lakes Road for about 13 miles to arrive at the first lake. The second lake is just a short drive from the first.
Other Fun Things To Do During Your Fall Trip to the Eastern Sierra:
While chasing fall colors is the main attraction, there’s tons of fun things to do in the Eastern Sierra during fall.
Soak in a Hot Spring
There are tons of hot springs near Mammoth Lakes. Fall is a great time to go for a soak due to the chillier temperatures. Leave no trace is incredibly important at hot springs because they are very fragile ecosystems. Remember to pack out everything you bring, avoid bringing glass, and try to rinse off before you get in them.
Grab a beer at Mammoth Brew Co
Mammoth Brew Company is a great place to grab a beer and a bite to eat. They also have a fun outdoor patio space and are dog friendly!
Check out Hot Creek Geological Site
Hot creek is one of the coolest mountain views in the Mammoth Lakes area. From above, epic viewpoints of the winding hot creek are set with an epic mountain backdrop. This is a great stop if you’re planning to visit hot springs in the area.
Check out Mobius Arch
Mobius Arch is located in the famous Alabama Hills National Scenic area. Several films were set here, and it’s easy to see why. Located near Lone Pine, this makes a great stop on your way up to Bishop, Mammoth Lakes, and other locations for fall colors.
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