High Sierra Topix

Just returned today from a four-day trip to the east side. Covered nearly every canyon from Bridgeport to Lone Pine. Absolutely nothing from Lee Vining north save for very few yellows in Lundy Canyon. Virgina Lakes was mostly green. Twin Lakes was a big bummer, barely starting to turn a few yellows. The first decent color I found was June Lake loop. Probably a few days away from peak. The road to Sabrina had some decent color but Sabrina itself had already shed. McGee Creek was just a few yellows, mostly green. Rock Creek was weird, a few greens and yellows but some trees completely missing leaves, go figure. Not one single yellow leaf was to be found in Whitney Portal.

Basically, from Lee Vining north it is at least 1-2 weeks away from peak. Lee Vining south is at least a few days to 1+ weeks away. Even the Parker Lake road area was a complete bore.

Of course, the storm blowing in the next few days will change all those predictions dramatically.

Thanks Mountaineer, that makes me feel better now about not giving into my restlessness and wasting gas and weekend time. Everything pointed to what you reported so I stayed home yet another weekend. If few people are offering reports of any type during the peak fall period, one can be sure its because it sukks about everywhere because there are always a lot of people out regardless of reports. If it was worthy, some of them would likely chime in. And of course the few reports last week like those from Inge were rather negative. I'm still hoping to get out if I hear some positiive enough. There is a long range forecast that a weak storm may brush the area next weekend, and that would be fine in order to get better diffuse lighting from clouds. Pretty soon the Pacific dogwood ought to start showing color in west slope areas like Big Trees.

I think the weather was still in the 80's over there into late September. Not enough cold nights yet I suppose. I camped on the side of the mountain south of Parker Lake and it was 17 degrees in the morning just as the sun came up. The gallon jugs of water in my car froze solid. Had to boil ice to get enough water to brush my teeth. The cold weather is definitely in full swing NOW!

mountaineer wrote:Just returned today from a four-day trip to the east side. Covered nearly every canyon from Bridgeport to Lone Pine. Absolutely nothing from Lee Vining north save for very few yellows in Lundy Canyon. Virgina Lakes was mostly green. Twin Lakes was a big bummer, barely starting to turn a few yellows. The first decent color I found was June Lake loop. Probably a few days away from peak. The road to Sabrina had some decent color but Sabrina itself had already shed. McGee Creek was just a few yellows, mostly green. Rock Creek was weird, a few greens and yellows but some trees completely missing leaves, go figure. Not one single yellow leaf was to be found in Whitney Portal.

Basically, from Lee Vining north it is at least 1-2 weeks away from peak. Lee Vining south is at least a few days to 1+ weeks away. Even the Parker Lake road area was a complete bore.

Of course, the storm blowing in the next few days will change all those predictions dramatically.

Glad to hear I guess, since I was going to go there last week, but decided against it since I was alone and my wife didn't know were I was. I just drove Tioga road instead and saw nothing.

Hey Mountaineer, sorry I missed your reply over on the Hunter vs colors thread. Sounds like you've come and gone.

The weather blew out most of the leaves that had frozen in the previous storm. There are still a lot of green leaves around though. Good color coming in right here in Little Round Valley. Round Valley is just starting.

It's really a mixed up fall this year. The low here at 7,200' was 42 last night. Still some color to come up the canyons I'm guessing.

JD

I just got back from Yosemite Valley. The after visiting the Eastside at the begining of the month with mixed results I found the valley alive with color. Starting at the Arch Rock entrance the Broad Leaf Maple trees are glowing. Up through the Merced canyon, all along South side drive, especially pretty just east of Cathedral rocks, into Illilouette canyon, and up the Mist trail to Vernal falls the trees are a bright yellow/Gold. I would not normally stop at the bridge to take a shot of Vernal falls but right now would be a great time to do so as the Maples are colorful from the bridge all the way to the falls(get there prior to the sun coming up or after the sun is behind Glacier Point).
There are a couple of Aspens in the Yosemite Lodge area that have turned and make a good frame for shoting the falls. The Black Oak trees dont look like they have started to change yet nor the Dogwoods that I saw.

P.S. I t was dark when I drove by, but I have heard that Lee Vining cayon has turned and is looking nice right now.

Spent a rainy day up in the Mono Basin yesterday. Some ok colors starting to pour out the canyons.
I put up a few more shots here http://dittli.wordpress.com/

Wow John! that is some awesome stuff. You have a medium or large format, don't you?

This shot is amazing.

This coming weekend is looking more promising with aspen once again coming into color and on western slopes Pacific dogwood and big leaf maple also early in color change. Additionally there may be bright high clouds moving across the trailing dome of high pressure over the Sierra as the a front pushes through the Northwest Monday with its tail across the Sierra. Thinking may put my money down on moving west on SR-4 from Saturday sunrise, overnight roadside down in the Carson drainage and then Sunday move north on SR-89 and west on SR-88.

Hey Jody thanks. Yesterday was a really beautiful day.

Yes, I (used) to shoot with a 4x5 and a 645 but I haven't picked either one up in about 6 months. I'm now pretty much a digital convert shooting the Canon 5d Mark II. Saves a lot of painstaking time in front of the scanner. Not to mention way lighter in the backcountry!

John