P M P M P C 6 B . . . 9 o i O O O s o a 0 Why do leaves u h n m . . .

n EASTERN HIGH SIERRA N B B D o o t m p . y o o r C M o x x a A o o w turn color? t 6 4 a f h r u e 0 8 e i n n I r 3 , a L n t , M N a S y y M C C k t o , e

very autumn, cottonwood, quaking a r T r h e t I e m a n o a o s n e m .

aspen and willow are transformed into u S m m d t C S r T , m - e C i o

o FALL b O B

colorful hues of gold, orange and russet. s p C o t u e -

E m 1 h i e t 1 s r r 5 h n

Before long, their leaves will fall and again 8 h i L s d o a o L a m e f p become part of another cycle that feeds the n k a n , d C e k c a C s soil. What causes this yearly cycle, and what e o e F , n s A m , , i C d l determines which color the leaves turn? C C m m 9 A R A 3 A COLOR

During spring and summer, leaves e 5 9 e C 9 r 1 9 3 c c o 3 4 actively produce foods necessary for plant 3 5 r e 5 m e 5 4 2 4 6 a m growth. This food-making process takes a 6 6 t n i i o s place in the numerous cells within the leaf. d n s V i

Within these cells are Chloroplasts, which o D i s n

e GUIDE contain the chlorophyll pigments that are i t p o a r

responsible for the green color of plants. r s t m

The leaves also contain lesser amounts of B e u n other pigments, primarily xanthophylls r e t

(yellows) and carotenoids (yellows, oranges a and reds). u Most of the year, these other pigments are masked by the greater amounts of chlorophyll present in the leaves. But in fall, when changes in temperature and the period of daylight occur, the leaves stop their food-producing activity. Soon the chlorophyll begins to break down, the green color disappears, and the yellows, oranges and reds slowly begin to emerge, giving the leaves their fall splendor. The intensity of color is determined by the plant’s response to complex gradients of temperature and moisture. Fall weather conditions favoring formation of brilliant autumn color are warm, sunny days followed by cool nights with temperatures below 45˚F (7˚C). Sugar production increases during the daytime, but cool nights prevent movement of sugar from the leaves. From the sugars trapped in leaves, the red pigment called anthocyanin is formed. When fall weather is consistently cloudy or rainy, and the nights warm, the leaves usually have less intense coloration. The smaller amounts of sugar made during periods of less sunlight moves out of the leaves during the warm nights, reducing the conversion of excess sugars into pigments. Before the leaves gracefully spin from their leafstalk, a special layer of cells devel - ops and gradually severs the tissues that support the leaf. A small leaf scar is the only evidence that leaves once adorned these deciduous plants.

—Anne Halford, Botanist Bureau of Land Management, Bishop Resource Office

he Eastern Sierra region is laced with rugged canyons carved by rushing streams, and home to some of the finest fall color viewing anywhere. Autumn displays of golden aspen mingle with pine forest and contrast with T stark granite walls. Cottonwood and willow line stream banks and border alpine meadows. Above it all looms the towering mountain range jutting into the azure sky. The trees generally begin their annual color show in mid-September and, depending on Mother Nature and elevation, can extend into late October. Warm days and cool evenings mark this time of year in the region, making it not only perfect for viewing and photographing the fall splendor, but also taking part in the many recreational activities and events the entire Eastern Sierra region is famous for. A wide choice of accommodations and dining opportunities completes the picture. The Eastern Sierra in the fal l— a special time in a special place. EASTERN HIGH SIERRA FALL COLOR GUIDE

1 Big Pine Canyon Monitor 12 Lee Vining Canyon 15 Pass

To Markleeville o

15 miles south of Bishop. From the community of n 35 miles north of Mammoth Lakes. Take Hwy. 395 to the /Yosemite Continue north on Hwy. 395 to Conway Summit. As you descend, look e

R TopazTopaz o Big Pine, take the Glacier Lodge Road west. The T Lake National Park turnoff. Hwy. 120 climbs through a steep canyon, affording to the west to see expansive aspen groves below Dunderberg Peak, all road starts in scrub and sage, and wends its way from 89 incredible views of the rugged landscape and the canyon’s fall colors. If you within view of the highway. the valley floor up Big Pine Creek. Views of the continue on Hwy. 120, you’ll reach Tioga Pass and the eastern entrance to Palisades to the west mark the route up the canyon. TOPAZ . There is an entrance fee here to enter the Park. 16 Bodie As you gain elevation—you begin at about 4,000 feet Another alternative in this area is to take in magnificent Mono Lake. Just a few minutes north of Conway Summit you’ll find the turnoff to and climb to almost 8,000—the foliage comes into This ancient inland sea features mysterious tufa towers and is a sanctuary Bodie. Once notorious as the wildest town in the West, Bodie is now view. Aspen, cottonwood and willows hug the sides COLEVILLE Antelope for millions of migrating birds. A visitor center just north of the town the West’s largest unrestored ghost town, administered as Bodie State Valley of the creek, and the canyon walls are magnificent. Little of Lee Vining is well worth a stop. Historic Park. There’s not an abundance of fall color at Bodie, but there’s Antelope plenty of wild west history and it’s well worth the trip. A nominal fee is The road ends near the old Glacier Lodge. The lodge Valley W Lundy Canyon charged to enter the park. (Bring water and a picnic lunch to Bodie, was destroyed by fire a few years back, but is being e 13 s rebuilt. Hikers who choose to go farther up the t 45 miles north of Mammoth Lakes. Lundy Canyon and as no food services are available.) canyon are rewarded with grand alpine scenery, WALKER Lundy Lake are reached by driving north on Hwy. 395 past D

R

N Green Creek and views of the Palisade Glacier, the southernmost O Lee Vining and Mono Lake. Just before you begin the 17 Y Walker

N

A C ascent over Conway Summit you’ll see the turnoff (Hwy. 5 miles south of Bridgeport. Green Creek is located between Conway glacier in North America. L L River I

M

W 20 Summit and the community of Bridgeport. The road is marked by a

a 167). The short drive leads to one of the most beautiful

l

k Canyon e 2 City of Bishop r autumn settings in the Eastern Sierra, and the trout yellow sign. Turn west on the graded dirt road and follow Green Creek approximately eight miles to the developed campground and trailhead.

Throughout the Owens Valley, large stands R fishing here is very good, as well.

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e of cottonwood grace the valley floor with r While the road can be a bit bumpy, those who venture up it are US Marine Corps 14 Virginia Lakes rewarded with views of beautiful meadows and canyon walls splattered brilliant gold. Take any number of Mountain Warfare roads east toward the Owens River Training Center Continue north on Hwy. 395 past the turnoff with color. er for a closer look, or travel just Riv Sonora to Lundy Lake to Conway Summit. You’ll Note: The road forks about three miles in. Take the right fork, a Sonora Pickel Pass Meadow 19 be rewarded with sweeping views of Mono north of Bishop on Hwy. 6 to Leavitt Pass sharp right hand turn to Green Creek. The left fork takes you eight 9,628 ft. r e Meadow k Lake along the way. At the top of Conway l miles through high terrain and eventually ends at a junction with the Laws, where you’ll also get r Devils Gate 108 a e v W i r R 182 ve Poore Ri Summit, take the Virginia Lakes Road Virginia Lakes Road. This road is graded dirt as well.

a taste of Bishop’s history at t

s r e lke W Lake a west into a canyon carpeted by aspen the Laws Railroad Museum. W r US e t k s l a Twin Lakes a 395 E and cottonwood . The road follows 18 W 3 Bishop Creek Masonic Virginia Creek up the canyon, Twin Lakes Road begins near the north end of the town of Bridgeport. ittle West of Bishop. Follow West L Bridgeport terminating at a campground Travel west through expansive ranch lands and pastures to the Twin Line Street (Hwy. 168 west) up INYO Reservoir and trailhead near one of many Lakes Recreation Area. Some of the ranches have been here since the Bishop Creek Canyon. South Lake, Creek lakes in the area. Easy hikes 1860s. As the name implies, Twin Lakes is comprised of two lakes, HOOVER k Lake Sabrina, North Lake and Intake e ee from the trailhead offer upper and lower, and magnificent fall color viewing opportunities. Both key Cr BRIDGEPORT WILDERNESS Buc lakes are lined with aspen and cottonwood, and the shimmering blue II all offer fabulous fall color with 420 .y.q great fall color viewing contrasted with the yellows and oranges of the leaves provides an golden aspen and red underbrush. n and good fishing. o s n i b almost surreal, natural setting. The canyon walls are dotted with color, You’ll experience an elevation gain of Twin o Bodie R almost 6,000 feet, as Lake Sabrina lies at Lakes 18 Bodie State Historic and views of the awesome Sawtooth Ridge to the west are spectacular. 16 Park 9,800 feet. Early dustings of snow on the highest Sawtooth Twin Lakes There are facilities here, along with great camping, fishing and boating Ridge at both lakes. peaks over 13,000 ft. make for even more colorful Dynamo Pond 270 scenery. Hiking trails, horseback riding and great Green D EK ROA EN CRE 19 Sonora Pass fishing offer fun for the adventurous. Creek 17 GRE Creek Conway Green (State Highway 108) 17 miles north of Bridgeport , take the turnoff ROAD AKE 15 Dunderberg L Summit 4 Buttermilk Country INIA from Hwy. 395 west toward Sonora Pass. The sage-lined road gently Peak IRG West of Bishop. Along the way to the higher canyons Virginia V makes its way through meadow areas crisscrossed by the West Walker along Hwy. 168 lies the Buttermilk Country. Dozens Lakes 14 River. You pass the Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center Virginia Lakes V. thorne of unpaved roads zigzag throughout this area—also a Lundy 167 To Haw as you ascend the tree-lined road to Leavitt Meadow. Lodgepole pine popular rock climbing destination. Stands of aspen are Canyon 13 interspersed with aspen create a magnificent fall color setting. The located along streams, and Basque sheepherders can Black road continues west to Sonora Pass, but is very steep, curvy and not Lundy Lake Point also be seen. During the 1800s, ranchers brought goat recommended for tow trailers. If you retrace your route back to Hwy. Saddlebag Mono milk down to Bishop for sale, which turned to buttermilk Lake Lake 395, the Training Center emerges on the left in the distance. along the bumpy route during warm, summer months. Paoha .y.q Island Walker River Canyon YOSEMITE q. 20 Round Valley 120 20 miles north of Bridgeport. The road into Walker Canyon 5 NATIONAL Lee Vining 9 miles north of Bishop. Round Valley is a Tioga Pass LEE VINING begins in rolling sage-covered hills and abruptly brings you into PARK Entrance Ellery 12 k Canyon 9,945 ft. Tioga Lake e a steep canyon marked by the rushing West Walker River. A ranching and agricultural area located at the base ek re ning C r e C Panum Lake Vi h e s huge flood re-routed the river in 1997, and indications of of Wheeler Crest, which plays host to huge cottonwoods and e u Crater L R South Tufa Reserve poplars that hold their fall colors far into the season. Side trips from that flood are evident on the rocks and trees which line C this area include Pine Creek Canyon and Lower Rock Creek road. Walker N the waterway. Pine, willow and cottonwood line the Lake A Both trips offer views of aspen and cottonwood along fast-moving Mono Mono Mills L E banks of the river and the road. Eventually, the road Craters (site) streams. Travelers continuing up the Lower Rock Creek road I V enters the gentle and peaceful area known as F A eventually reach the junction of Hwy. 395 near Tom’s Place and Grant Antelope Valley. The valley is comprised of Parker Lake 120 O D the entrance to Rock Creek Canyon. Awesome views of Lake R A agricultural and ranching land and speckled with Wheeler Crest, and Bishop Creek Canyon 158 June June Lake N magnificent mature cottonwoods, some more Lake I than 100 years old, which also line the main avail themselves on this route. Silver Gull 11 Loop A ANSEL Lake Lake US highway through the area. If traveling ADAMS 6 Lower Rock Creek JUNE 395 Big Springs north, you will eventually reach the Nevada June WILDERNESS LAKE U The “Old Road,” just north of Bishop. Drive north from Mountain pper O wens border at Topaz Lake. Thousand Ri Bishop on Hwy. 395 and take the Pine Creek exit. Then ver Island Lake Sa ek n Deadman Cre turn right on Old Hwy. 395. The old highway will return Jo Lookout aq Obsidian h ui pa Garnet Lake n Mountain o R Dome n you to the freeway just south of Tom’s Place. There’s lots of To i v .g e To Shadow r NATIONAL color through steep, Lower Rock Creek Canyon. Agnew Lake Meadows Inyo Montgomery Craters Hot Creek (site) LOOP NIC Geological Site BENTON Higher elevation roads are Rock Creek Canyon Minarets Minaret CE 7 S Vista OLD subject to winter closures. 30 miles north of Bishop off Hwy. 395. Rock Creek is a glacier- .V Mammoth BENTON carved canyon, just off Hwy. 395 at Tom’s Place. Continue up Devils Postpile 203 qy.. Tioga, Sonora and Monitor National Monument Mammoth 10 Lakes B Reds Meadow Mountain E passes are closed in winter. Rock Creek Canyon 9 miles to Rock Creek Lake. Aspens line the N Hot Creek T Rainbow Falls TOWN OF O canyon all the way to the lake—a popular hiking and fishing spot. J. Fish Hatchery N Call 1-800-427-7623 Twin MAMMOTH Lake Mary Lakes LAKES Hammil for current highway Mammoth 8 McGee Creek Canyon C Valley RO Lakes Basin SSIN White Mtn. conditions. 10 miles south of Mammoth Lakes off Hwy. 395. While you can G Peak Convict Crowley RD 14,246 ft. observe some fall color from your vehicle, McGee Creek Canyon is Lake 9 Lake best seen on foot. Park at the trailhead at the end of the dirt road. A Convict long and somewhat strenuous hike rewards you with magnificent views Lake .V of Red and White Mountain. Bring water, as the first stretches of the Owen s R

k iv McGee Creek e trail are across a south-facing slope which, even in fall, can be quite TOM’S er e

r C CROWLEY PLACE warm and dry. Brilliant colors line the creek and canyon. Canyon 8 e e G LAKE c M Owens River Wheeler Gorge 9 Convict Lake Big McGee Lake k e Crest e r C The 6 miles south of Mammoth Lakes off Hwy. 395. Situated in a spectacular k c o Old Rock Creek R setting of rugged mountain peaks, Convict Lake’s inkwell-look is 7 Road Lower 6 heightened in the fall as the trees that line the lake come into color. Canyon 6 Rock A hiking trail winds around the lake, and the fishing here is fabulous. Rock Creek Chalfant Creek Lake .V Valley h g u o 10 Mammoth Lakes l Little Lakes S There are several fine viewing areas near the Town of Mammoth Lakes. Valley Check out the Sherwin Creek campground area by following Old Round Pleasant Valley Volcanic h Reservoir s Tableland i Mammoth Road to the Sherwin Creek Road turnoff at Sierra Meadows Valley 5 F Ranch. Follow the unpaved road 2 miles to Sherwin Creek. L E G E N D Owen s River Laws Railroad M The Mammoth Lakes Basin offers a beautiful alpine setting with k O e N re Museum O five lakes just minutes from the center of town. Follow Main Street to US Hwy 395 C Mill Pond C ton Recreation Area I O Hor NY UN Lake Mary Road, and continue 2 miles. The lakes offer fantastic fishing, O TY Paved Roads and Highways Horton Paiute Shoshone City of CO and you’ll find several trailheads for easy day hikes. Indian Cultural Center q. UN Lakes 2 Bishop TY Also, try the Mammoth Scenic Loop. The scenic loop road intersects Unpaved Roads WEST LIN BISHOP E ST y. ANCIENT Hwy. 203 as it winds to Ski Area, and brings you q Visitor Center Buttermilk 168 out on Hwy. 395 about 5 miles north of Mammoth. An easy side trip to 4 BRISTLECONE y Ranger Station Country k Buckley Inyo Craters, just off the loop road, offers a great place for a picnic Cree PINE FOREST hop Ponds lunch. For a day of it, you can visit the Reds Meadow area and take in Bis g Roadside Rest Schulman Grove Devils Postpile National Monument, Rainbow Falls and the San Joaquin Bishop .q Visitor Center V Scenic Vista US River. Some of the most beautiful old aspen groves can be viewed 3 Creek 395 ANCIENT North BRISTLECONE PINE from this location. Follow Minaret Road to Mammoth Mountain Main J Fish Hatchery Lake Intake NATIONAL Lodge. (Road access fee beyond Minaret Vista, with a mandatory shuttle II Keough SCENIC BYWAY Airport Lake Hot Springs bus to the Reds Meadow area . Call 760-924-5500 for information.) Sabrina Be sure to stop at Minaret Vista along the way to experience one Historic Site 168 of the most breathtaking views to be found in the Sierra. South y Museum lle Lake Va ath Klondike De June Lake Loop Eastern Sierra Scenic Byway To 11 Lake Interpretive Display JOHN MUIR FOREST S 20 miles north of Mammoth Lakes off Hwy. 395. This scenic drive is a PAS ARD treat any time of year, but fall colors make this route especially pretty. State Scenic Highway WILDERNESS WESTG Follow Hwy. 395 north to the south junction of Hwy. 158. The road Big Pine winds past the community of June Lake, which sits on the shores of its Lakes namesake. Gull Lake is next, followed by Silver Lake and Grant Lake. SCALE BIG Palisade Big Pine Continuing along the Loop, Hwy. 158 brings you back to Hwy. 395 E RD PINE 0 2.5 5 7.5 10 MILES Glacier DG ©2008 Mammoth Lakes Tourism and Recreation Department, Bishop Area Chamber of GLAC O T 1 IER o Canyon L just past Grant Lake. (Winter road closure beyond Silver Lake.) L Commerce and Visitors Bureau, Mono County Tourism and Film Commission and County of Inyo.

o B k s Photos ©Jane Dove Juneau, Londie G. Padelsky, Brad Peatross, Jim Stimson, Mammoth Lakes ig ree A Pine C n g Visitors Bureau. Produced by Laura Patterson Design, Mammoth Lakes, CA

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