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 CALIFORNIA 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 Sierra Nevada 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 Conway Summit 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 Tioga Pass/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 Yosemite National Park. 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. i v 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.