The vibrant autumn leaves of the Eastern Sierra are attracting a worldwide audience. The stunning transformation of foliage along Highway 168 in the Inyo National Forest is a sight to behold.
It was just after dawn on a Thursday when I set out from Bishop, California, driving up a steep hill and leaving behind the muted sandy grays of the high desert. As I ascended to about 8,000 feet, the landscape before me burst into brilliant shades of yellow and gold. The aspen and willow trees, adorned in their fall finery, painted creek beds and mountain slopes with a dazzling array of colors that only grace this area for a fleeting moment each year.
The peak of the fall colors is currently captivating visitors in the Inyo National Forest near Bishop, starting at higher elevations and gradually descending as the season progresses. For those looking to experience the beauty, locations like South Lake Tahoe and Convict Lake are expected to showcase their vibrant hues in the coming week. In Southern California, the leaves at Mt. Baldy and Big Bear Lake typically achieve their full glory between mid-October and early November. A helpful guide with maps and recommended viewing spots can be found through California Fall Color.
While aficionados of foliage often lament that the West Coast lacks the spectacular color variations seen in New England, they do have a point. I recall a trip from Montreal to Connecticut one October, watching in awe as my British Columbia-raised friend sat speechless, mesmerized by the fiery reds, oranges, and yellows. However, despite New England’s resplendent hues, the Sierra Nevada offers a breathtaking autumn panorama that is uniquely impressive.
The road from Bishop climbs to 9,868 feet at South Lake, nestled within a natural amphitheater surrounded by towering granite peaks: Hurd Peak at 12,237 feet, Cloudripper at 13,535 feet, and Mt. Agassiz at 13,899 feet. This area boasts some of the most breathtaking vistas accessible by car in California. However, serious climbing should be left to experienced mountaineers, as evidenced by a recent incident involving unprepared hikers needing rescue from Cloudripper—an event that took the Inyo County Sheriff’s search-and-rescue team nearly 12 hours to resolve.
For those interested in simply enjoying the fall scenery, the Bishop Pass Trail is a fantastic option. This well-maintained hiking path begins at South Lake and spans almost six miles alongside pristine alpine lakes, culminating at a ridge that offers a stunning view of the Sierra’s eastern and western slopes. I set out for a 10k run but found myself stopping frequently to capture the breathtaking landscape and engage with fellow leaf-peepers, turning my originally brief workout into a leisurely 2½-hour exploration.
During my hike, I met retirees from Bakersfield and Thousand Oaks, tech professionals from the Bay Area, and a couple in their 60s visiting from Japan. Clearly, the allure of the Eastern Sierra’s autumn beauty is resonating with nature enthusiasts far and wide.
Planning a trip? The drive from downtown Los Angeles to Bishop is approximately 270 miles and typically takes around five hours. From Bishop, it’s another 20-mile ascent to South Lake, where the Bishop Pass Trail begins. This time of year, temperatures at higher elevations vary from the low 60s during the day to the low 40s at night, so be sure to dress in layers and bring along water and snacks for your journey.