Fall color in the the Eastern Sierra. Photo by Jennifer Chen.
Summers are glorious in the
Eastern Sierra while winters are devoted to snow sports, but the best time of year, especially if you’re into photography, is late September into mid-October. That’s prime time for what is perhaps California’s top the fall foliage color show. Venture down a side road, and you’ll find yourself surrounded by granite peaks, rushing streams and brilliant aspens, willows, cottonwoods and other trees and shrubs in their fall dress.
Leaf-peepers should keep in mind that elevation is key here; trees at lower altitudes change earlier than those high up in the mountains. See Mammoth Lakes Eastern Sierra
fall color guide here, and check in with
Californiafallcolor.com for an up-to-the-minute low-down on what’s changing when and where.
Where to start the journey? You need to get over the Sierra crest one way or another, and there are various ways to do so. To enjoy the entire 150 miles of the scenic byway, take Highway 50 over the state line to its intersection with 395 at Topaz, Nevada. Or, take Interstate 80 to Carson City and head south.
Once on 395, you’ll dip back into California and aim for Bridgeport. By now you must be hungry, no? Keep an eye out as you pass through Walker and pause for lunch at the regionally famous
Walker Burger or
Mountain View BBQ (both with dog-friendly outdoor seating). Stop, too, at
3 Flags Trading Post, a Native American gift shop carrying Indian baskets, moccasins, rugs, pottery and such.