Where is Mammoth Lakes?

One of my favorite regions in the Eastern Sierra Nevada range is a place called Inyo National Forest. It’s about 4-6 hours driving distance from San Francisco. Inyo National Forest is also home to an area called Mammoth Lakes. Having lived in California for most of my life, I visited Mammoth Lakes for the first time in October of 2020, specifically to find fall colors. Mammoth Lakes might very well be one of the best places to find fall colors in northern California. Below are some recommendations on where to find fall colors in October 2021. For weekly updates please visit Mono County’s fall report of specific locations that are peaking right now!

Driving to Mammoth Lakes via Yosemite National Park

From San Francisco, the shortest way to Mammoth Lakes is via Yosemite National Park. During the pandemic, Yosemite National Park required reservations even to pass through the park. So you either had to have a day-use reservation, a campground reservation, wilderness permit or an airbnb/other lodging reservation to enter. Currently if you are heading to Mammoth Lakes in October 2021 via Yosemite, that requirement has been removed.

I chose to stay in an Airbnb in Mammoth Lakes in the center of town. Here’s how I planned day 1:

Fall Colors in Mammoth Lakes – Day 1

June Lake: June Lake is a 16 mile driving loop. Take the time to stop along different pull outs to experience the fall colors in Mammoth. The loop makes it ways through the charming city of June, alpine canyons and 4 scenic lakes. As of the October 10th weekend, the leaves were beginning to turn so make sure you visit this lake in the next couple of weekends. The start of the loops begins at the June Lake Loop sign at the entrance (past the gas station). Go left to begin the loop. About 10 minutes later you should come to a sign that says ‘Gull Lake’. Take this road and spend a few minutes around Gull Lake. If you have time, take a boat and enjoy the views from the water. Back on the June Lake Loop, drive for another 5 minutes or so until you spot the fall colors on your right. Park on the side of the road or turn right into the campground entrance and park there. There’s a road leading toward the right, lined with trees whose leaves are turning rich shades of yellow and orange!

Lundy Canyon: June Lake to Lundy Canyon is about 30 minutes. Lundy Canyon is currently showing fall colors in Mammoth! If you’re in the mood for a hike, the Lundy Canyon Trail is about 3 miles, beginning at the end of Lundy Lake Rd. It’s an out-and-back journey into a vibrant canyon landscape brimming with Eastern Sierra life and scenery, including a waterfall and beaver dam. Level of difficulty is moderate-to-intense. To find the trailhead, take Hwy. 395 seven miles north of Lee Vining and go west. Follow Lundy Lake Rd. for about two miles. Tip: It can get quite hot in the day, take plenty of water, snacks and a hat!

Fall Colors in Mammoth Lakes – Day 2

Get ready for a day of exploring sparking lakes!

Twin Lakes: There’s easy parking in the parking lot and good signage indicating where you need to turn off for the twin lakes. Don’t miss walking around the twin lakes, separated by a pretty little red bridge. The reflections in the morning are simply magical. The leaves are turning and you can spot pretty fall colors in Mammoth here. Tip: Go early by 8am to enjoy the lake pre-crowds!

Crystal Lake: 11 minutes away lies the trailhead for the Crystal Lake hike. This 3 mile hike is absolutely worth it. There’s some color starting to show but the reflections of Crystal Crag (the imposing granite rock), and the serenity of the Ansel Adams area is absolutely stunning. There’s 13 acres surrounding the lake, so spend as much or as less time as you want! Tip: There are two signs that say going beyond the Ansel Adams wilderness boundary is prohibited until further notice due to the wildfires. It is difficult to interpret where the wilderness boundary starts…I wasn’t sure if Crystal Lake was also part of that prohibition…but there was a couple that went ahead of me so I followed. On my way back, I noticed tons of families hiking up as well, so this must not be part of the closure. Remember to wear masks and be responsible.

Horseshoe Lake: 5 minutes away you’ll find Horseshoe Lake. Historically this lake has fall colors in Mammoth but from the parking lot I did not see any foliage, and because I wanted to hit some other spots that I knew had color, I decided to forego this lake. But worth checking out if you’re there in the coming weekends!

Sherwin Lakes: This is also supposed to have fall colors in Mammoth, but because it involved another hike and I was short on time, I decided to skip it. This place is about 20 minutes away from Horseshoe Lake so if you decide to hike it, you can plan accordingly.

Convict Lake: About 25 minutes away from Horseshoe lake lies Convict Lake. This lake was originally carved out by glaciers and boasts the towering peak of Mt Morrison. You can rent out paddle boards at the marina, take a swim in the ice cold waters (at least right now) or just walk around the lake and revel in the beauty of the fall colors in Mammoth that are popping up around the lake!

Rock Creek Lake and Upper Rock Creek: About 28 minutes away from Convict Lake lies the road to Rock Creek. This is where I found a lot of fall colors in Mammoth so go here in the next few weekends! McGee Creek is also showing color right now!

Hilton Lakes: Getting to Hilton Lakes involves a hike and is very close to the Rock Creek area but because it involved a hike I did not have time to go to this lake. The fall color map shows you locations that are peaking right now. The lake opposite the Hilton Lake trailhead is also showing color!

Davis Lake: Davis Lake also involves a hike and because I was out of time I did not visit this lake. It’s very close to Hilton Lakes and is supposed to also have fall colors in Mammoth.

Crawley Creek: On my way out of the Rock Creek area, I stopped at the sign for Crawley Creek because I spotted a little town bursting with color right up into the mountains. if you map it to Crawley Creek you’ll see what I mean. Tip: You will likely pass this on your way to Rock Creek from Convict Lake – so you can also detour then to take some pretty photos!

Fall Colors in Mammoth Lakes – Day 3

Day 3, drive further about 1.5 hours to Bishop Creek, specifically Bishop Creek Lodge. Here is where I am finding some really gorgeous foliage. Right next to the lodge is this massive stretch of eye-pleasing leaf peeping. See if you can spot the waterfalls and the little cabin!

Next to the lodge, if you drive up a little further you’ll see plenty of lush foliage on your left. Use the pull outs in the road and turn into one of them so you can get down and take in the stunning colors in front of you!

Once you’re done here, drive over to North lake – there are still some yellow leaves that if you’re lucky, you can still see. There’s plenty of parking here and be ready for the sight that awaits….on the way out of North Lake, if you continue to drive back toward Mammoth town you will see a street on the left next to the Aspendell exit. Follow that street to a lane filled with yellow aspens! Once you’re done exploring here, drive back toward Mammoth town and you will spot another lake on your right filled with oranges, reds and green leaves! Be sure to stop here for a bit. I’m not sure if that’s Lake Sabrina, but that also has foliage!

Conclusion

Remember to be safe, wear masks on the trails around other hikers, maintain a distance and leave no trace. If you’re unfamiliar with the 7 principles, please review it here.

Closures and Warnings

There are signs that clearly say not to step into a burnt area or not to go beyond a closure due to the wildfires. By ignoring these signs and stepping onto the burnt areas in our desire to photograph something, we are harming regrowth. In our desire to experience a place, we ignore closure signs. But if we get caught in a wildfire or if we need rescuing, the frontline workers are already overwhelmed fighting the fires and the pandemic. We are further straining a system that is already overwhelmed right now.

Respect California

Recreate outdoors for your own mental health, but please do so responsibly. California has a “Respect California” code aimed at guiding all of us to take care of this beautiful land so we can all enjoy the outdoors for many years to come. And lastly, if you find any other fall colors in Mammoth not mentioned here, please do let me know! For more of the fall colors I saw at Mammoth visit me here!