From mid-September through October, the leaves on deciduous trees and shrubs along the canyons and creeks of the High Sierra—aspens, cottonwoods, alders and willows—turn gold and orange and red. "The intensity of color is determined by the plant’s response to complex gradients of temperature and moisture," writes Anne Halford, a botanist with the BLM. "Conditions favoring formation of brilliant autumn color are warm, sunny days followed by cool nights with temperatures below 45º F." Colors tend to appear at the highest elevations first and work their way downward as the season progresses.
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Subregions
- Eastern Lands (+)
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Inyo Craters (+)
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C Trail - Groomed Snowmobile Trail
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D Trail - Groomed Snowmobile Trail
- Earthquake Fault Trail
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F Trail - Groomed Snowmobile Trail
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G Trail - Groomed Snowmobile Trail
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H Trail - Groomed Snowmobile Trail
- Inyo Craters Trail
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I Trail - Groomed Snowmobile Trail
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L Trail - Groomed Snowmobile Trail
- Mountain View Trail
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Lakes Basin (+)
- Arrowhead Lake Trail
- Black Bear Run
- Coldwater-George Trail
- Crystal Lake Trail
- Dog Boulder Trail
- Duck Pass Trail
- Emerald Lake - Skelton Lake Trail
- Heart Lake Trail
- Horseshoe Lake Loop
- Horseshoe Woods
- Lakefront Path
- Lake George Path
- Lakes Basin Path
- Mamie Woods
- Mammoth Crest Trail
- Mammoth Mountain - Mammoth Pass Trail
- Mammoth Pack Station Trail
- Mammoth Pass - Crater Meadow Trail
- Mammoth Pass Trail
- McLeod Lake Spur
- Panorama Dome Mountain Bike Trail
- Panorama Dome Trail
- Panorama Mountain Bike Loop
- Pika Lake Trail
- Rim Trail
- Seven Lakes Point Loop
- Sky Meadows Trail
- TJ Lake Loop
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Winter Access Corridor - Lakes Basin
- Woods Lake Trail
- Mammoth Crest (+)
- Mammoth Mountain (+)
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Reds Meadow Valley (+)
- Agnew Meadow - Pumice Flat
- Agnew Wildflower Loop
- Anona Lake Trail
- Beck Lake Trail
- Emily Lake Trail
- Fish Creek Trail
- High Trail
- Minaret Lake Trail
- Rainbow Falls Trail
- Red Cones Cutoff
- River Trail
- Shadow Creek Trail
- Sotcher Lake Feeder
- Sotcher Lake Loop
- Sotcher Lake - Mammoth Pass Trail
- Starkweather Trail
- Summit Meadow - Holcomb Lake Cutoff
- Upper Crater Meadows Trail
- Shady Rest (+)
- Sherwins (+)
- Town (+)
Activity Checklist
- Camera
- Jacket or windbreaker
- Map or GPS device
- Practical shoes
Featured Fall Color Viewing Experiences
Fall Color Viewing on the Heart Lake Trail
- Difficulty Rating:
- Duration:
- None
Fall Color Viewing on the Shadow Creek Trail
- Difficulty Rating:
- Duration:
- Half day
Fall Color Viewing on the Town Loop
- Difficulty Rating:
- Duration:
- Less than 4 hours
All Fall Color Viewing Experiences
Fall Color Viewing on the Heart Lake Trail
0.8 mi
- Rating: ,
- Surface: Soil,
- Duration: None
Fall Color Viewing on the Shadow Creek Trail
4.7 mi
- Rating: ,
- Surface: Soil,
- Duration: Half day
Fall Color Viewing on the Town Loop
6.0 mi
- Rating: ,
- Surface: Asphalt,
- Duration: Less than 4 hours
All Fall Color Viewing Experiences
| Experience | Rating | Length (mi) | Surface | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall Color Viewing on the Heart Lake Trail | 0.8 | Soil | ||
| Fall Color Viewing on the Shadow Creek Trail | 4.7 | Soil | Half day | |
| Fall Color Viewing on the Town Loop | 6.0 | Asphalt | Less than 4 hours |
All Fall Color Viewing Trails
Heart Lake Trail
1.1 mi
- Surface: Soil
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Mammoth Rock Trail Connector
0.9 mi
- Surface: Soil
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Meadow Trail
1.0 mi
- Surface: Mixed
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Meadow Trail Connector
1.6 mi
- Surface: None
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Shadow Creek Trail
7.8 mi
- Surface: Soil
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Sotcher Lake Loop
1.5 mi
- Surface: Soil
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All Fall Color Viewing Trails
| Trail | Length (mi) | Surface | Activities and Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heart Lake Trail | 1.1 | Soil |
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| Mammoth Rock Trail Connector | 0.9 | Soil |
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| Meadow Trail | 1.0 | Mixed |
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| Meadow Trail Connector | 1.6 |
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| Shadow Creek Trail | 7.8 | Soil |
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| Sotcher Lake Loop | 1.5 | Soil |
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