Eastern Sierra Fall Color Report **Current Conditions** (Sep. 23-24)
Hi friends! Fall in California’s Eastern Sierra is officially here, and the aspens are already starting to turn gold! Every autumn, this rugged stretch of Highway 395 transforms into a leaf-peeper’s dream, with brilliant yellows, fiery oranges, and deep reds sweeping from high alpine lakes to hidden canyon trails. To help you plan the perfect road trip or photography adventure, each year I head up into the mountains to provide weekly real-time Eastern Sierra fall color reports right here on Flying Dawn Marie. Each week I’ll share on-the-ground updates from classic destinations like Bishop Creek, North Lake, Virginia Lakes, Sagehen Summit, Rock Creek Canyon, and beyond, so you’ll know exactly when and where the colors are peaking. Bookmark this page, check back often, and follow along as the 2025 fall foliage season unfolds...because in the Sierra, the show changes fast and every week brings a new burst of color.
FALL COLOR REPORT
• Locations: Virginia Lakes, Conway Summit, Sagehen Summit, Rock Creek Lake, Convict Lake
• Dates: September 23-24, 2025
Current fall colors peaking at Sagehen Summit
Eastern Sierra Fall Colors 2-4 Day Itinerary & Travel Guide
If you’re planning a Highway 395 road trip during the fall months, make sure to download my complete Eastern Sierra Fall Colors 2-4 Day Itinerary & Travel Guide, which includes an hour-by-hour schedule, Google & Apple map pin locations, the best stargazing spots, a dining guide, recommendations on where to stay, photography tips, and more! Download it today and make your fall foliage planning easy!
Current Eastern Sierra fall colors near Virginia Lakes Resort
Virginia Lakes
Leaf Color Transition: 25-75% - GO SOON!
Virginia Lakes is a patchwork of every stage of fall. The lower road still shows plenty of summer green with bursts of bright yellow, while the stretch between Little Virginia Lake and Big Virginia Lake is already at peak with golden aspen leaves framing the gravel road. This is one of the most lush spots in the area and a personal favorite. Around Big Virginia Lake itself you’ll find more green mixed in, so there’s still time for a second wave of color. If you can, head up this week to catch the upper section before it fades, then come back in a week or two for the rest of the show.
For more information on this spot, check out my full Virginia Lakes blog post.
Current fall colors at Conway Summit along Highway 395
Conway Summit
Leaf Color Transition: 10%
Conway is just waking up. Most of the hillsides remain green with scattered pops of yellow, so peak is likely still a couple of weeks away. Even now it’s worth a quick stop when driving along Highway 395 in between Virginia Lakes and Bodie State Historic Park.
Eastern Sierra fall colors peaking at Sagehen Summit
Sagehen Summit
Leaf Color Transition: 75-100% - GO NOW!
Wow! This might be the best I’ve ever seen Sagehen. The summit itself is blanketed in rich oranges and fiery golds, and the narrow dirt road that passes over Sagehen is lined with a glowing aspen tunnel. Lower elevations around the summit still carry some green, so you’ll get a staggered display, but the upper slopes are peaking beautifully right now. If you’re anywhere nearby, don’t wait—these colors will start fading within days.
Current fall colors at Convict Lake near Mammoth Lakes
Convict Lake
Leaf Color Transition: 5-15%
Convict is still in its early stages, which is fairly typical this time of the season. A few bright yellows are popping along the far side of the lake, but overall it’s predominantly green. Give it another couple of weeks and this deep glacial canyon will transform into one of the most photogenic scenes in the Sierra—perfect for a mid-October trip.
For more information on this spot, check out my full Convict Lake Camping & Kayaking blog post.
Eastern Sierra fall colors at Rock Creek Lake
Rock Creek Lake
Leaf Color Transition: 25-75% - GO SOON!
Similar to Virginia Lakes, Rock Creek is a mixed bag. The drive up the canyon is mostly green at lower elevations, but around the lake you’ll find striking yellows and even flashes of deep crimson. There’s still plenty of lime green mixed in, so the display should stay strong for at least another week. Go soon to catch the current brilliance and plan a follow-up visit for the next wave.
For more information on this spot, check out my full Rock Creek Lake blog post,
Fall colors at Rock Creek Lake in the Eastern Sierra
Know Before You Go
• Several of these spots are situated at over 9,000 feet in elevation, so it’s important to be aware of the symptoms and risks of altitude sickness. Be mindful of any dizziness, headaches, or nausea, and bring plenty of water, electrolytes and snacks. Always honor your body, monitor your own personal resistance, and hike within your own scale and comfort level here.
• The Eastern Sierra is black bear territory. Make sure all food is properly stored and kept in approved containers. Never approach, disturb or attempt to feed wildlife.
• Weather in the Sierra can be unpredictable. Be prepared for cool mornings and evenings, and always check the forecast before your trip.
• Please remember all the Leave No Trace Principles on your visit to keep this place a natural treasure.
• Cell service is unreliable in much of the Eastern and High Sierra, so bring a reliable GPS device with pre-downloaded maps. Gaia GPS for iPhone and Android devices is a great option that I use on all my mountain road trips.
Peaking Eastern Fall colors at Sagehen Summit
Downloadable Itineraries & Travel Guides
Planning a trip to California and the west coast? I’ve got in-depth travel guides and itineraries for several national parks and beautiful destinations. Check out a few of them below, or click here to see them all!
Big Virginia Lake current fall colors in the High Sierra
In Summary
Thanks so much for joining me this week in California’s Eastern Sierra. For a virtual visit of what the fall colors are looking like right now, make sure to watch my Behind the Blog video located at the top of this post, or watch it on YouTube here. Check back here next week for more real-time updates...until then, I hope you find adventure and encouragement wherever you go.
Sagehen Summit fall colors in Mono County
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About Me
I’m Dawn Marie, a travel and lifestyle blogger based out of Southern California. With in-depth articles, travel guides, and reviews on hotels & products, I seek to share my journeys to help you plan for your own. My adventures take me all over California, the western United States, and around the globe...and every Monday I post new content here, including a comprehensive blog post and YouTube video.
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