It was apparent early on that this was not going to be the typical cloudless-blue-sky fall color trip. As we drove into Bishop, the clouds hide the mountain tops and rain could be seen descending into the mountain valleys. When we arrived at the North Lake campground, there was a slight drizzle but it let up and we quickly pitched our tents. The rain held off all during supper and we enjoyed sharing the campfire of the couple from Sweden in the next camp.
In the morning we were greeted with snow flurries that came and
went during breakfast. During a lull in the snow, we decided to try
for a short hike to Grass Lake. The fallen aspen leaves carpeted the
trail with gold as we hiked through light intermittent snow flurries.
The lake had nice color on the other side but we decided to go back
rather than chance going around the lake.
On the way back the snow started to get harder. We meet the rest of
the group which had stayed behind to photograph next to the trial.
They had found a small meadow off the trail surrounded by trees in
full color, dulled somewhat by the ever increasing snow.
When we got back to camp the snow was so steady that it was
decided to pack up and head for a lower campground.
On the way we went up to Lake Sabrina. The outlet stream just below
the lake had some of the best color we had seen, and the sun peaked
out every now an again illuminating the red and gold leaves.
We then drove to South Lake, where everybody was amazed at how low
was the lake level. We stopped at a wide place in the road, lined
with photographers, that offered a view across the outlet stream to
the colorful hills beyond.
After setting up camp at Four Jeffery campground, we had happy
hour under a hastily erected tarp due to an evening rain shower. The
rain stopped by dinner and allowed us to have a meager campfire with
our now wet wood. By morning the storms had cleared and we explored
the many still green aspen in the campground area.
We then drove up
to Rock Creek, north of Bishop, and found more fall color at the
higher elevations. The sun back lite the trees and the mountains
provided a suitable backdrop.
After lunch at the picnic area at the
end of the road, the group separated at a stand of aspen clinging to
the hillside,
each of us going home satisfied we had captured the
true color of fall.