Fall Colors: Sunday Morning Update – The nightly freezing temperatures have taken their toll now in many of the higher locations. You will see a lot of leaf burn now and a loss of the brilliant colors.

Down in Bishop and Round Valley, the color show is just getting started and it’s amazing. 

Best areas for Fall Colors now: Lower and Middle MC Gee Creek has some peaking colors and some effects from the colder weather. About the same on Lower and Middle Rock Creek Canyon Road with the upper section past peak.

Bishop Creek Canyon has some great colors still in the lower and middle elevations with the upper elevations past peak.

Old Mammoth still has some color but the colors are starting to fade with the nighly freezes as is the Twin Lakes area in the Mammoth Lakes Basin.

Round Valley, and Bishop. I have not had a chance to make it to June Lake but I would expect the colors to be good in that area as well. 

Mountain Biking: All trails above 9000 feet are now done for the season it appears. For those who don’t mind riding a mix of snow and dirt, you can still ride the Bike Park on your own accord.

Trails out of Canyon Lodge and over in the East Bowl by chairs 9 and 15 are still ride-able now. The Snowman has also loved riding thru a mix of snow and dirt. Tons of fun for sure, just layer up for the cold weather.

The good news is we have some of the best mountain biking around in the lower elevations during the Fall and Winter months.

My go-to spots for the next few months will be Rock Creek Canyon by Tom Place, The Big Buttermilk – Tungsten Loop area, and Chipmunk Canyon out of Bishop.

Late morning to mid-day is the perfect time to get out for a long ride with great riding temperatures.

Hiking: You will find a mix of snow and ice on the ground from 8500 feet up now. If you’re not used to hiking in the snow and ice get some poles and a good pair of waterproof boots before you hit the trail.

Footloose Sports has all the hiking gear you need and the staff knows the local hiking trails well. Check them out when you’re in town and be properly prepared for hiking in the snow.

You also have the option of using the local paved paths around town. Those paths get plowed out and should be awesome for a hike right now. I have spent hours with my kids on those paths, they are one of the best improvements the town ever made.

A steeper trail hike with snow some a mix of snow and dirt would be the Sherwin Lake Trails just outside of town. Last but not least lots of people like to hike the Lower Rock Creek Trail, it’s a great option when there is snow in the higher elevations.