The aspens of the June Lake Loop usually reach their peak in October, among the last in Mono County's long fall color season. The color starts in the high canyons in late September and works its way down to the loop, where groves around Silver Lake, Grant Lake and the village turn gold against granite and dark pine.
When the color comes
Fall color in Mono County is a slow wave that rolls downhill. The aspens in the highest canyons begin to turn in late September, and the color moves lower week by week. The June Lake Loop is one of the last places in the county to peak, usually in October, which Mono County Tourism calls the grand finale of the season.
No two years are the same. A dry summer, an early cold snap or a windstorm can move the peak by a week or more, or strip the leaves overnight. Mono County Tourism and California Fall Color both publish color reports through the season, and they are worth checking before you drive.
On the loop
Silver Lake. Groves of aspen climb the slopes above the lake and the creeks that feed it, under the cliffs of Carson Peak. Come at sunrise, when the water is calm.
Grant Lake and the north loop. Open slopes of aspen turn gold above the reservoir, with wide views back toward the peaks.
The village and Gull Lake. Aspens line the shore of Gull Lake and the streets of the village. An easy walk from the chalet.
Fern Lake trail. About a mile down-canyon from the chalet, the trail climbs roughly 1.6 miles and 1,600 feet through aspen toward Carson Peak. Steep, short and spectacular in color.
Parker Bench. From the Parker Lake trailhead, a longer hike leads up to Parker Bench and its aspens, with Mono Lake spread out below.
Within half an hour
Lundy Canyon. North of Lee Vining, one of the finest aspen walks in the Sierra, with beaver ponds, waterfalls and cliffs. Often at its best in early October.
Lee Vining Canyon. The canyon below Tioga Pass on Highway 120, where aspens fill the creek bottoms beneath granite walls.
Conway Summit. North of Mono Lake on 395, a famous overlook of a huge aspen grove at the foot of the mountains.
Photographing the color
- The best light comes in the first hour after the sun clears the eastern hills, and the last hour before it drops behind the Sierra crest.
- Calm mornings give reflections on Silver Lake, Gull Lake and the beaver ponds of Lundy Canyon.
- Backlit aspens glow. Shoot toward the sun with the leaves between you and the light.
- Overcast days are good for close work in the groves.
- Bring layers. Fall mornings at June Lake are often below freezing.
Fall at the chalet
Fall is a quiet, beautiful time to stay. The summer crowds are gone, the fire is lit in the evenings, and the hydrotherapy tub is at its best on a cold, clear night. Keep an eye on the weather if you plan to cross Tioga Pass, since the first storm of the season can close the road. See our Tioga Pass guide.
Common questions
When do the leaves change on the June Lake Loop?
Usually in October. Mono County’s fall color moves downhill from the highest canyons in late September, and the June Lake Loop is one of the last areas to peak. Exact timing shifts with each year’s weather, so check current color reports.
Where are the best fall colors near June Lake?
On the loop itself, the aspen groves around Silver Lake, Grant Lake and the village. Nearby, Lundy Canyon, Lee Vining Canyon and Parker Bench are all excellent, and all within about half an hour.
Is fall a good time to visit June Lake?
It is one of the best. The summer crowds have gone, days are mild and clear, wildlife is active, and the light is beautiful. Nights are cold, and an early storm can close Tioga Road into Yosemite.