Fall Colors, October 2020
View of Mono Lake on our first and last day
Although the massive Creek Fire was still burning, we chanced a trip to the Eastern Sierra anyway. The winds shifted often during our trip: compare this smoky view of Mono Lake (left) on day one with this clear view (right) two days later.
Green Creek with Aspens
Turn your sound on to hear the singing of the creek
North Lake Reflection
Despite our smoky arrival the day before, we were greeted by clear skies and stillness in the morning. This is the overflow pond near North Lake out of Bishop, CA,
North Lake
One more stunning view before setting off on our hike up to Blue Lake (nice hike but the colors were better at lower altitudes so no photos of that.
View down Bishop Creek
After our hike to Blue Lake we headed over to South Lake and were rewarded by these views of Bishop Creek
Purple Air Reading of 701!
The next morning we awoke to dense smoke in Mammoth from the Creek Fire. We had seen a pyrocumulonimbus cloud boil up the night before and the winds funneled the smoke into Mammoth. I checked the Purple Air monitor and was stunned to see a measurement of 701!
Conway Summit
Driving north we found clear skies within 10 miles and enjoyed a smoke free day.
Road to Green Lake
The unpaved road to Green Lake was not an easy drive with 20 miles of washboard and rough road but we were rewarded with views like this.
Hiking on the Trail to Green Lake
It felt euphoric to walk through this tunnel of golden aspen
Green Lake
Green Lake is, indeed, green. It's also surrounded by some really interesting geology.
Beaver Dam
We encountered this impressive beaver dam (left) on our hike, including this large stump (right), the remains of their industrious work on a mature aspen.
The solace of leaves
Here's your reward for making it to the end of this photo essay: a short meditative video of aspen leaves.