From high-alpine bowls to creekside trails, the Eastern Sierra lights up in October. Use this Aspen Grove Map and guide to plan stops, find easy pullouts, and line up shots when the leaves glow.
Quaking aspen are the headliners—bright gold with flashes of orange—most common from roughly 7,000–10,000 feet along creeks, lakes, and canyon bottoms. On valley floors and lower mouths of canyons, Fremont cottonwood carry a deep yellow; willows add buttery strips along water edges. Because groves sit at a spread of elevations, color usually rolls downhill in waves: high lakes first, mid-canyons next, and finally the Owens Valley cottonwoods.
Description: Ranch country with massive cottonwoods and long views toward Mt. Tom and the Sierra wall. Color here runs later than the high groves.
Shooting: Golden hour side-light on cottonwoods; use fence lines and dirt lanes for leading lines.
Directions: From Bishop, north on US-395; left on Pine Creek Rd toward Rovana. Explore spurs where legal and safe to pull out.
Description: The marquee display—tight canyons packed with aspen bands and creekside glow.
Shooting: Start near Aspendell for reliable groves; work creek reflections and S-curves in the road. Dawn for calm water, last light for glow.
Directions: From Bishop, take Hwy 168 west. Frequent pullouts; respect private drives and posted no-parking.
Description: A shaded creek corridor beneath aspen and willow; popular bike path with easy foot access.
Shooting: Low-angle trail curves, leaf-strewn water, and intimate canopy shots.
Directions: Access from near Tom’s Place off US-395; park at trailheads and stroll sections on foot.
Description: Early-turning corridor with roadside aspen and a string of lakes up high.
Shooting: Work creek meanders below Rock Creek Lake; for density, walk the road zone between Iris and Big Meadow campgrounds.
Directions: West from US-395 on Rock Creek Rd to Mosquito Flat. Many pullouts; shoulder parking only where posted.
Description: Broad U-shaped valley with long aspen bands and high-peak backdrops; best stands are beyond the first mile.
Shooting: Wide frames of ridgeline color; side trip to Horsetail Falls for water-and-gold compositions.
Directions: From US-395, turn onto McGee Creek Rd to the trailhead/pack station. Hike up-canyon for the densest groves.
Description: Classic bowl with mirrored foliage beneath Mt. Morrison.
Shooting: Best light is early/late; the far side footpath offers layered shots across the lake.
Directions: From US-395, take Convict Lake Rd to the main lot; loop the lake trail for angles.
Description: Lakes ringed with smaller aspen pockets and granite domes; easy to sample several basins in one session.
Shooting: Calm morning water for reflections; stitch panoramas from higher pullouts on Lake Mary Rd.
Directions: Exit US-395 to Mammoth Lakes; follow signs to the Lakes Basin.
Description: A loop drive loaded with shoreline groves and easy turnouts.
Shooting: Work the big aspen stands behind Silver and Grant; shoot across the lakes for full-grove reflections.
Directions: Take Hwy 158 off US-395; numerous signed turnouts and lakeside lots.
Description: Steep canyon with dense creekside aspen and granite walls; short walks from pullouts get you to water.
Shooting: Backlit creek sections mid-morning; long lenses compress gold bands against cliffs.
Directions: From Lee Vining, take Hwy 120 west; use signed pullouts only.
Description: Waterfalls, beaver ponds, and a narrow canyon lined with aspen—one of the most photogenic hikes in the region.
Shooting: Frame cascades with color; layered telephoto shots back down-canyon are excellent in late light.
Directions: From US-395, take Lundy Lake Rd; park at the trailhead at canyon’s end and hike in.
Description: High-elevation lakes with early color and big-sky alpine scenes.
Shooting: Use the lakes as mirrors at sunrise; bring layers—wind can kick up quickly.
Directions: From US-395, take Virginia Lakes Rd to the end; explore shorelines on foot.
Description: Hillsides of aspen visible right from US-395—panoramic and iconic.
Shooting: Wide lenses from highway turnouts; compressing layers with a 70–200mm works well at midday.
Directions: North of Lee Vining on US-395; use marked turnouts only.
Description: Quiet side road through meadows and heavy aspen stands en route to a lake trailhead.
Shooting: Golden tunnel road shots; early section of the trail has the best color density.
Directions: Turn west on Green Creek Rd (south of Bridgeport) from US-395; mixed pavement/dirt.
Highly visible roadside color with easy access and big valley backdrops; often among the first Mono Basin zones to pop.
Broad hillsides of aspen above Mono Lake; turns early—watch reports, as wind can strip it fast.
Jeep-track network through rolling aspen country; brilliant when timed, but bring high-clearance and pack-out etiquette.
Creek corridor west of Bridgeport with classic gold along the road and trail; hot springs area nearby (separate access/use rules).
Small, less-visited drainages and ranch corridors hold pockets of aspen and willow; good for quiet roadside frames. Verify access—mix of public and private parcels.
Late-season color along the river corridor and side canyons; Obsidian Campground to Molybdenite Canyon shows broad aspen benches.
Open meadow systems with willow/aspen bands along CA-108 near the Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center; mind posted restrictions.
High-meadow valley on CA-108 with willow/aspen color and easy trail access; often lingers a bit later than higher bowls.
Aspen swaths around Monitor Pass with side views toward Heenan Lake; short dirt spur approaches Leviathan Peak fire-lookout knoll (check conditions/closures).
Peak used to land late September; recent years trend 2–3 weeks later. Plan for a mid-October core window, but be flexible—early wind or snow can end it quickly. Work high basins first, then track the wave downhill week by week.
Source: EVeg Mid Region - U.S. Forest Service http://www.fs.fed.us/
Map Copyright CCCARTO 2025