Yesterday (October 8, 2005) I drove a long loop east over the Sierra at Carson Pass, then south over Monitor Pass and down Hiway 395, and returning over Tioga Pass.

There were lots of spectacular fall colors, though this is not going to end up being the most spectacular fall in the Sierra. It looked like quite a few groves were past their peak, having lost many leaves. (Though the ghostly effect of leafless aspen groves is also interesting.)

There were still some great colors on Sonora Pass Hiway east of the summit and near Conway Summit north of Mono Lake. There are some striking stands of color on the Markleeville side of Monitor Pass but the extensive groves near the pass seemed past their prime. I saw other smaller but striking patches here and there.

I’ve never seen so many photographers in this area before. At some aspen groves there was no place to park. At one point there must have been over 20 cars stopped along the road near Conway Summit. All the motels in Lee Vining were full.

I’ll post a few of my photos later. And to prove that my sense of irony is intact, the first of my “fall color” photos will be of the aftermath of a range fire near Monitor Pass.