![road with yellow aspen tree forest in the fall](https://mammoth-lakes.imgix.net/images/blogs/Monitor-Pass-10.10.23-Photo-Credit-Jeff-Simpson-Mono-County-Tourism-5-1024x683.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=02f62402742c9a24205e38ce54eaad5d 320w, https://mammoth-lakes.imgix.net/images/blogs/Monitor-Pass-10.10.23-Photo-Credit-Jeff-Simpson-Mono-County-Tourism-5-1024x683.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=2f23eb0676b19488f05bd80c9ad0a9b0 540w, https://mammoth-lakes.imgix.net/images/blogs/Monitor-Pass-10.10.23-Photo-Credit-Jeff-Simpson-Mono-County-Tourism-5-1024x683.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=6aad3bbb9c59d056e8b22b17571af554 768w, https://mammoth-lakes.imgix.net/images/blogs/Monitor-Pass-10.10.23-Photo-Credit-Jeff-Simpson-Mono-County-Tourism-5-1024x683.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=821539408ff79d99d48690c46694cbb8 1024w)
![road with yellow and orange aspen tree forest in the fall](https://mammoth-lakes.imgix.net/images/blogs/Summers-Meadow-Road-10.11.23-Photo-Credit-Jeff-Simpson-Mono-County-Tourism-5-1024x683.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=af8d30f2601767c1ad8fc19c6e063f18 320w, https://mammoth-lakes.imgix.net/images/blogs/Summers-Meadow-Road-10.11.23-Photo-Credit-Jeff-Simpson-Mono-County-Tourism-5-1024x683.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=3be5411ed7c7806d182c5c69a720bdda 540w, https://mammoth-lakes.imgix.net/images/blogs/Summers-Meadow-Road-10.11.23-Photo-Credit-Jeff-Simpson-Mono-County-Tourism-5-1024x683.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=57313d512525c9880fbbdd1133b2990a 768w, https://mammoth-lakes.imgix.net/images/blogs/Summers-Meadow-Road-10.11.23-Photo-Credit-Jeff-Simpson-Mono-County-Tourism-5-1024x683.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=42f5e3eca7c127a2bece59ce1e46afb0 1024w)
![aspen trees in the fall turning yellow](https://mammoth-lakes.imgix.net/images/blogs/Tioga-Pass-9.9.23-_-Photo-Credit-Samantha-Lindberg-Mammoth-Lakes-Tourism-7-1024x683.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=5f4258d34a7e9f3d7407e06156a26dbb 320w, https://mammoth-lakes.imgix.net/images/blogs/Tioga-Pass-9.9.23-_-Photo-Credit-Samantha-Lindberg-Mammoth-Lakes-Tourism-7-1024x683.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=0fd93ce72d205aac62e488d788af2a76 540w, https://mammoth-lakes.imgix.net/images/blogs/Tioga-Pass-9.9.23-_-Photo-Credit-Samantha-Lindberg-Mammoth-Lakes-Tourism-7-1024x683.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=9998d558928c5d204d350021326a077a 768w, https://mammoth-lakes.imgix.net/images/blogs/Tioga-Pass-9.9.23-_-Photo-Credit-Samantha-Lindberg-Mammoth-Lakes-Tourism-7-1024x683.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=abe6157acfa9d18e20b6ece13003bf12 1024w)
![large forest of yellow aspen trees on mountain](https://mammoth-lakes.imgix.net/images/blogs/Sagehen-Summit-9.9.23-_-Photo-Credit-Samantha-Lindberg-Mammoth-Lakes-Tourism-1024x683.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=f6ecb109b86bec0ab628e845fa3d9211 320w, https://mammoth-lakes.imgix.net/images/blogs/Sagehen-Summit-9.9.23-_-Photo-Credit-Samantha-Lindberg-Mammoth-Lakes-Tourism-1024x683.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=d3914be2114f359a1f8eca185aa51a8b 540w, https://mammoth-lakes.imgix.net/images/blogs/Sagehen-Summit-9.9.23-_-Photo-Credit-Samantha-Lindberg-Mammoth-Lakes-Tourism-1024x683.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=debb676f4449f75f71fbe0a3b25b2468 768w, https://mammoth-lakes.imgix.net/images/blogs/Sagehen-Summit-9.9.23-_-Photo-Credit-Samantha-Lindberg-Mammoth-Lakes-Tourism-1024x683.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=22fb007bee4c3dc7d557560233a1ba7d 1024w)
![yellow aspen trees in autumn with mountains](https://mammoth-lakes.imgix.net/images/blogs/June-Lake-Loop-9.9.23_-Photo-Credit-Samantha-Lindberg-Mammoth-Lakes-Tourism-2-1024x683.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=ed412e6cf1b0a51ab840fff3c27406a0 320w, https://mammoth-lakes.imgix.net/images/blogs/June-Lake-Loop-9.9.23_-Photo-Credit-Samantha-Lindberg-Mammoth-Lakes-Tourism-2-1024x683.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=41c2afb49e36ba5487466ebb0b9fdf3b 540w, https://mammoth-lakes.imgix.net/images/blogs/June-Lake-Loop-9.9.23_-Photo-Credit-Samantha-Lindberg-Mammoth-Lakes-Tourism-2-1024x683.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=2cd5f0d6c68ab7d488803f7c040c9523 768w, https://mammoth-lakes.imgix.net/images/blogs/June-Lake-Loop-9.9.23_-Photo-Credit-Samantha-Lindberg-Mammoth-Lakes-Tourism-2-1024x683.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=31776ad6c0790473c3c1f7a036e75d6c 1024w)
![woman and dog walking in aspen forest in autumn](https://mammoth-lakes.imgix.net/images/blogs/Jetsabel-Mammoth-Lakes-_-Photo-Credit-Samantha-Lindberg-Mammoth-Lakes-Tourism-8-1024x683.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=1015a29e286e97fdc6ce9298474d9145 320w, https://mammoth-lakes.imgix.net/images/blogs/Jetsabel-Mammoth-Lakes-_-Photo-Credit-Samantha-Lindberg-Mammoth-Lakes-Tourism-8-1024x683.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=c84f175a8d57e21d515f3d704a1e91f9 540w, https://mammoth-lakes.imgix.net/images/blogs/Jetsabel-Mammoth-Lakes-_-Photo-Credit-Samantha-Lindberg-Mammoth-Lakes-Tourism-8-1024x683.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=36e5ec31680ba0ed4dcb50625c19ade6 768w, https://mammoth-lakes.imgix.net/images/blogs/Jetsabel-Mammoth-Lakes-_-Photo-Credit-Samantha-Lindberg-Mammoth-Lakes-Tourism-8-1024x683.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=0d4936c0633e230b38f96b808c15537a 1024w)
![fall colors on trees with mountains and lake](https://mammoth-lakes.imgix.net/images/Convict-Lake-10-medium.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=87b0d83d9e4397935ca2e2de89ff3bd0 320w, https://mammoth-lakes.imgix.net/images/Convict-Lake-10-medium.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=2236441a8d528be507cc67a7ee720e38 540w, https://mammoth-lakes.imgix.net/images/Convict-Lake-10-medium.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=737d3b613c38f5ec4a212c158577771d 768w, https://mammoth-lakes.imgix.net/images/Convict-Lake-10-medium.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=712c1d4d7f21a0a9780a4517dd415ac0 1024w, https://mammoth-lakes.imgix.net/images/Convict-Lake-10-medium.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=427b6b4fd4728733c323fa45b47f1d07 1200w, https://mammoth-lakes.imgix.net/images/Convict-Lake-10-medium.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=e546d2502b1d62724687449f873aa726 1280w)
![yellow aspen trees in the fall with mountains](https://mammoth-lakes.imgix.net/images/5D5A6298-medium-Patrick-Griley.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=1e328ef9521bff088791890a0052369b 320w, https://mammoth-lakes.imgix.net/images/5D5A6298-medium-Patrick-Griley.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=b84cb9954cf7fbbf6b45bc51ff00cd06 540w, https://mammoth-lakes.imgix.net/images/5D5A6298-medium-Patrick-Griley.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=ba9e61e67cc1fbfc0d7ce86d89bbe27d 768w, https://mammoth-lakes.imgix.net/images/5D5A6298-medium-Patrick-Griley.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=870245971e974b7eaed1353dcb6993f7 1024w, https://mammoth-lakes.imgix.net/images/5D5A6298-medium-Patrick-Griley.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=d514dee9b8fa2d0c61d901a437efeccb 1200w, https://mammoth-lakes.imgix.net/images/5D5A6298-medium-Patrick-Griley.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=a12b012c5e0a889e9ddcffb491e44774 1280w)
How long is fall in the Eastern Sierra?
The Eastern Sierra's elevations range from approximately 5,000 to 10,000 feet (1,512 to 3,048 meters), which means that fall colors peak at different times. They start earliest in the highest elevations and move down into lower elevations later in the season. Mammoth Lakes, June Lake and Northern Mono County tend to peak around mid-October, but color can start as early as mid-September.
What types of Eastern Sierra trees change colors in the fall?
Look for aspens, cottonwood, and willow to change color. Aspen are the most prevalent trees near Mammoth Lakes.
Why do the leaves change colors?
The reason we see fall colors is part of an annual cycle that begins in spring and summer when green chlorophyll pigments are active in cells that make food for the tree to grow. It's during this time that leaves also contain lesser amounts of yellow, orange and red pigments that are masked by the chlorophyll. The occurrence of fall colors is actually a disappearance of chlorophyll.
What determines the intensity of fall colors?
The intensity of leaf color is determined by the air's temperature and moisture. Warm, dry days and cool nights (under 45 degrees F or 7 degrees C) mean brilliant colors; rainy days and warm nights result in less intense coloration.
Why do different leaves turn different color?
Different trees have pigments called xanthophylls (yellows), carotenoids (yellows, oranges, and reds), and anthocyanin (red). Anthocyanin is the result of trapped plant sugar, produced by the leaf when days are sunny and nights are cold.
More Posts About Fall In Mammoth Lakes
![](https://mammoth-lakes.imgix.net/images/blogs/5D5A6298-large.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=213&q=80&w=320&s=39a9cee63a06b797634e7c77e3d8e211 320w, https://mammoth-lakes.imgix.net/images/blogs/5D5A6298-large.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=360&q=80&w=540&s=9e2df60004bbdd538df283add3459438 540w, https://mammoth-lakes.imgix.net/images/blogs/5D5A6298-large.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=512&q=80&w=768&s=1cb9e5d40d1864a1294f9a51d38c0b6c 768w, https://mammoth-lakes.imgix.net/images/blogs/5D5A6298-large.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=683&q=80&w=1024&s=01f252580eb848b3b237ad7075644107 1024w, https://mammoth-lakes.imgix.net/images/blogs/5D5A6298-large.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=800&q=80&w=1200&s=91ec375feef36bb00351c4a809548226 1200w, https://mammoth-lakes.imgix.net/images/blogs/5D5A6298-large.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=960&q=80&w=1440&s=b161112d1816f1c627645b78b87a838a 1440w, https://mammoth-lakes.imgix.net/images/blogs/5D5A6298-large.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1280&q=80&w=1920&s=f51e16b1f9941569f1cd54ed3f0c442e 1920w)
![](https://mammoth-lakes.imgix.net/images/blogs/2019-Snider-Dakota-9570_0-2-scaled.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=213&q=80&w=320&s=5a76c0cb6a77687d83d96e6a76baca59 320w, https://mammoth-lakes.imgix.net/images/blogs/2019-Snider-Dakota-9570_0-2-scaled.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=360&q=80&w=540&s=8b575d09b4ca4d204b7167c1c850bc15 540w, https://mammoth-lakes.imgix.net/images/blogs/2019-Snider-Dakota-9570_0-2-scaled.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=512&q=80&w=768&s=b01d93744ea67c19383b9b4c19882e54 768w, https://mammoth-lakes.imgix.net/images/blogs/2019-Snider-Dakota-9570_0-2-scaled.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=683&q=80&w=1024&s=9a4c6014f6484ec4d42b25c08f305840 1024w, https://mammoth-lakes.imgix.net/images/blogs/2019-Snider-Dakota-9570_0-2-scaled.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=800&q=80&w=1200&s=f4124ca5c76db90226165fabe1349b1a 1200w, https://mammoth-lakes.imgix.net/images/blogs/2019-Snider-Dakota-9570_0-2-scaled.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=960&q=80&w=1440&s=885aa36ea914d7687afda563d0d2bcd7 1440w, https://mammoth-lakes.imgix.net/images/blogs/2019-Snider-Dakota-9570_0-2-scaled.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1280&q=80&w=1920&s=3bbe5ce846f9d52efd0f61fd86a9f97c 1920w)
![](https://mammoth-lakes.imgix.net/images/blogs/20181024FallColorJuneLakeLoopWRAY15.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=213&q=80&w=320&s=c952c69864c178007bda9a3b4242e5c5 320w, https://mammoth-lakes.imgix.net/images/blogs/20181024FallColorJuneLakeLoopWRAY15.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=360&q=80&w=540&s=7c80e54236dcd88003c7519e589286d9 540w, https://mammoth-lakes.imgix.net/images/blogs/20181024FallColorJuneLakeLoopWRAY15.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=512&q=80&w=768&s=2f0e096547c865a37c5273bbf707bdbc 768w, https://mammoth-lakes.imgix.net/images/blogs/20181024FallColorJuneLakeLoopWRAY15.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=683&q=80&w=1024&s=c0b0b8205af7fb2a6107b7b796932132 1024w, https://mammoth-lakes.imgix.net/images/blogs/20181024FallColorJuneLakeLoopWRAY15.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=800&q=80&w=1200&s=e6edaa39acbc2eaf6e174fb8992bd518 1182w)