Скачать или смотреть Photo Highlights of Beautiful Fall colors on Lake Sabrina Road and South Lake Road in Eastern Sierra

Saturday October 11, 2025 of our 4-day trip in California eastern Sierra was dedicated to the high-country canyons west of Bishop. From Bishop (Elevation 4,195 ft), we headed west on Highway 168 (Bishop Creek Canyon Road), climbing relentlessly into the heart of the high Sierra. This route delivered an unmatched concentration of color. Our targets were the upper reaches of the canyon: Lake Sabrina Road (Elevation 9,128 ft) and South Lake Road (Elevation 9,868 ft) - a corridor of brilliant aspens and pristine alpine lakes. The alpine scenery was nothing short of magical. The sheer beauty along both routes was mesmerizing.

Every turn revealed another burst of color—golden canopies glowing in the sun, mirrored in the glassy surfaces of the mountain lakes. The crisp alpine air and reflections of the changing leaves created a truly magical scene.

However, the secret is clearly out. Due to the good timing and the weekend rush, the parking lots at both Lake Sabrina and South Lake were completely full. The massive weekend crowds were out in full force and served as a testament to the raw, irresistible beauty of the scene. So, we adjusted and adapted, turning our drive into a slow, photographic safari, capturing stunning videos and photos from inside our vehicle—the gold and crimson walls of the canyon passing slowly by.

Crucially, we noted that some aspen stands at this high elevation (above 9,000 feet) were already bare, suggesting that the absolute peak color window may be the first week of October rather than the second.

This YouTube video showcases the photo highlights of our driving tour of Lake Sabrina Road and South Lake Road.