This Slice of California Rivals New England Fall Foliage (It’s Peaking Right Now)

We’ve chased fall colors all over the U.S., from blazing maples in New England to golden aspens in Colorado. So when I heard there were leaf-peeping opportunities in California, I got excited — though I had no idea what to expect. Would it be a subtle hint of gold tucked into the mountains, or a full-on riot of color that stops you in your tracks?

I’d heard about a spot called Sagehen Summit, supposedly one of the first places in California to hit peak color every year. It’s tucked in the Eastern Sierra, not far from Mammoth Lakes. Late September seemed about right, so we swung by on the 26th to see if the hype was real. We were not disappointed.

Sagehen Summit

We punched Sagehen Summit into the GPS and followed the directions, which took us by Mono Lake and into the forest. Soon we were winding through a dense forest of towering pines. I wanted to step out and wander but also wanted to get to the fall leaves early so we kept course.

It’s a stunning forest, but also a little disorienting. For a moment, I had no idea exactly where we were as even my offline Google Maps weren’t that helpful due to the pixelated map view. I’d highly recommend having a reliable offline map and GPS to get you through this area because there’s a complex network of dirt roads through here. Signs help but it can get confusing.

Right after we hit Sage Hen Meadows Road, the first splash of yellow appeared — a couple of aspens in full peak. My heart did a little happy dance; I knew we were on the right track. Then, just behind the pines, a whole wall of orange revealed itself. Fall was officially in motion.

As we drove down the narrow dirt road, aspens flanked us on both sides, glowing in full peak formation.

The fiery orange covering the hillside gave me serious New England vibes — who knew California could pull off that kind of fall magic? It was absolutely stunning.

And just when you think the view can’t get any better, the surrounding mountains stretch into the distance, their rugged peaks framing like a perfectly painted backdrop.

We found a pullout on the north side of the aspen groves that has a great view of the hillside.

After getting some good shots at the first spot, we headed to another turnout on the west side of the road. This little pullout is perfect for photos — aspens surround you on all sides, and you can even wander onto the road itself for some striking shots framed by the trees.

There aren’t many turnout points along this stretch, so if it’s busy, be mindful of other visitors. Don’t hog the spot too long; everyone deserves a chance to soak in the colors.

I launched my drone to capture the explosion of color from above. The shots and video were amazing — until my drone decided to stage a little rebellion. A warning popped up: motor straining. I frantically tried to bring it back, but as it got closer, it started flailing like a confused bird.

I realized it was headed straight for the hard, rocky path below. In a moment of pure desperation, I crash-landed it into an aspen tree, where it got stuck like it was made to fit. Cue the climbing adventure to rescue it. Miraculously, the drone still worked, and the footage was fine, but let’s just say trust has been… slightly eroded.

In addition to some of those turnout points, I’d recommend trying to drive along the narrow dirt road that snakes its way up to the summit. We didn’t drive all the way — it looked a bit too bumpy for my taste in a brand new Grand Cherokee L — but we went far enough to snag an incredible view. For reference, the spot is right here: 37.84750845624531, -118.84282345105227.

Final word

I’ll admit, I had my doubts about chasing fall colors in this part of the Sierra Nevada. I’d been dreaming of returning to New England or checking out the Upper Peninsula of Michigan for peak foliage. But for our very first venture into the Sierras, this trip absolutely exceeded expectations. It’s kind of nice to have an amazing fall experience on your first outing — it takes the pressure off trying to “catch it just right,” especially when weather can be so unpredictable.

If you’re in the area, I’d definitely recommend making the trip out to Sagehen Summit — just keep in mind that the colors turn early. And for anyone reading this in 2025: as of September 26, it’s not quite at full peak yet, so there’s still time to catch it at its fiery best.