North Lake
Bishop Creek Canyon, California · 9,252 ft
Aspen groves ring a shallow lake directly under the Piute Crags, and on a windless morning the whole rock wall reflects. Peak gold usually lands in the first week of October.
Typical peak
Sep 21 – Sep 29
Long range. Treat as a planning estimate only.
Best light
Best at sunrise
Classic view faces WNW (285°)
Crowds
high
Busy through peak. Be parked before sunrise or expect to walk in.
Getting there
Drive CA-168 west from Bishop about 17 miles, turn right on North Lake Road just past Aspendell, then follow two miles of narrow dirt to the day-use lot and walk 200 yards to the shore.
What turns here
- quaking aspen
- willow
Color progression
Typical peak Sep 25Typical color progression for North Lake. No change from Aug 18 to Sep 4. First color from Sep 4 to Sep 13. Approaching peak from Sep 13 to Sep 21. Peak from Sep 21 to Sep 29. Past peak from Sep 29 to Oct 9. Bare from Oct 9 to Oct 23.
Color starts around Sep 4.
Light at peak
North Lake on September 25, the day it typically peaks. Knowing when color arrives is one thing. Knowing where the sun will be is another.
| Event | Time |
|---|---|
| First light (blue hour) Sun 6° below horizon | 6:18 AM |
| Sunrise Rises E · 90° | 6:44 AM |
| Morning golden hour ends 34 min of low, warm light | 7:19 AM |
| Solar noon Highest sun, flattest light | 12:46 PM |
| Evening golden hour starts 34 min before sunset | 6:13 PM |
| Sunset Sets W · 269° | 6:47 PM |
| Last light (blue hour) Sun 6° below horizon | 7:13 PM |
Times in America/Los Angeles · day length 12h 3m · computed from NOAA solar equations
Which way to point the camera
Sunrise: front-lit
Sun behind you. Flat, even light — accurate color, little drama. Good for wide valley scenes, weak for single trees.
Sunset: backlit
Sun behind the canopy — leaves glow translucent. The shot most people are after. Expect flare; a hood or a hand helps.
Based on the classic composition here facing WNW (285°).
Shooting conditions
Glassy water, wind blur, and what the cloud will do to your light.
Recent reports
What people actually saw here. Been recently? Add yours.