North Lake
Bishop Creek Canyon, California · 9,252 ft
Typical peak
Sep 21 – Sep 29
low confidence in typical timing.
Best light
Best at sunrise
Classic view faces WNW (285°)
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.
Seasonal model estimate. Timing remains uncertain; check recent reports before traveling. Source: seasonal timing model. Calculated .
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.
Leaves are typically down on Nov 1, 2026. Color starts around Sep 4.
This season so far
First frost
Oct 12
12 nights at or below 32°F since Aug 1.
Last 14 days
48°F / 31°F
Average daily high and low.
Modeled weather for these coordinates from the Open-Meteo historical archive, Aug 1 – Oct 31; not a station record. Reported peak is the median date of approved peak-color reports.
Plan the light
North Lake on September 25, 2026, the center of its typical peak window.
| 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.
Local terrain can hide the sun; allow extra time to reach your viewpoint.
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.
Classic composition faces 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.
Nearby locations
Within 100 miles in a straight line; road distances can be longer.