Virginia Lakes - Eastern Sierra Fall Colors
Hi friends and happy Monday! Fall is soon approaching and that means Autumn colors are on the way! This week we’re heading to a favorite spot of mine to enjoy California’s Fall foliage…join me at Virginia Lakes.
Virginia Lakes is a basin of lakes located in the Eastern Sierra Nevada in Mono County, California, just a few miles off U.S. Highway 395. I created this post on the Fall colors here (and a few of my favorite spots in this area) last October after a visit, and I’m excited to share them with you now so you can plan your own visit this Fall...and make sure to check out my full Eastern Sierra Fall colors overview blog post for 20 incredible Fall spots!
Little Virginia Lake
Location
Hidden just six miles off Highway 395 from Conway Summit (in between Lee Vining and Bridgeport), Virginia Lakes consists of nearly a dozen alpine lakes located at 9,000 to over 11,000 feet high in the Sierra. A short 6 mile gravel road leads to 3 popular lakes which can easily be seen without any hiking. Trumbull Lake, Little Virginia Lake and Big Virginia Lake are all immediately accessible by vehicles and offer both camping and fishing. Blue Lake, Red Lake and Cooney Lake can be reached by a short hike, while Frog Lakes and Summit Lake require more strenuous hiking. Tucked away between Dunderberg Peak and Black Mountain, the Virginia Lakes Basin is isolated enough to feel remote & quiet (keeping the larger crowds away), but close enough to enjoy a day trip from Lee Vining, Bridgeport or even the Mammoth Lakes area.
Blue Lake from above
Fall Foliage
For anyone strictly visiting this area to enjoy the incredible Autumn colors, this spot is normally one of the first places the colors peak, thanks in part to the high elevations here (often beginning the last week of September or the first week in October). While I absolutely encourage heading out for a hike to enjoy the scenery, moments after you turn onto the Virginia Lakes Road from Highway 395 you are met with towering aspen groves densely packed along both sides of the road, and it’s a delightful 5 mile drive as you’re escorted by the golden colors all around you. The rich aspen groves grow as you approach Big Virginia Lake...you can simply enjoy the views here, but I would encourage you to head out on a hike. There are multiple day hikes and lakes you can hike to for magnificent views and more Fall colors...I’ll share one of my favorites below.
Virginia Lakes basin fall foliage
Blue Lake, Virginia Lakes Basin
Blue Lake & Cooney Cabin Hike
The Virginia Lakes trailhead is located right off a large parking area with both upper and lower sections, so parking is unlikely to be an issue. Near the parking lot are restrooms and a Hoover Wilderness information bulletin board...make sure to check it out for important trail and animal activity information as you head out. The rocky dirt trail begins by heading up through an open and exposed area (with great lake views). As you reach the tree line you’re greeted by the Hoover Wilderness sign and the path splits briefly. Take the left fork in the trail to see where the water runs into Blue Lake for quiet shaded views of the water, or continue to the right along the most direct path. Quickly the paths reconnect and as you gain elevation you can easily see where this lake got its name. Blue Lake sits at 9,886 feet of elevation, and the water is pristine and a unique shade of blue (so clear you can see down to the bottom of the lake). There are numerous spots to stop and take in the views...my favorite is once you have climbed directly above the lake, looking down at the gleaming waters below is nothing short of magnificent and you can see some of the ancient Bristlecone pine from here (some of the oldest living trees in the world).
Just over a mile into the hike you reach Cooney's Cabin above Blue Lake. This old miner's cabin is named after miner and woodcutter J.P. Cooney. He built this cabin here a century ago when mining in the mountains. This cabin might look a little worse for wear, but at well over 100 years old it’s fascinating to see. Wooden beams lean, supporting the far side of the cabin, and inside the remnants of an old bed frame and table can still be seen. You can call it a day here for a 2 mile round trip hike (particularly if you’re feeling any signs of altitude sickness), but if you’re up for continued adventure, after passing the cabin, continue on the short distance to Cooney Lake. You can hear the rapids flowing along the way, and the trees and vegetation surrounding the lake are beautiful. This is also a popular turn around spot, but continuing on from this lake you’ll next hit Frog Lakes at 10,370 feet in elevation, and even many competent hikers turn around here. However, for a real steep challenge, one could continue up another 1.25 miles to Burro Pass at 11,100 feet and enjoy views of northern Yosemite National Park (I personally haven’t endured the switchbacks to the summit, but many hikers I’ve spoken to rave about the views, so perhaps on my next trip I’ll give it a go).
Cooney's Cabin interior
Cooney's Cabin Virginia Lakes
No Hiking Required Lakes
If all that talk of hiking has you exhausted, remember, there are three spectacular lakes you can enjoy without any hiking at all. Little Virginia Lake is a favorite among fishermen, and I’ve seen the fish taunting in the clear blue waters from the shoreline here. The way the mountain peaks rise around you feels and reflects like mirrored glass in the early morning sunlight. It is almost unreal. The Virginia Lakes Resort is located conveniently right next to the lake complete with a small convenience shop, cabins, cafe, lodge & tackle. This resort was made a reality beginning in 1924 thanks to Walter and Anita Foster, who lovingly ran the resort for 30 years. For the fascinating story of how they created the resort, consider reading Anita’s book, “I Caught A Fisherman”.
Along with hiking, you can enjoy the many other popular activities here, including fishing, kayaking, canoeing and row-boating. The 27-acre Big Virginia Lake is the largest lake here, but my favorite lake (particularly for an early morning out at the water’s edge) has to be Trumbull Lake. The Trumbull Lake Campground is situated by the lake, and on a cool morning, fog rolls over the water as the sun hits the cliff peaks, turning the rock a fiery orange and red. This is the perfect place to enjoy your early morning cup of java in the quiet magnificence of nature.
Trumbull Lake
Virginia Lakes Resort
Know Before You Go
• These lakes are situated at over 9,000 feet in elevation, so it’s important to be aware of the symptoms and risks of altitude sickness. Be mindful of any dizziness, headaches, or nausea, and bring plenty of water, electrolytes and snacks. Always honor your body, monitor your own personal resistance, and hike within your own scale and comfort level here.
• The Trumbull Lake Campground offers 40 sites. For information or to reserve a site, please visit recreation.gov or call 877-444-6777. There is also a primitive campground at Lower Virginia Creek. Season opening and closing dates each depend upon weather conditions.
• The Virginia Lakes Resort on Little Virginia Lake offers cabins, a general store and a boat ramp. For more information, please check out virginialakesresort.com or call 760-647-6484.
• The lakes are stocked with brook and brown trout, and tackle, bait and even fishing licenses can be obtained at the Virginia Lakes Resort.
• Black bears frequent the area; all food must be kept in approved containers. Never approach, disturb or attempt to feed wildlife.
• Please remember all the Leave No Trace Principles on your visit to keep this place a natural treasure.
Trumbull Lake, Virginia Lakes Basin
Big Virginia Lake
In Summary
Thank you so much for joining me this week at Virginia Lakes. For a virtual visit, make sure to watch my Behind the Blog video at the top of this post, or watch it on YouTube here. Until next week, I hope you find adventure and encouragement wherever you go!
Virginia Lakes, Eastern Sierra Fall colors
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About Me
I’m Dawn Marie, a travel and lifestyle blogger based out of Southern California. With in-depth articles, travel guides, and reviews on hotels & products, I seek to share my journeys to help you plan for your own. My adventures take me all over California, the western United States, and around the globe...and every Monday I post new content here, including a comprehensive blog post and YouTube video.
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