Introduction:
What? :
This lake location is known as one of the best California fall color destinations.
The small lake is located in a valley with high mountains and surrounded by large aspen trees forest. At the right week in autumn (early Oct.) the aspen trees turn their leaf color into red/orange/yellow and the lake views are mesmerizing.
There is a short trail circling the lake and you can capture the beauty from all directions.
I visited here several times to see fall colors but this visit was during mid June 2025 and the lake reflection view was also very nice.
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Where? :
The lake is located near the end of the 20 mile long road leading from Bishop, CA to the lake, campground and the trailhead.
Driving directions:
From Bishop drive west on Line Street (Hwy 168).
Follow Hwy 168 in the direction of South Lake, after 15 miles you will see the turn left into south fork, keep driving straight, pass the small community of Aspendell, keep driving up.
After 18 miles from Bishop before getting to Lake Sabrina Campground you will see a small turn to the right, take it.
You will cross over the creek by a small bridge and you will start climbing up, at first it is a paved road and soon after it turns into a wide well maintained dirt road.
The dirt road climbs the mountain slope and after a mile you will see on your left the first small North Lake parking lot.
I recommend parking here, it is located near the more “photo opportunity” side of the lake and near the lake exit stream.
If it is full, keep driving, do not park on the roadside and block it.
After a short section where the road passes through a nice large aspen tree first (about quarter of a mile) there is turn to the right, take it and drive up to the large parking lots.
Both parking lots have restrooms.
North Lake sits at an elevation of 9,500 ft above sea level.
When? :
The recommended time to visit in the high Sierra is late May to October up to the first season snow storm.
If you are coming to see the amazing view of fall color then exact timing is critical. The red/orange/yellow are peaking for a short 2-3 weeks max, before that they are still green/yellow and after that they fall to the ground. From my experience the weeks of end of Sep. and early Oct. are the time colors are at their best.
The dirt road leading up to North Lake will be closed with the first heavy snow storm, usually by late October or early November.
In the winter months highway 168 that is leading up the canyon from Bishop can be closed just beyond Aspendell.
During the summer month thunder storms are common in afternoons.
Due note 1:
Water: you need to filter the water before drinking it.
Due note 2:
This is a very short walk around the lake. Bring a hat, sunglasses and use sun protection.
Even during the warm summer months, come prepared for changing weather and have warm clothes with you.
Depending on the season mainly during early summer mosquitoes might be a problem, bring a face net and repellent.
Due note 3:
The trailhead has vault toilets.
Due note 4:
This is a popular destination and the area near the lakes can be crowded during autumn season, even before sunrise.
The first small parking lot is getting full quickly and there is no parking along the road on the east side of the lake. Please respect that. Keep driving and park on the large lake west side parking lots.
There is no parking along the road leading to the campground.
Campground parking is allowed only for people that have a campsite.
Due note 5:
No permit required for Day use hike.
Wilderness permits are needed year-round for overnight stay.
Due note 6:
For overnight stay you are required to store food items in bear-proof containers
Due note 7:
Camping: North Lake Campground that is located 1 mile up at the end of the road has 11 first-come-first-served, primitive campsites; RVs and trailers are prohibited.
Due note 8:
I saw many people that are fishing here. You need a fishing permit to do so.
Due note 9:
This and the surrounding area are under Inyo National Forest
My thoughts:
I visit here several times, coming mainly to see the fall color “nature show” and to do local hikes.
I drove in the dark up the road so I could be here before sunrise and I was not disappointed. No fall colors but also no wind when creating perfect reflections of the mountains in the lake water.
At first I visited the east side of the lake and took some pictures. Because I can’t cross the creek I drove to the west side parking lot and walked back along the lake to take more reflection pictures.
I was the only one here, it was cold early in the morning and I enjoyed the quiet and relaxed atmosphere.
The Visit and Photography Recommendation:
There is a very short trail leading from the first parking lot into the lake shore, this is the best viewpoint to the west. You need to pass the vegetation and reach all the way to the water front.
You can try and look for creek water crossing along the section where the creek exits the lake. There are many boulders and when it is low water level you can cross it without getting wet. During early summer and snow melting the water level is high and you can’t cross here without getting wet.
For the most famous view photographers are looking to capture will need to be on the east edge of the lake, looking to the west.
From here you can see the lake, the aspen forest from the other side and the impressive mountain cliffs.
During the Fall colors peak time you will see many other photographers here even before sunrise.
This is not the place to feel solitude, respect others and just enjoy the view.
If you are using a tripod you’ll need to arrive well before dawn to secure your best spot along the eastern shore.
When I visited here in mid June early morning for sunrise I was the only one here.
When during the day: Sunrise is the best time to visit here.
Usually before sunrise North Lake has calm waters creating perfect reflection pictures, when a wind pickup there is no reflection in the water.
The pre-sunrise soft light creates perfect photography conditions.
Once the sun rises, light hits the mountain to the west peaks and soon it starts going down.
If you parked at the west lake side large parking lot I recommend walking along the lake shore trail leading north east. The trail following the lake shore inside the aspen tree forest, there is a nice view of the lake east but I do recommend hiking all the way to the exit creek.
From here you have a nice reflection view of the lake, the trees and the mountains.
You can climb up the hill in the forest and then get an opening in the forest with the lake view.
Another fall color popular location is the short road section and the aspen tree tunnel at the east side of the lake.
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