From Late Autumn to Early Winter in One Hike πβοΈ
Who knew the biggest surprise of our fall color trip would be the McGee Pass Trail on day two! We woke up at dawn and started hiking early. At first, only the mountain peaks were glowing in soft pink and goldβthe valley was full of color but still waiting for the sunβs touch. So we kept climbing! π We passed the McGee Pass junction, and after about 5 miles, we started seeing patches of snow. The landscape slowly shifted to coniferous forests and classic Sierra Nevada granite terrain. Then, at 7.2 miles in, we reached the breathtaking Big McGee Lakeβlike something straight out of a fairy tale! ποΈβ¨ By the time we hiked back down into the canyon around 2-3 PM, the sunlight had worked its magic. The autumn colors were now glowingβrich, vibrant, and full of life! ππ π From trailhead to 2 miles β Gentle intro, pretty foliage π Around 3 miles β Colors deepen, views expand π 5β6 miles β Scattered snow patches, then wide-open meadows π Big McGee Lake β Alpine jewel surrounded by peaks This hike is about 14.5 miles round trip with around 2,800 ft of elevation gain. The mix of golden autumn leaves and snowy peaks made it one of the most stunning sections along Highway 395. π₯Ύπ If you're just here for fall colors, hiking 2β3 miles in should be plenty beautiful. But if you're up for a challenge, Big McGee Lake is absolutely worth every step! π #HikingTheWorld #California395 #395FallColors #EasternSierra #McGeePassTrail #BigMcGeeLake #SierraNevada #FallHiking #AlpineLake #GoldenAutumn #SnowAndLeaves #AdventureGram #TrailVibes #NatureLovers #SoCalHiking
