Please Watch in Full Screen: Little Lakes Valley 🍂🏔️

This trail is a popular spot for fall foliage in Mono County, part of the stunning Inyo National Forest. With an impressive 4.99 rating on AllTrails, it’s absolutely breathtaking—even if you don’t make it all the way to the iconic Gem Lakes, the scenery along the way is more than worth the journey! Along the path, you’ll pass numerous alpine lakes 🏞️, canyon rivers, and mountain streams, surrounded by tall trees, lush vegetation, and wind-sculpted rocks. Don’t come just expecting “yellow leaves for photos”—the valley offers rich layers of greenery mixed with golden hues, creating a different kind of beauty compared to the blazing reds and yellows of the Northeast. The trail is moderately graded and not too difficult—round trip is about 7.2 miles. Even a casual hiker like me made it halfway with a camera in hand! 📸 But be aware: the elevation is no joke—it starts at over 10,000 feet (3,000+ meters)! One of our fittest friends actually struggled with altitude sickness and had to turn back, while the rest of us (who don’t exercise much 😅) were totally fine! And guess what? You’ll meet so many dogs along the way! 🐕🦮🐶🐾 Almost everyone had at least two—I was in heaven just watching them trot by. 📍 Trail: Little Lakes Valley to Gem Lakes 📷 Shot on Sony a7m4 + 24-70 GMII Have you hiked here before? What’s your favorite high-elevation trail for fall colors? Share your stories below! 👇🥾 #FullScreenChallenge #Wideshot #BayAreaWeekends #CaliforniaTravel #PhotographyLovers #AutumnViews #WinterHikes #MountainAutumn #FallThroughTheLens #HikingInFall #NatureWalks #AlpineLakes #DogFriendlyHikes #ElevationGains #OutdoorVibes