Lundy Canyon Trail Head

Lundy Canyon climbs above Lundy Lake in Mono County, and visitors consistently rank it among the best fall-color hikes in the East Sierra. The draw is a string of waterfalls, thick aspen groves that turn gold in October, and stream crossings that keep the canyon feeling alive rather than dusty.

The Hike

From the trailhead it's about 2 miles and roughly 800 feet of elevation gain to the lower waterfall, where most hikers turn around for a 4-5 hour round trip. Along the way the trail crosses several streams and passes beaver ponds and dams built into Mill Creek. Hikers who continue toward Lundy Pass and Lake Helen face about one more mile and 1,200 feet of climbing, but recent visitors report the trail becomes hard to follow up there and note a landslide has made that upper stretch more hazardous — it's a stretch best left to experienced hikers carrying light packs.

Getting to the Trailhead

The access road runs about 1.5 miles off Lundy Lake and is unpaved, rutted, and full of large potholes — reviewers strongly recommend a 4WD or all-wheel-drive SUV. The parking lot is small and free, and it fills up fast on weekends and during peak fall color, so an early start makes a real difference.

What to Expect

Snow can linger near the upper falls even in late October. Trail conditions shift year to year — recent visitors describe aspen groves damaged by avalanche and a beaver dam washed out above the waterfall — but the canyon's combination of water, color, and mountain views keeps hikers coming back every fall.