Autumn in California's Eastern Sierras
By Mary Robinson
September 5, 2012 (Sierra Nevadas) -- It begins as a prayer. Zen-like in its simplicity. Your paddle glides soundlessly into the chilly mix of Sierra snow melt where the tiniest of insects alight on the water amid bursts of orange and red leaves. Just you, a lake and the mountains' reflection.
This is late September in the Eastern Sierra Nevada mountains, just sevenhours from the granite peaks and scrub oaks of East County. Welcome to autumn in California.
Welcome to North Lake, South Lake, Lake Sabrina, Rock Creek Lake, Convict Lake, Lake Mary, June Lake and any number of glittering reflectors rimming the Sierras. Just a pleasant drive up the 395 gets you the same thrill, at the cost of gas and a 2-night stay, that you might pay a week's wages to fly 3,000 miles to Bar Harbor, Maine.
Grab your kayak and go!