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Early June 2025 Wildflower Drive-Hikes: CA Highway 120 & Highway 168
June 21, 2025 3 min read
Courtesy of our older staff member Shelley (@ilovetheeasternsierra) who loves to use these two areas as part of her weekly circuit of places to visit when walking her dogs!
Conditions Report:
Current As Of: 01-04 June 2025*
Activity During Report: Driving & Hiking along California Highway 120 (from Benton to Lee Vining near Mono Lake) and Highway 168 (from Bishop to Aspendell along North Fork of Bishop Creek)
Conditions:
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CA Highway 120 (Benton - Lee Vining):
If you're looking for a stunning spring drive that blends high desert drama with vibrant wildflowers, California Highway 120 from Benton to U.S. 395 (Lee Vining) delivers in spades. This high desert route cuts across the open spaces and rolling hills of Mono County, offering panoramic views of distant Sierra peaks and an ever-changing palette of spring color. It’s the kind of drive that invites you to slow down, pull over often, and soak in the beauty.
Right now, the roadside is absolutely bursting with blooms. Purple-hued Mono Lake lupine, a rare and threatened species found only in Mono County, dots the landscape in patches of delicate elegance. Keep your eyes peeled for the small pink blossoms of monkey flowers, bright yellow alpine gold, and low-growing pink rosettes known as pussypaws—each adding its own splash of color to the desert palette.
Whether you're a flower fanatic, a nature photographer, or just someone who appreciates a scenic route, this drive is well worth your time. Bring your camera, pack some snacks, and get ready to be tempted into spontaneous roadside stops.
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A nice bloom of pink Monkeyflowers.
A prime patch of the small, succulent Pussypaws!
A fine example of alpine gold up close!
The unique species of Mono Lake Lupine endemic only to California and primarily only on the eastern slopes of the Sierra Nevada in western Mono County.
Scenic shot of Paoha Island in Mono Lake from CA Rt 120 as you approach Lee Vining
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CA Highway 168 (Bishop - Aspendell):
A scenic gem just west of Bishop, Highway 168 leading up to South Lake offers a perfect escape into the alpine beauty of the Eastern Sierra—and this time of year, it’s a wildflower-lover’s dream. Winding along Bishop Creek, the drive offers stunning views of granite peaks, tumbling creeks, and lush meadows just beginning to wake up for summer.
We took a peaceful wander around Intake Two, a small lake popular for fishing and picnics, but just as rewarding for a relaxed loop walk. The skies were moody with clouds and the breeze kept the temperatures at a comfortable 72°F—a welcome relief since the mosquitoes are definitely making their seasonal debut!
The roadside and trailsides were bursting with early summer color: rich purple lupine framed by the Sierra skyline, delicate popcorn flowers, vetch, phlox, and clusters of wild onions added variety and texture. Bright groundsel and sunburst-like mule ears stood tall along the water's edge, swaying in the wind.
Whether you’re out for a day drive, a lakeside stroll, or a casual flower-spotting adventure, Bishop Creek Canyon is showing off in all the right ways. Don’t forget your camera—and maybe some bug spray!
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A gorgeous patch of lupine with those epic Sierra views in the background!
Popcorn flower just popping!
Vetch
Phlox
Wild Onion Groundsel
Mule Ears
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Need Hiking Gear? If you're in need of sleeping bags, hiking boots (Men/Women), trekking poles, crampons, ice axes, or other gear (backpacks, tents, etc.) for your adventures, you can rent or buy everything that you would need with us here at Eastside Sports.
Got a More Specific Conditions Question? As always, don't hesitate to call us at store (760-873-7520) if ever in need of some extra details, adventure ideas, or conditions info for a niche place!
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*All conditions reports are subject to change, increasingly so with each passing day since the observation(s) were made. They are provided as a tool to assist your adventuring, not to replace your own risk management and decision-making. No information in any trip or conditions report published by Eastside Sports should be considered definitive in its information or directive in its recommendation.
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