US 395 north of Mono City, Mono County, CA, 10/22/2010
Conway Summit is a mountain pass in Mono County, CA traversed by U.S. Highway 395, connecting the community of Bridgeport on the north side of the pass to Mono Lake and Lee Vining on the south. At an elevation of 8,143 feet above sea level, Conway Summit marks the highest point on this route between Mexico and Canada. The pass is named after John Andrew Conway, who moved here from the mining town of Bodie after purchasing a ranch in the northwest corner of Mono Basin in 1903. Potatoes - one of Mono Basin's most reliable root crops - were grown on the ranch. Geologically, the pass was formed from an upland plateau by the sinking of the land in the Mono Basin area. Here is the view from Conway Summit looking southwest. In the distance at right is Dunderberg Peak (also known as Castle Peak), elevation 12,374 feet. In the foreground is the reason for this photograph: groves of quaking aspen trees (Populus tremuloide) in full autumn color! The aspens grow here in Sinnamon Meadow along Virginia Creek in the immediate foreground, Dog Creek, Dunderberg Creek, and other various streams, springs, and waterways. I was further impressed by the arrangement of color; at far left the trees are grouped in parallel rows, each a different hue. At back is a row of green aspens, in front of which is a yellow row, then an orange row, followed by a red row! This October day started with full sunshine but ended under total cloud cover. By late afternoon when I arrived here the sky was completely overcast, yet full of interesting details. The even lighting was perfect for emphasizing all the colors in this rich and rugged landscape.
