The 2018 fall colors of Hope Valley
Submitted by editor on Wed, 10/03/2018 - 12:31pm
Be sure to enjoy the spectacular displays of the colorful leaves on Quaking Aspen trees, also known as "Quakies" before it's too late. Tuesday afternoon, Elaine and I took a drive to Hope Valley, Calif., to see those colors and they are spectacular!
If you want to see them you better hurry because they are at their prime or just past it in some areas. DO NOT DELAY. If you would like to see and/or photograph those colors, here is a list of some locations in the that general area.
To reach them, drive south from Carson City on a combination of U.S. 395, Nevada S.R. 88 and California S.R. 88.
In Woodford’s Canyon: All along California S.R. 88 between Woodfords and Sorensen’s Resort, located near the junction of S.R. 88 (to Kit Carson Pass) and California S.R. 89 (to South Lake Tahoe). This junction is known as “Pickett’s Junction.”
At Sorensen’s Resort: The Quaking Aspen Trees serve as a colorful backdrop to the resort on one side, with the West Carson River on the opposite side.
The short area between Sorensen’s Resort and Pickett’s Junction: This is one of, if not the best, locations for viewing colors in the entire area. Special Note: Be careful when parking and walking along the edge of the highway due to the high-speed traffic whizzing past.
The west side of S.R. 88 in Hope Valley, between Pickett’s Junction and the Blue Lakes Turnoff:
This is a popular location for photographers, so if you’re not sure where it is, just look for the parked vehicles and lots of people walking, with their cameras and tri-pods, along the edge of the highway or in the meadows.
Along S.R. 88, as you travel past the Blue Lakes Turnoff: You’ll be traveling, uphill, on a long straightaway; with “Quakies” on both sides of the highway, but the colors will be best on the right side as you near the far end of the straightaway.
Just past where the dirt road to Crater Lake intersects S.R. 88: This small road is 1.9 miles past the Blue Lakes Turnoff. Watch for a small paved road on your right side that curves up a steep bank, next to the highway. Special Note: This is our favorite location for fall colors.
Along S.R. 88 on the straightaway, just before reaching Red Lake: The Quakies are very colorful, especially on the left side. There will be a long paved shoulder of the highway where you can park your vehicle and then wander around with your camera.
Finally:
Be sure to enjoy the beauty of Mother Nature’s handiwork in Alpine County before the long, cold, winter season arrives. Do it today!
Special Note: Guess what is so unusual about all this helpful Don Q advice for enjoying fall colors. That advice comes from someone who is color blind. It’s true, I am color blind, but I have a great time enjoying the yellow and orange colors at this time of the year.
— Writer Don Quilici is a lifelong native Carson City resident and Carson Now's Outdoor Editor emeritus. He and wife Elaine reside in Carson City and spend their time traveling, especially to Alaska, where they take lots of great photos.
- Carson City
- 2018
- 395
- Afternoon
- Alpine
- Alpine County
- beauty
- California
- camera
- carson
- Carson River
- City
- Colors
- county
- Dirt Road
- Don Quilici
- Editor
- Fall
- Fall colors
- highway
- hope
- Kit Carson
- Lake
- Leaves
- Nevada
- outdoor
- Outdoors
- photos
- Red
- south
- South Lake Tahoe
- tahoe
- travel
- Trees
- U
- vehicle
- Winter
- Lake Tahoe
- Traffic
