• Sorensen’s Resort surrounded by fall colors in this file photo by Elaine Quilici
    Sorensen’s Resort surrounded by fall colors in this file photo by Elaine Quilici
  • Quaking Aspen trees on the west side of California S.R. 88, with Red Mountain in the background. File photo by Elaine Quilici
    Quaking Aspen trees on the west side of California S.R. 88, with Red Mountain in the background. File photo by Elaine Quilici
  • The beginning of the primitive dirt road that leads from S.R. 88 to tiny Crater Lake. File photo by Elaine Quilici
    The beginning of the primitive dirt road that leads from S.R. 88 to tiny Crater Lake. File photo by Elaine Quilici
  • Some of the colorful Aspen trees in the area of that dirt road. File photo by Elaine Quilici
    Some of the colorful Aspen trees in the area of that dirt road. File photo by Elaine Quilici
  • More fall colors near Hope Valley. File photo by Elaine Quilici
    More fall colors near Hope Valley. File photo by Elaine Quilici
  • The pickup that belongs to Don and Elaine Quilici of Carson City. File photo.
    The pickup that belongs to Don and Elaine Quilici of Carson City. File photo.

This is my annual reminder for you to enjoy the spectacular displays of the colorful leaves on quaking aspen trees (quakies) at this time of the year.
If you would like to see and/or photograph those colors, here is a list of my top seven, personal favorite locations, all in Alpine County, Calif., in the Woodfords Canyon – Hope Valley – Red Lake areas.
To reach these locations, just 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.”
Some great colors can be seen along the West Carson River in Woodford’s Canyon, on the left side in the afternoons as you get closer to Sorensen’s.

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. It has always been one of my top locations for enjoying fall colors.
Special Note: Be careful when parking and then 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 all 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.

Where the road to Crater Lake intersects S.R. 88:
This small road is 1.9 miles past the Blue Lakes Turnoff. Watch for a paved road on your right side that curves up a steep bank, next to the highway.
Take that paved road (the pavement is badly eroded) about 50 yards, cross a cattleguard and the pavement turns to dirt.
Once you’ve crossed the cattleguard, park anywhere you like and then enjoy a leisurely walk through the Quaking Aspen Trees.
Special Note: This is our favorite location for photographing fall colors and having a picnic in this entire area.
On nice days, when the weather permits, do as we do:
Take a picnic lunch of cold fried chicken, cole slaw, dinner rolls, butter, apple pie and soft drinks. Sit on a log, leisurely eat your lunch and enjoy the beauty of Mother Nature. It doesn’t get much better than that, anywhere.

Along S.R. 88 on the straightaway, just before reaching Red Lake:
The Quakies are very colorful, especially on the left side.
Then, when you reach Red Lake, the Quakies are also colorful along the dirt road that leads to Lost Lakes.
I would not advise driving your vehicle uphill (unless you have four-wheel drive), as the road gets narrow and steep.

Finally:
Be sure to enjoy the beauty of Mother Nature’s handiwork in Alpine County before the long, cold, winter season arrives.

Bet Your Favorite Pigeon
Bet your favorite pigeon that he can’t tell you what is so unusual about all this helpful Don Q advice for enjoying fall colors.
If he grins and says, “That advice comes from someone who is color blind,” he could be one of my relatives or a close friend. 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 the Outdoors editor for Carson Now. He can be reached at donquilici@hotmail.com.