Outdoors with Don Q: Eight places around Hope Valley to view fall colors

This is my annual reminder to enjoy the colorful displays of the leaves on Quaking Aspen trees, also known as "quakies" at this time of the year. Last Saturday, Elaine and I took a drive to Hope Valley, Calif., to see those colors and they are different this year, as compared to the past.

This year, and, obviously, due to the prolonged drought we have been experiencing, the leaves are not as vibrant as in previous years. In fact, there is an interesting mix of no leaves, green leaves and yellow leaves, often in the very same grove of quakies.

We have a suspicion that the yellow leaves are the result of the lack of moisture rather than below freezing temperatures. So, if you would like to go to Hope Valley, you better plan to do it soon and don't be disappointed with this year's colors, which are pretty as always, but not as spectacular as in the past.

Here is a list of eight locations in the Woodfords Canyon – Hope Valley – Red Lake areas to see the fall colors, and to reach them, drive south from Carson City on a combination of U.S. 395, Nev. S.R. 88 and Calif. S.R. 88.

01. In Woodford’s Canyon:
All along Calif. S.R. 88 between Woodfords and Sorensen’s Resort, located near the junction of S.R. 88 (to Kit Carson Pass) and S.R. 89 (to South Lake Tahoe). This junction is known as “Pickett’s Junction.”

02. 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.

03. The short area between Sorensen’s Resort and Pickett’s Junction:
This is one of the best locations for viewing colors in the entire area.
Special Note: Be careful when parking and then walking along the edge of the highway due to the high-speed traffic whizzing past.

04. 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.

05. 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.

06. 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 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 fall colors and having a picnic lunch. On nice days, when the weather permits, do as we do:
Take your lunch, sit on a log and enjoy the beauty of Mother Nature. It doesn’t get much better than that, anywhere.

07. 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.

08. The dirt road that runs from Red Lake to Lost Lakes.
When you reach Red Lake, the Quakies are very colorful along the dirt road that leads from there to Lost Lakes.
Park just off of S.R. 88, grab your camera and go wandering. The yellow colors can be stunning when backlit by the sunlight.

Finally:
Be sure to enjoy the beauty of Mother Nature’s handiwork in Alpine County before the long, cold, winter season arrives. And, you better do it today! The leaves are falling fast.

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.

— Don Quilici is the Outdoor editor for Carson Now. Don's wife, Elaine, is the Outdoor photographer. They live in Carson City and can be reached at donquilici@hotmail.com.