,

Sugar Shack

M. Martis Creek Shack, Brockway Summit, Hwy 267 (9/27/18) Robert Kermen

M. Martis Creek Shack, Brockway Summit (9/27/18) Robert Kermen

Two shacks, one at Red Lake Creek in the Hope Valley (CA-88) and another at Middle Martis Creek near Brockway Summit (CA-267) compete for the title of the most photographed sugar shacks in California.

While they are not technically les cabane à sucre, what French Canadians call cabins used to boil sap into maple syrup, these California sugar shacks are, with their seasoned boards embraced by autumn’s beauty, architectural cousins.

Robert Kermen visited the Martis Creek shack today, saying the aspen grove surrounding it is Near Peak with remaining leaves a bold blend of green, lime, yellow, orange and red. He wrote, “Wish those walls would talk. Lots of photographers must have stopped here over the years.”

M. Martis Creek Shack, Brockway Summit (9/27/18) Robert Kermen

The last time I was there, I happened by on a weekend, and worked around portrait photographers who were there to shoot wedding photos of future brides. The ladies posed like magazine models leaning against the weathered boards and backed by a yellow blur of leaves.

On Monday, I hope to return and capture it before the last of the autumn’s memories have fluttered away. 

Middle Martis Creek (7,000′) – Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW!