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Hope Springs Eternal

Early changing leaves in the Hope Valley (9/13/19) Philip Reedy

Last Friday, 364 days after he first visited last autumn, Philip Reedy returned to the Hope Valley and reported that he “was hoping to see a similar beginning to fall colors.  I saw almost no aspen changing yet, where last year there were a few trees in full color.”

Green Aspen, Hope Valley (9/13/19) Philip Reedy

Philip estimates the start there is lagging by about a week from what he saw last year. Though, “on the plus side, trees look very healthy, vibrant with green leaves.”

Reedy plans to return every Friday for the next four weeks, to compare the two years that he’s been reporting from Hope Valley.

  • Apsen, Hope Valley (9/13/19) Philip Reedy
  • Aspen, Hope Valley (9/13/19) Philip Reedy
  • Aspen, Hope Valley (9/13/19) Philip Reedy

On this trip, he began above the West Carson River, then worked Red Lake Creek for an article he’s writing for Southwest Fly Fishing, finding aspen he hadn’t seen before, though nary a spot of yellow.

Brook trout, Red Lake Creek, Hope Valley (9/13/19) Philip Reedy

Beaver have done their best to gnaw away the aspen near the creek and though there were lots of Brook trout. The trout were small and soon released for another angler to get once they’ve grown.

Reedy described the Brookies as the most colorful aspect of late summer in the Hope Valley and shrugs, “so perhaps this can count as fall color.”

  • Hope Valley (7,300′) – Just Starting (0-10%)
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