,

Hold Up at Carson Pass

Fallen gold, Hope Valley (10/4/19) Philip Reedy

Those words haven’t been written since the late 1800s.

Back then, highwaymen robbed stage coaches of their silver, gold and payrolls along the Carson Pass (CA-88). Today, what’s being held up is fall color.

Yesterday, color spotter Philip Reedy passed over the pass and into the Hope Valley to find aspen steadfastly holding on to their green and reluctant to give up the gold.

N Meadow, East of Blue Lakes Rd., Hope Valley (10/4/19) Philip Reedy

He wrote, “From Caples Lake to Carson Pass there are many aspens along Highway 88 and almost all of them are still green.  From Carson Pass down to Red Lake it’s the same story.  The dirt road heading south from Red Lake has a lot of aspens and almost all are still green. 

“Heading east down to everyone’s favorite cabin (Red Lake Creek Cabin) there are some yellow trees but still mostly green.  There is a little more color by the cabin from last week, but not much more. 

“Across the highway Red Lake Creek should be bursting with yellow and orange leaves, yet most are still green.  Heading east from the cabin toward Hope Valley there are some yellow trees, but most have not changed yet. 

“Just past the Blue Lakes turnoff the Hope Valley has some nice color, but again, there are a lot of trees still waiting to turn.  A little further on the West Carson River area is almost entirely green still,” he explained.

  • Hope Valley (10/4/19) Philip Reedy
  • Hope Valley (10/4/19) Philip Reedy
  • Hope Valley (10/4/19) Philip Reedy
  • Hope Valley (10/4/19) Philip Reedy
  • Hope Valley (10/4/19) Philip Reedy

Phil estimates, from pictures he’s taken over the past five years that fall color is at least a week, perhaps two, behind past years.

He agrees with out assessment that this could mean one of the best Octobers we’ve seen in years, should the color be long-lasting, once it develops, as the trees are healthy and full of leaves.

The best color, for now, is in the north meadow, east of Blue Lakes Rd. Though, wear water-resistant hiking boots to see the best of it, as you’ll need to hike into the woods. When doing so, be alert not to create new paths (use the predominant trail and stay in it, even where it gets wet.

Don’t worry, you won’t be held up. Only the color is.

  • Hope Valley – Patchy (10-50%)
/by