Keep on Truckee

I had to see for myself. Clayton Peoples’ photos of peak color around Lake Tahoe, his shot of Kokanee spawning in Taylor Creek, the webcam images of Truckee with golden cottonwoods along the river. Seeing is believing.

So, I got on I-80 and kept on truckin’ to Truckee to find the color to be as nice as I’ve seen it there.

Same for North Lake Tahoe, though Martis Creek Cabin (CA-267) near Northstar has seen better days. More than half the aspen are barren, though there’s still beauty.

On my drive along the north then west shore, aspen are full of orange leaves. Tahoe City is ablaze with red, yellow and orange and hot spots of peak color appear anywhere there’s a drainage.

It was Friday, so Tahoe was mostly lightly visited, though people congregated where coffee might be sold or there was a ready place to take a snap for social media. The Emerald Bay parking lot was full – as usual – and wherever lush stands of aspen glowed orange-yellow, crowds were attracted.

Clusters of folk took selfies in a lush grove near Spring Creek north of Taylor Creek on CA-89. Their wild poses, outstretched arms and pursed lips made me wonder if they’d traveled there to be filled with awe or play the fool. For all the selfies taken, I doubt any really saw themselves.

The spawning Kokanee salmon in Taylor Creek were as advertised: brilliant and numerous. The salmon are moving slowly in the creek – almost motionless, so cameras can be hand held. To reduce glare, a polarizing filter is recommended (or dehaze when processing with Adobe Lightroom).

I got there at 3 p.m., which I considered too late by a couple of hours. Midday is probably optimal, since the light comes from overhead, illuminating the stream. I found that long afternoon shadows (same in the morning) make it harder to photograph the fish. At this point in autumn the light is warm and not harsh. So, shooting midday is not the no-no it would be in July.

The only place to see the Kokanee is from the Pope Baldwin Bike Path bridge that crosses the creek. Normally, I’d suggest parking at the Taylor Creek Visitor Center, but it is closed.

Instead, there’s a turnout about 100 yards north of the creek. I parked there (parking is also available on a street across the highway from the turnout) and walked back along the bike path to the bridge.

Do not, however, venture off the bike path into closed areas near Taylor Creek or you could be fined. And, please be respectful of nearby residential areas.

In all, count Tahoe as one of the places to see or (depending on your purpose) to be seen this weekend.

• Cisco Grove, I-80 (5,643′) – Patchy (10-50%)
• Rainbow Lodge, I-80 (5,800′) – Near Peak (50-75%) Go Now.
• Kingvale, I-80 (6,118′) – Near Peak (50-75%) Go Now.
• Coldstream Valley, Truckee (5,817′) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
• Truckee (5,817′) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
• Northstar, CA-267 (6,175′) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
• Martis Creek Cabin, CA-267 (7,000′) – Peak to Past Peak, GO NOW You Almost Missed It.
• Kings Beach, CA-28 (6,225′) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
• Tahoe City, CA (6,225′) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
• Spring Creek (6,225′) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
• Pope Baldwin Bike Path, Taylor Creek – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!