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Paddlin’ Home

Mallard hen and Kokanee salmon, Taylor Creek (10/30/20) John Poimiroo

She swam purposefully up stream above a large school of spawning salmon, oblivious to them, but they not to her.

As she cruised, the school parted instinctively. It was just a duck paddling overhead, but they parted nonetheless. Then, the salmon reformed their school as soon as the duck had passed.

  • Kokanee salmon, Taylor Creek, Lake Tahoe (10/30/20) John Poimiroo
  • Aspen, Taylor Creek, Lake Tahoe (10/30/20) John Poimiroo
  • Taylor Creek, Lake Tahoe (10/30/20) John Poimiroo

Kokanee salmon are bunched together below the bike path bridge over Taylor Creek along the southwest shore of Lake Tahoe, as they have been for the past two weeks. How long they’ll stay is beyond my knowledge.

As for the aspen, they’re about done at Taylor Creek and Spring Creek (just to the north).

From there along the west shore of Lake Tahoe, north to Sunnyside, there’s not much to see. Then, pockets of gold appear along the northwest and north shores of the lake to Kings Beach. Overall, Lake Tahoe is past peak.

Martis Creek Cabin on CA-267 is now past peak, with just one aspen by the cabin holding half its leaves. It’s peak to past peak from Northstar to Truckee and nothing much of note along I-80.

A colorful surprise, on the paddle home, was CA-20.

From I-80 to Bear Valley along Hwy 20 the forest glowed with near peak golden willows, rose-colored creek dogwood and occasional orange black oak. But, the best was saved for last.

As Hwy 20 descends beside the historic overland emigrant route it is greeted upon arrival in Nevada City by a brilliant, orange-red tree opposite a white steepled church. More full peak color is found throughout one of the most picturesque gold rush towns in California.

Nevada City is at peak and glorious.

  • Nevada City (10/30/20) John Poimiroo

Unfortunately, I’d spent most of the day working at Lake Tahoe. It was late in the day by the time I arrived, and I was only able to get off a couple of snaps and had to keep paddlin’ the rest of the way home.

Nevada City is overflowing with 1850s character and ruby, gold, yellow and orange peaking color. It is definitely the call for this weekend. If you live within reach of Nevada City, GO NOW!.

  • US-50 (3,000) – Patchy (10-50%)
  • US-50 (4,000) – Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW!
  • CA-89, Taylor Creek – Past Peak, You Missed It.
  • CA-89, Sunnyside to Tahoe City – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
  • CA-28, Tahoe City to Kings Beach – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
  • CA-267, Martis Creek Cabin – Past Peak, You Missed It.
  • CA-267, Northstar – Peak to Past Peak, GO NOW, You Almost Missed It.
  • I-80, Truckee – Peak to Past Peak, GO NOW, You Almost Missed It.
  • I-80, Kingvale to Cisco Grove – Near Peak (50-75%) Go Now.
  • CA-20, from I-80 to Bear Valley – Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW!
  • Nevada City ((2,477′) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
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