Archive for the ‘Taylor Creek Visitor Center Lake Tahoe’ Tag
By Michelle Portesi
On a trip to New England in the fall some years back, I had to laugh at what the locals call the tourists at that time of year. ‘Leaf Peepers’ is a humorous reference to the throngs of people who come to the area to take in the yearly spectacular display of fall colors.
While our area may not sport the vivid reds of sugar maples (unless they’ve been planted by you or your neighbors) we here at the Tahoe basin are still treated to fall’s marvelous show. Vast stands of aspens grace our area along with many other shrubs and trees that turn color, a visual witness to the change of seasons. If you grew up in southern California like I did, where there aren’t really seasons, (unless you count temperatures that go from ‘hot’ to ‘not quite so hot’ and fall just means the leaves turn brown and fall off the trees), then the changing of seasons will come as a revelation.
The summer tourists abandon the area, completely unaware of what local’s know. That this is one of the best times of the year to get outside, go for a hike, a ride a bike, or even just take a stroll. The temperatures are still sunny and warm during most days, but with a refreshing nip in the air. Enjoying the area’s quieter times surrounded by such beauty seems almost spiritual and meditative.
There are some favorite places where the colors seem especially vivid and you’ll be sure to see photographers snapping away. Here are some of mine.
.
Aspen Grove on Hwy. 267
.
HWY 267. Just after the Northstar turn off on the way to Lake Tahoe. For whatever reason, this area seems to turn earlier than others and is going off right now. What’s left of the shell of a funky old cabin adds visual interest to any photo.
MOUNT ROSE – Also one of the early turning areas due to its higher elevation.
THE WEST SHORE – The bike trail isn’t technically open, but it’s a lovely ride along the lake, where you’ll be sure to see birch and aspens turning a little later. As I write this, the area hasn’t quite done so yet.
.
Kokanee Salmon in Taylor Creek
.
TAYLOR CREEK – South Lake Tahoe, next to the Mt. Tallac Historic Site. Also an area heavily populated by deciduous trees, it’s a lovely walk along the trail. The Kokanee salmon are just starting their spawning run, with a few individuals making it to the stream chamber as of Oct. 1st. Rangers believe this weeks cold temperatures will lure them in, and the trees and shrubs will most likely change to greet them. Be sure to hike or drive to The Tallac Historic Site next door. The vintage cabins are now closed for the season, but the park is open for strolling and the grounds are alive with color.
FALLEN LEAF LAKE. South Lake Tahoe across the highway from the Mt. Tallac Historic Site. Near the entrance to the lake is a large stand of aspens, with a vast grove along it where horses graze in the autumn sun. Last year’s poor snow pack meant no colors at all as the leaves withered and died in August, but this year looks to have afforded them enough water that the aspens still sport their leaves. Not quite turned yet as of Oct.1, but I’m keeping my eye out for this area. (I’m hoping the S. Lake Tahoe peeps can give me a heads up when they do).
.
Spooner Lake. The aspens haven’t turned yet.
.
SPOONER LAKE – at the juncture of Hwy. 28 and Hwy 50. We went for a lovely hike last week along the lake, not only spotting a slew of ducks, but a very skittish blue heron. The leaves weren’t quite turning yet except for a few random trees, so keep an eye out for this to go off in the next week or two. If you’re feeling especially vigorous, Marlette Lake is a 5 mile jaunt away.
HOPE VALLEY – I confess to not having been to this area during the fall yet, but I hear it’s spectacular. Located on Hwy. 88 off Hwy. 89 out of south shore. A side trip to the vintage Sorenson’s Resort on Hwy. 88 north of Hope Valley is also a treat.
.
Do you have a favorite place for leaf peeping? Let us know in the comments section.
.
.
THINK OF ME, LYNN RICHARDSON, FOR ALL OF YOUR LAKE TAHOE AND TRUCKEE REAL ESTATE NEEDS!
Share this: Lynn Richardson, Your Friend in High Places
Like this:
Like Loading...
.
.
A new Market Action Report is up on the blog at the following link:
yourfriendinhighplaces.net/market-action-report or click the tab above.
*EDIT: September’s figures added 10/3/2015
Stats aside, I know that my listings have been selling as fast as I get them. Are you thinking of buying or selling a home in the near future? Call me today for a consultation on what I can do for you to sell your current home or find you the perfect mountain hideaway.
Kokanee Salmon at Taylor Creek
And don’t forget, the Fall Fish Festival at Taylor Creek is this Saturday, as is the Octoberfest celebration at Camp Richardson on Saturday as well as Sunday. Photos from South Shore show that there is water in the creek, the salmon are starting to arrive and fall colors are turning on the trees that haven’t lost their leaves due to the drought. Bring an umbrella. Sunday looks to be a tad rainy.
For more information:
Fall Fish Festival at Taylor Creek Visitor’s Center: www.fs.usda.gov
Camp Richardson Octoberfest Celebration: www.camprichardson.com/event-calendar
THINK OF ME, LYNN RICHARDSON, FOR ALL OF YOUR LAKE TAHOE AND TRUCKEE REAL ESTATE NEEDS!
Share this: Lynn Richardson, Your Friend in High Places
Like this:
Like Loading...
.
EVENT CANCELLED!
Unfortunately, it turns out that this venue is on Federal Park land, not State Park land. As you no doubt have heard, Congress has decided to shut down the entire country’s PUBLIC lands while they decide whether or not to get their collective acts together.
The fish however, did not get the memo. They will continue doing what they do, which is spawn. The rangers won’t be giving the planned educational tours, and the river viewing area and visitor center will be closed. On the other hand, if you are so inclined, there is nothing wrong with a little civil disobedience I say.
Just stroll right past those ‘Park Closed’ signs, enjoy the fall colors and watch the fish!
.
Spawning Kokanee Salmon at Taylor Creek
.
Fall is soon upon us, and that means it is time for the annual Kokanee Salmon spawning ritual.
We on the North Shore of Lake Tahoe and Truckee tend to forget that there is a whole other half to the lake, with plenty of fun things to do – other than gambling. (Although you can do that too after you’re done with the daytime/outdoor activities.)
The South Shore of the lake will once again play host to the annual ‘Fall Fish Festival’ – (formerly known as the Kokanee Salmon Festival.) The name change is no doubt due to the fact that, hey, there ARE other fish in the Lake…which the Forest Service Biologists will be happy to educate you about from 10am- 4pm on both Saturday, Oct. 5th and Sunday, Oct. 6th.
The Taylor Creek Visitor Center is on Hwy 89 south just past South Lake Tahoe heading towards Emerald Bay. The trails at The Center meander through lovely aspen and pine forest as it follows the stream, which is perfect for viewing the colorful salmon as they make their way to the spawning grounds. Depending on what week in the fall you hit the area at, there will be anywhere from dozens to hundreds of salmon the entire length of the stream. (It’s kind of like trying to catch the height of fall colors in the mountains. It’s never at quite the same time every year.) There is also an underground viewing area that cuts right into the stream bed. There you can see what’s really going on underwater and get a different perspective of the stream than you could get viewing it from above.
Do keep an eye out for bears. There’s plenty of fish, so there are often bears lurking about trying to fatten up on all that plentiful bounty before they go into hibernation for the winter. Be sure to go to the links below and read up on the proper ‘bear etiquette’ while you’re at Taylor Creek.
.
Tallac Historic Site
.
Continue along the trail until you get to the fence that separates the nature center from the Tallac Historic Site. Slip through the gate and wander the estate of a bygone era. While the building tours themselves may be closed for the season, the grounds themselves are pleasantly interesting and home to some of the most lovely ‘Old Tahoe’ architecture to be found at the lake. Walk along the beach, or check out the last vestiges of the gardens as they wind down for the growing season.
.
Tallac Historic Site
.
For more information on The Fish Festival and the Tallac Historic Site, go to these links:
Fall Fish Festival
Tallac Historic Site
tahoesouth.com
.
Share this: Lynn Richardson, Your Friend in High Places
Like this:
Like Loading...
YOUR FRIEND IN HIGH PLACES 