UNDER CONSTRUCTION

HOPE VALLEY FALL COLORS October 21, 2015

Up unexpectedly feeling good this Wednesday morning, I got to my computer news. Due to the complete lack of response, I figured to cancel my Meet-Up hike, and do other things. I had done the hike a few weeks ago, and if no one wishes the exercise, views, or freedom, so be it.

With a Net report stating, “Peak,” I believed it and set out for my daily drive and hike. Sadly, one of the best fall color sites doesn’t appear to update their statuses. Rating “Peak” for June Lake, they got that right. Although mostly no one really cares about what they put out as far as information, here.

Motoring south on U.S. 395, with dash cam running, I stopped for breakfast in Carson City, NV. Relaxing, I had plenty of time. Taking then NV 88 to CA 88, I ran video to be speeded up. The colors weren’t bad in the canyon southwest of Woodfords, CA, then I came to Hope Valley. Surprised that the leaves were mostly gone, I just ran more video to be speeded-up. I made one still photo stop, then drove up to Red Lake, and turned around to head back east.

At Sorensen’s Resort, I walked about a bit to hear about most leaves having turned brown, and then falling off. I may have no or little idea of how it was, as in some years, the peak is about this time. Using the restroom and getting a can of soda for two dollars, I had checked the road “51” on the approach to Freel Peak, which must have been improved. This encouraged me to place a new Meet-Up climb for this coming weekend. I headed north over Luther Pass on CA 89. No great colors, I’d go to Taylor Creek.

The situation was about the same. Supposedly due to the drought, the changing season didn’t have the fall display. Not as many kokanee salmon were present. They had put some improvement in this project, with new signs, and I spoke with a forest employee.

My usual query about summit register policy in the wilderness was met with ignorance. I hope that the land managers will have changed their minds about summit registers, and allow them. With help or will, I’d be putting up hundreds of them. I like it that people can sign in their names and comments, and leave some easily removed, non-obtrusive trace of their being there. Seeing vandals carve their names into the aspen trees here, a nice book to sign seems a lot preferable. And, it gives SAR a clue about where a lost or missing hiker was, and then perhaps their agenda.

Most people seem to have gotten the news about the colors, and hopefully, the salmon. It’s well past peak. I decided to drive north on CA 89. I made a stop at Emerald Bay at the named, Inspiration Point. The falls here probably weren't worth a stop for, being a drought year, and in the dry season.

Posting my Meet-Up climb by my phone, I got replies right off the bat. Tending to that, I stopped at Homewood general store, for a soda and food, intending to bag Ellis Peak, but then there was road work. Halted traffic blocked my left turn to the road to Barker Pass, so I passed it by. Making a longer stop at the Truckee River, there was a new visitor center, and I took a nature walk at the museum. Some color, here, but planted trees, I’d suppose.

My dash cam was running as I came to Truckee, CA. Paying for parking, I strolled about the main street, taking photos of the fall window decor. Seeing a chance, I re-parked for free, then had some dinner at the nearby Mexican restaurant. The outdoor shop here no longer carries cross-country skis, or skis at all. I inquired about getting into boarding, which they replied, with board, boots, and bindings, might run a thousand. With some reason to take this up, that’d be an easy sell. But only split boards can go into backcountry. In my old age, I see myself getting the senior discount, and becoming a resort regular. But 40 foot leaps with big air might be out of my league!

Taking side streets back onto the Interstate, I zoomed on home. Stopping to read the newspapers, my dash cam suddenly failed. I got gas at 2.639, a huge difference from the last trip. I had meant to fill up with the cheaper gas in Carson City, but circumstances had me going home this way.

My phone said for the day, 3.39 miles with 22 floors. Capturing 597 images and movie clips, I spent $37 for the meals, and about $24 for souvenirs, a calendar and woodwork. Topping off my tank ran some $15.25. Leaving home at 9 a.m, I was back by 8:45 p.m. The driving benefits of living in the Eastern Sierra have started to kick in.

It remains to be seen if anyone bites on my Meet-Up climb. It can be easy, or challenging. I do have some limits, now. Presently the forecast says, partly cloudy, with a 20% chance of rain. I love drama. I’ve had to cancel two already, no cost or loss to me, but I like the company so far. No one has put a knife to my head, or demanded rides for free, or even to be paid for coming along. Though I haven’t tried any carpools or ride sharing, the hikers so far aren’t the nut jobs back in my old home town.

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