| Click here for Home Page to see List of All My Trips and Three Methods to search my Travelogue website for web pages of interest to you |
| Fantastic Fall Colors in Eastern Sierra in California |
| 讀萬卷書 行萬里路 |
****************************************
In case if you see overlapped lines of text or some lines of text become obscured behind a picture on this web
page, please change the page magnification (zoom) factor to eliminate such problems by pressing these two
keys "Ctrl +" simultaneously or these two keys "Ctrl -" simultaneously. Depending on your PC setting, it may
be necessary to reduce the magnification factor several steps down in order to eliminate the overlap and
obstructed text lines.
Please press the F11 key (Fn key and F11 key on laptop PC) on your keyboard to get full-screen view of
photos and web page. Pressing F11 key again will return to your normal screen with various tool bars.
****************************************
In case if you see overlapped lines of text or some lines of text become obscured behind a picture on this web
page, please change the page magnification (zoom) factor to eliminate such problems by pressing these two
keys "Ctrl +" simultaneously or these two keys "Ctrl -" simultaneously. Depending on your PC setting, it may
be necessary to reduce the magnification factor several steps down in order to eliminate the overlap and
obstructed text lines.
Please press the F11 key (Fn key and F11 key on laptop PC) on your keyboard to get full-screen view of
photos and web page. Pressing F11 key again will return to your normal screen with various tool bars.
****************************************
居高臨下眺望, 沉浸在大好湖山里，賞心樂目。
The picture perfect Red Lake along Highway 88 in Hope Valley, as a mountain lake in Eastern Sierra, the
gorgeous views of surrounding Eastern Sierra peaks with contrasting beauty。
The picture perfect Red Lake along Highway 88 in Hope Valley, as a mountain lake in Eastern Sierra, the
gorgeous views of surrounding Eastern Sierra peaks with contrasting beauty。
加州 Eastern Sierra 地區的秋景相當美，白楊樹的金黃橘紅，搭配壯麗的山景與湖景，加
上加州名產 — 晴空萬里的藍天與豐足日光，形成獨樹一格，亮麗麗又金燦燦的活潑秋
色。而且因為海拔高度差別大、地形複雜，導致該區整體賞秋景的時間拉長。即使來的時
候 A 處不是高峰期，那也有 B 處、C 處，甚至 D 處讓你大飽眼福。這裡還是釣客的天
堂，據說鱒魚的數量非常多。
When mother nature shows off spectacular fall colors in Eastern Sierra in California, it is the best time of the
year to visit. The Eastern Sierra gets painted gold, crimson and orange plus green background. The principal
players in this spectacular display of color are aspen, cottonwood and willow trees with green pine trees in the
background to enhance the color contrast. You'll discover why fall in Eastern Sierra is one of California's best-
kept secrets. Fall season is long in the Eastern Sierra. The topography of the region and varied elevations from
5,000 to 10,000 feet mean the trees peak in color at different times and provide a slow shift into winter that
starts first at the higher elevations and descends slowly over the open plains of the valley, canyons, creeks and
mountain lakes below.
The color change begins high too. Over the course of many weeks, often well into November, the color tumbles
down the mountain and out across the plain like spilled buckets of paint.
上加州名產 — 晴空萬里的藍天與豐足日光，形成獨樹一格，亮麗麗又金燦燦的活潑秋
色。而且因為海拔高度差別大、地形複雜，導致該區整體賞秋景的時間拉長。即使來的時
候 A 處不是高峰期，那也有 B 處、C 處，甚至 D 處讓你大飽眼福。這裡還是釣客的天
堂，據說鱒魚的數量非常多。
When mother nature shows off spectacular fall colors in Eastern Sierra in California, it is the best time of the
year to visit. The Eastern Sierra gets painted gold, crimson and orange plus green background. The principal
players in this spectacular display of color are aspen, cottonwood and willow trees with green pine trees in the
background to enhance the color contrast. You'll discover why fall in Eastern Sierra is one of California's best-
kept secrets. Fall season is long in the Eastern Sierra. The topography of the region and varied elevations from
5,000 to 10,000 feet mean the trees peak in color at different times and provide a slow shift into winter that
starts first at the higher elevations and descends slowly over the open plains of the valley, canyons, creeks and
mountain lakes below.
The color change begins high too. Over the course of many weeks, often well into November, the color tumbles
down the mountain and out across the plain like spilled buckets of paint.
We drove from San Francisco Bay area to Reno, Nevada on Monday October 1, 2018 and stayed in Reno for
one night, enjoyed the delicious buffet dinner with 50% discounted price (for Monday only) in Atlantis Casino
Resort Hotel. We stayed in Reno for one night at elevation of 4,500 feet to give our bodies some time to
adjust to the high elevation in Eastern Sierra to be explored next day.
On the next morning of October 2, 2018, we drove south from Reno, Nevada to Hope Valley in California at
elevation of 7,300 feet in high Eastern Sierra in California to enjoy fantastic fall colors in Hope Valley which is
a pristine area about 20 miles south of Lake Tahoe. From Hope Valley Outdoors at Pickett's Junction which is
the junction of Highway 89 (Luther Pass Road) and Highway 88 (Carson Pass Road), we drove on Highway
88, Highway 89 and Blue Lake Road to enjoy the fantastic fall colors of grand alpine scenery. The elevation of
the winding mountain roads ranges from 7,300 feet to 8,500 feet.
At the Pickett's Junction, we saw several cars parked on roadside and some people were fishing on the river
well-stocked with rainbow trout. Please see the pictures and stories of trout hatcheries that supply lots of
trout for the lakes and streams in Eastern Sierra on my web page at:
https://www.shltrip.com/Spectacular_Eastern_Sierra_Part_2.html
one night, enjoyed the delicious buffet dinner with 50% discounted price (for Monday only) in Atlantis Casino
Resort Hotel. We stayed in Reno for one night at elevation of 4,500 feet to give our bodies some time to
adjust to the high elevation in Eastern Sierra to be explored next day.
On the next morning of October 2, 2018, we drove south from Reno, Nevada to Hope Valley in California at
elevation of 7,300 feet in high Eastern Sierra in California to enjoy fantastic fall colors in Hope Valley which is
a pristine area about 20 miles south of Lake Tahoe. From Hope Valley Outdoors at Pickett's Junction which is
the junction of Highway 89 (Luther Pass Road) and Highway 88 (Carson Pass Road), we drove on Highway
88, Highway 89 and Blue Lake Road to enjoy the fantastic fall colors of grand alpine scenery. The elevation of
the winding mountain roads ranges from 7,300 feet to 8,500 feet.
At the Pickett's Junction, we saw several cars parked on roadside and some people were fishing on the river
well-stocked with rainbow trout. Please see the pictures and stories of trout hatcheries that supply lots of
trout for the lakes and streams in Eastern Sierra on my web page at:
https://www.shltrip.com/Spectacular_Eastern_Sierra_Part_2.html
沿途風景絕美， 白楊樹夾道歡迎你。紅黃相間的溫暖葉色中稍稍摻點黃綠，配上加州的
晴空萬里美得令人陶醉， 由黃紅色的山林原野擁抱著，在這裡開車旅遊非常享受。
The aspens take on a deep golden glow for a gorgeous autumn drive.
晴空萬里美得令人陶醉， 由黃紅色的山林原野擁抱著，在這裡開車旅遊非常享受。
The aspens take on a deep golden glow for a gorgeous autumn drive.
天之涯，地之角，陽光明媚，遠看山景，被藍天白雲映襯著，登高遠眺，心馳神往，真有
秋高氣爽的感覺，令人迷醉。
The huge Sierra Nevada fills the background like a staged setting for an epic drama.
秋高氣爽的感覺，令人迷醉。
The huge Sierra Nevada fills the background like a staged setting for an epic drama.
白楊樹非常高聳茂密，在陽光的照耀下，全透明了，開車穿越這條樹林小徑，像走入
一片燦爛金黃當中。
Awesome view of golden stands of aspen cluster!
一片燦爛金黃當中。
Awesome view of golden stands of aspen cluster!
一林黃葉，千片萬片無數片，十月是這秋景勝地區 葉子變色的高峰期。
The large groves of aspen surrounding Sorensen’s Resort in Hope Valley seem to herald the holiday
season. Every view and image is picture postcard perfect.
The large groves of aspen surrounding Sorensen’s Resort in Hope Valley seem to herald the holiday
season. Every view and image is picture postcard perfect.
這裡的天格外的藍，因此在藍天的映襯下，金色的樹林顯得格外美麗，沿途秋葉金燦燦，
在日光照射下閃閃發光。
Beautiful display of roadside aspen groves.
在日光照射下閃閃發光。
Beautiful display of roadside aspen groves.
吾心沈醉此景中，有種寧靜淡然安詳，必訪的賞秋景之地， 超美的景色，駐足欣賞，
拍照留念。
Dense aspen groves that turn deep orange and crimson.
拍照留念。
Dense aspen groves that turn deep orange and crimson.
陽光從樹枝間穿越、灑落，在藍天之下，被金黃山林包圍，金黃璀璨，超愜意。
Fall color spills abundantly down all the canyons of the Eastern Sierra. Fall is the golden season in Eastern
Sierra.
Fall color spills abundantly down all the canyons of the Eastern Sierra. Fall is the golden season in Eastern
Sierra.
Eastern Sierra 的雄偉高峰， 危岩嶙峋，高山頭，氧氣稀薄，寸草不生。
Mountain peak in Eastern Sierra along Highway 89.
Mountain peak in Eastern Sierra along Highway 89.
自然豐盈的色彩與山村景緻完美的融合，夢幻人間仙境，清幽雅緻， 為之傾倒的詩意之
地 !
Relax in the setting of charming quiet rustic houses surrounded by lovely fall colors.
地 !
Relax in the setting of charming quiet rustic houses surrounded by lovely fall colors.
天高雲淡，豔陽高照，難得是照相的好日子，秋天的白楊林，別有一番風采，秋風掠
過，樹葉“嘩嘩”地響著。
過，樹葉“嘩嘩”地響著。
最迷人的季節，森林換上紅色和金色的外衣，婀娜風姿再添一抹彩顏，眼睛的陶醉，
攝影愛好者夢寐以求的美麗景點。
Exploration on foot from any of the turnouts and trailheads will take you deep into the explosion of color.
攝影愛好者夢寐以求的美麗景點。
Exploration on foot from any of the turnouts and trailheads will take you deep into the explosion of color.
秋之戀曲， 大自然用畫筆勾勒濃墨重彩的色彩世界。
Brims with glowing brilliant gold.
Brims with glowing brilliant gold.
告別炎炎夏日，迎來涼爽舒適的秋天，沉著卻又絢麗的秋日風情是一年中最美的時
光， 一路上越行秋意越濃。
A wonderful scenic drive to enjoy the spectacular fall colors.
光， 一路上越行秋意越濃。
A wonderful scenic drive to enjoy the spectacular fall colors.
秋日，陽光變得很溫柔，照在金黃的樹葉上，讓人感受到光帶來的色彩活力，最能體現
光影的感覺，「一葉知秋」，拍一片秋葉，道出它的意境， 那一路金黃的白楊太有魅力
了， 一派 Eastern Sierra 的風光！
The wild & scenic road glows with thick orange-gold hues of aspen groves on both sides.
光影的感覺，「一葉知秋」，拍一片秋葉，道出它的意境， 那一路金黃的白楊太有魅力
了， 一派 Eastern Sierra 的風光！
The wild & scenic road glows with thick orange-gold hues of aspen groves on both sides.
秋天是浪漫的，拿起相機，出去走走，怡然地欣賞這明媚的秋色，秋陽高照，逆光攝
影，與更多人分享這個季節的詩情畫意。
Autumn in Eastern Sierra:
Drops of yellow splatter the stands of aspen that grow near the tree line, around 12,000ft ASL (above sea
level). Soon it spills into the groves and luminous yellow swaths appear with dribbles of bright orange and
deep crimson. A blush spreads across the mountainside spreading a golden trim along the shores of sparkling
blue mountain lakes, alongside streams, and tracing contours down the canyons. The dark green of evergreen
trees mixes with the bright colors and the silvery grey granite crags rise above the surge of color.
Often large clouds gather and billow over the mountain peaks during the day. Then as evening approaches
strong winds aloft lift, smooth and shape them into lenticular wave clouds and the setting sun creates a fiery
display that rivals the show on the ground.
This spectacle in the sky is brief and unpredictable, but the colors on the landscape follow an established
pattern in time and place that is almost as predictable as the nightfall after the sunset.
影，與更多人分享這個季節的詩情畫意。
Autumn in Eastern Sierra:
Drops of yellow splatter the stands of aspen that grow near the tree line, around 12,000ft ASL (above sea
level). Soon it spills into the groves and luminous yellow swaths appear with dribbles of bright orange and
deep crimson. A blush spreads across the mountainside spreading a golden trim along the shores of sparkling
blue mountain lakes, alongside streams, and tracing contours down the canyons. The dark green of evergreen
trees mixes with the bright colors and the silvery grey granite crags rise above the surge of color.
Often large clouds gather and billow over the mountain peaks during the day. Then as evening approaches
strong winds aloft lift, smooth and shape them into lenticular wave clouds and the setting sun creates a fiery
display that rivals the show on the ground.
This spectacle in the sky is brief and unpredictable, but the colors on the landscape follow an established
pattern in time and place that is almost as predictable as the nightfall after the sunset.
秋天的顏色是金黃的，在陽光的照耀下，全透明了，唯美至極 ，意境像一首詩，帶你進
入靈魂的深處。
Go for an easy walk, Hope Valley will leave you breathless for its beauty.
入靈魂的深處。
Go for an easy walk, Hope Valley will leave you breathless for its beauty.
路兩邊的白楊樹“嘩嘩”舞動搖曳著金黃的樹葉。
那金黃色的樹葉千姿百態，如此驕艷 ，美麗極了！
Eastern Sierra fall colors.
Eastern Sierra fall colors.
多姿多彩的絢麗秋色，身置其中，如詩如畫，如入夢鄉！
Welcome to brilliant and thick aspen groves in Eastern Sierra.
Welcome to brilliant and thick aspen groves in Eastern Sierra.
金黃葉鋪天蓋地， 最是秋意濃。
金秋時節，濃濃秋意，美麗色彩和光影。
Experience a magical blend of autumnal color in Hope Valley.
Experience a magical blend of autumnal color in Hope Valley.
漫步林間， 享受色彩繽紛的秋天的美景，為多少人所嚮往。
You find yourself enclosed under a shining arbor of fall colored aspens. It feels quite ceremonious to drive
through this glowing tree tunnel and emerge from this short passage with your heart lightened and spirit
uplifted.
You find yourself enclosed under a shining arbor of fall colored aspens. It feels quite ceremonious to drive
through this glowing tree tunnel and emerge from this short passage with your heart lightened and spirit
uplifted.
秋葉泛黃，氣度醇美，色彩富麗， 金黃的艷色， 煞是撩人。
A slow drive, or leisurely walk will show off an assortment of fall color in Hope Valley.
A slow drive, or leisurely walk will show off an assortment of fall color in Hope Valley.
那金黃色的樹葉千姿百態， 美麗極了！
Swaths of brilliant color on mountain slope. In Eastern Sierra, fall color descends by elevation at a rate of
500 to 1,000′ a week, continuing to December. Eastern Sierra is one of the most photographed areas in
California, and is quite likely the very best location for fall color spotting and photography in California.
Swaths of brilliant color on mountain slope. In Eastern Sierra, fall color descends by elevation at a rate of
500 to 1,000′ a week, continuing to December. Eastern Sierra is one of the most photographed areas in
California, and is quite likely the very best location for fall color spotting and photography in California.
金秋，隨風搖曳的黃葉林，美景如畫。
秋正濃，夢鄉的黃金樹, 陽光下，一片金黃，漫步林間，自有一番別樣味道。
高原秋韻，盡賞大原風光，變幻莫測的大自然，給深秋大草原更增加了神奇 。
Natural solitude on the broad valley in Hope Valley.
Natural solitude on the broad valley in Hope Valley.
山路點金疊翠。
絢麗的“金秋畫廊”已隆重開啟， 那微妙的顏色之差異， 細細碎碎地塗描在蓊鬱蒼翠的綠
意中。
Multi layered canvas of beautiful autumn color.
意中。
Multi layered canvas of beautiful autumn color.
Lake Tahoe has a salmon run to spawn in every October:
Every October, hundreds of crimson-hued kokanee salmon are swimming from Lake Tahoe to go upstream
and to spawn in Taylor Creek, on the south shore of Lake Tahoe. In past years, as many as 80,000 salmon
are estimated to have spawned in this creek. There is a 0.5-mile hiking trail loop with boardwalk that threads
around the Taylor Creek for visitors to enjoy watching the salmon run on the creek. The hiking trail starts at
the Taylor Creek Visitor Center located at 35 Visitor Center Rd, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150.
So, on our one-day tour of Hope Valley, we also came to Taylor Creek Visitor Center and walked along the
0.5-mile trail loop to enjoy watching many crimson colored kokanee salmon in action in this creek.
Every October, hundreds of crimson-hued kokanee salmon are swimming from Lake Tahoe to go upstream
and to spawn in Taylor Creek, on the south shore of Lake Tahoe. In past years, as many as 80,000 salmon
are estimated to have spawned in this creek. There is a 0.5-mile hiking trail loop with boardwalk that threads
around the Taylor Creek for visitors to enjoy watching the salmon run on the creek. The hiking trail starts at
the Taylor Creek Visitor Center located at 35 Visitor Center Rd, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150.
So, on our one-day tour of Hope Valley, we also came to Taylor Creek Visitor Center and walked along the
0.5-mile trail loop to enjoy watching many crimson colored kokanee salmon in action in this creek.
I took a movie clip of many red colored salmon in action in Taylor Creek as shown on the following YouTube
website:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ps053G9Qt-E&feature=youtu.be
website:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ps053G9Qt-E&feature=youtu.be
這裡超過 8,500 英呎高度的部分路段的樹木是不一樣的。
背著照相機走遍千山萬水，為了捕捉最精彩的一面，四處遊歷， 訪山問道。
Special pine tree that grows on the rocks on high Sierra mountains.
背著照相機走遍千山萬水，為了捕捉最精彩的一面，四處遊歷， 訪山問道。
Special pine tree that grows on the rocks on high Sierra mountains.
In addition to salmon run, several mergansers were also in action on the beaver pond along Taylor Creek on
October 2, 2018. They dive frequently to eat something in the water.
I took a movie clip of several mergansers in action on Taylor Creek as shown in the following YouTube
website:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uVL5ArAWto&feature=youtu.be
October 2, 2018. They dive frequently to eat something in the water.
I took a movie clip of several mergansers in action on Taylor Creek as shown in the following YouTube
website:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uVL5ArAWto&feature=youtu.be
In addition to salmon and mergansers, we also saw a craw fish in Taylor Creek.
Breathtaking view of the beautiful Donner Lake with clear deep blue crystal water surrounded by Sierra
Nevada mountains of California as viewed from Donner Lake Vista Point parking lot on Interstate Highway 80
(I-80) eastbound near Donner Summit with elevation of 7,230 feet. On October 1, 2018, we drove from San
Francisco Bay Area to Reno, Nevada on I-80 which climbs up and crosses the Sierra Nevada high
mountains. Donner Lake Vista Point, a scenic photo opportunity, is about 6 miles west of the town of
Truckee, California.
Nevada mountains of California as viewed from Donner Lake Vista Point parking lot on Interstate Highway 80
(I-80) eastbound near Donner Summit with elevation of 7,230 feet. On October 1, 2018, we drove from San
Francisco Bay Area to Reno, Nevada on I-80 which climbs up and crosses the Sierra Nevada high
mountains. Donner Lake Vista Point, a scenic photo opportunity, is about 6 miles west of the town of
Truckee, California.
Zoom in on the famous Rainbow Bridge (Donner Summit Bridge) on Donner Pass Road as viewed from
Donner Lake Vista Point on I-80 eastbound. My compact super-zoom camera has 65X optical zoom.
Donner Lake Vista Point on I-80 eastbound. My compact super-zoom camera has 65X optical zoom.
Zoom in on the edge of the Parking Lot of Donner Lake Overlook on Donner Pass Road as viewed from
Donner Lake Vista Point on I-80 eastbound.
Donner Lake Vista Point on I-80 eastbound.
A view from Emigrant Gap Historical Marker and Vista Point on Interstate Highway 80 (I-80) westbound in
California, another scenic photo opportunity.
Emigrant Gap is a gap in a ridge on the historical California Trail as it crosses the Sierra Nevada, to the west
of what is now known as Donner Pass. Here the cliffs are so steep that, back about 170 years ago in the
1840s, the pioneers (emigrants) on their west bound emigration way to California had to lower their wagons
on ropes in order to continue going west. It was part of the historical Truckee Route, a portion of the
historical California Trail by which pioneers, heading west, emigrated from the United States to California,
which was part of Mexico until it was captured by the United States in the Mexican–American War (1846–
1848).
There is a California historical marker (number 403) here on Interstate 80 commemorating this brave and
arduous task.
The spring of 1845 saw the first covered wagons surmount the Sierra Nevada Mountains. They left this valley,
ascended to the ridge, and turned westward to old Emigrant Gap. The wagons were lowered by ropes to the
floor of Bear Valley. Hundreds followed before, during, and after the gold rush. This was a hazardous portion
of the historical overland emigrant trail.
Emigrant Gap is located near the town of Emigrant Gap, California.
California, another scenic photo opportunity.
Emigrant Gap is a gap in a ridge on the historical California Trail as it crosses the Sierra Nevada, to the west
of what is now known as Donner Pass. Here the cliffs are so steep that, back about 170 years ago in the
1840s, the pioneers (emigrants) on their west bound emigration way to California had to lower their wagons
on ropes in order to continue going west. It was part of the historical Truckee Route, a portion of the
historical California Trail by which pioneers, heading west, emigrated from the United States to California,
which was part of Mexico until it was captured by the United States in the Mexican–American War (1846–
1848).
There is a California historical marker (number 403) here on Interstate 80 commemorating this brave and
arduous task.
The spring of 1845 saw the first covered wagons surmount the Sierra Nevada Mountains. They left this valley,
ascended to the ridge, and turned westward to old Emigrant Gap. The wagons were lowered by ropes to the
floor of Bear Valley. Hundreds followed before, during, and after the gold rush. This was a hazardous portion
of the historical overland emigrant trail.
Emigrant Gap is located near the town of Emigrant Gap, California.
One corner of the large parking lot at Emigrant Gap Historical Marker and Vista Point of I-80 westbound in
California. On our return trip from Hope Valley/Lake Tahoe in Eastern Sierra to San Francisco Bay Area on
October 3, 2018, we stopped at this Vista Point on I-80 to enjoy the fantastic panoramic view at this historical
Emigrant Gap.
I took a movie scan of the panoramic view from this Vista Point as shown in the following YouTube website:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHCAmKLjqzE&feature=youtu.be
California. On our return trip from Hope Valley/Lake Tahoe in Eastern Sierra to San Francisco Bay Area on
October 3, 2018, we stopped at this Vista Point on I-80 to enjoy the fantastic panoramic view at this historical
Emigrant Gap.
I took a movie scan of the panoramic view from this Vista Point as shown in the following YouTube website:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHCAmKLjqzE&feature=youtu.be
Mount Tallac, with summit at 9,735ft above sea level, as viewed from the hiking trail loop and the meadow
around Taylor Creek. It is the jewel in the crown of mountains which ring Lake Tahoe. The willows, grass,
scrub and sage are also showing fall colors.
around Taylor Creek. It is the jewel in the crown of mountains which ring Lake Tahoe. The willows, grass,
scrub and sage are also showing fall colors.
The meadow and the reeds are a shimmering copper color as viewed from the hiking trail loop around Taylor
Creek.
Creek.
Taylor Creek meanders through this meadow and grassland with fall colors into Lake Tahoe which is hiding
behind the beautiful meadow.
The photos of Lake Tahoe, especially the spectacular Emerald Bay, can be seen from my previous trip in 2012
on my web page at:
https://www.shltrip.com/Spectacular_Eastern_Sierra_Part_2.html
behind the beautiful meadow.
The photos of Lake Tahoe, especially the spectacular Emerald Bay, can be seen from my previous trip in 2012
on my web page at:
https://www.shltrip.com/Spectacular_Eastern_Sierra_Part_2.html
Charming fall colors along the street (Highway 50) in the town of South Lake Tahoe.
黃樹秋意濃， Hope Valley 是 賞秋景必訪的地方。
人煙罕至的秋景小路，動人的秋色。
金黃色的白楊樹葉耀眼， 奔入大自然的懷抱中。
Hope Valley is only a small portion of the vast Eastern Sierra. Our one day tour of fall colors in Hope Valley
can be considered only as a "preview" of the spectacular fall colors in Eastern Sierra. More spectacular fall
colors can be seen at many more beautiful locations: several roads branching out and going west from the
main Highway 395 and follow glacier-carved canyons, streams and creeks to climb up to valleys, meadows,
and glacier fed emerald blue lakes providing a perfect contrast to bright gold aspens in Eastern Sierra
mountains. The fantastic tourist map and tourist guide in PDF are on the following website:
"California's Eastern Sierra Fall Color Guide & Map"
The following YouTube websites provide more amazing views of fall colors at many beautiful locations in
Eastern Sierra:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-k83HpZvmg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uB_SkY0Z23s&t=20s
Bishop Creek, Rock Creek, Virginia Lakes and Green Creek typically turn color first (mid-to late September),
with Mammoth Lakes, McGee Creek, Bridgeport, Conway Summit, Sonora and Monitor passes peaking next
(late September), and finally June Lake Loop, Lundy Canyon, Lee Vining Canyon, Convict Lake and the
West Walker River offering a grand finale from the first to third week of October. The City of Bishop shows
color into early November.
Therefore, our one-day tour of Hope Valley on October 2, 2018 is certainly not enough. We probably will
come back again and spend multiple days to experience everything there is to see, to do and to photograph
in a future year. In addition to fantastic fall colors, other nearby must-see attractions include ancient
Bristlecone Pine Forest, Alabama Hills, October salmon spawning run on Taylor Creek, Death Valley
National Park, Trona Pinnacles National Natural Landmark, Mammoth Lakes Basin, Devils Postpile, Rainbow
Falls, Bodie ghost town, Buckeye and/or Travertine hot springs, Mono Lake South Tufa, Tioga Pass Road,
Yosemite National Park plus various festivals and attractions for hiking, camping, fishing and boating.
Furthermore, in the summer to early fall, millions of migratory birds and ducks come to Mono Lake in Eastern
Sierra for weeks to feast on trillions of brine shrimps and alkali brine flies in and near Mono Lake as
described on these websites:
http://www.monolake.org/about/ecobirds
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PFId1iAjnw
In Late spring, about 65,000 California Gulls arrive to breed on islands on Mono Lake as shown in the
following YouTube movie:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnxUX1RIlzY
These California gulls chase and eat alkali brine flies on the shore of Mono Lake as shown in the following
YouTube movie:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIqIAvEOGDs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iPiGUTw_VI
These spectacles attract many bird watchers to Eastern Sierra during suitable seasons.
The fall season is yet another reason why US Highway 395 is designated a Scenic Byway by the State of
California. The 395 corridor through the Eastern Sierra offers jaw-dropping views right from the windshield
and should be on all epic road trip bucket lists, especially in the autumn. The best time to see the
spectacular array of color is usually mid-September to mid-October. Savor the drive, pull over often, park
and explore…and prepare to be astonished!
can be considered only as a "preview" of the spectacular fall colors in Eastern Sierra. More spectacular fall
colors can be seen at many more beautiful locations: several roads branching out and going west from the
main Highway 395 and follow glacier-carved canyons, streams and creeks to climb up to valleys, meadows,
and glacier fed emerald blue lakes providing a perfect contrast to bright gold aspens in Eastern Sierra
mountains. The fantastic tourist map and tourist guide in PDF are on the following website:
"California's Eastern Sierra Fall Color Guide & Map"
The following YouTube websites provide more amazing views of fall colors at many beautiful locations in
Eastern Sierra:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-k83HpZvmg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uB_SkY0Z23s&t=20s
Bishop Creek, Rock Creek, Virginia Lakes and Green Creek typically turn color first (mid-to late September),
with Mammoth Lakes, McGee Creek, Bridgeport, Conway Summit, Sonora and Monitor passes peaking next
(late September), and finally June Lake Loop, Lundy Canyon, Lee Vining Canyon, Convict Lake and the
West Walker River offering a grand finale from the first to third week of October. The City of Bishop shows
color into early November.
Therefore, our one-day tour of Hope Valley on October 2, 2018 is certainly not enough. We probably will
come back again and spend multiple days to experience everything there is to see, to do and to photograph
in a future year. In addition to fantastic fall colors, other nearby must-see attractions include ancient
Bristlecone Pine Forest, Alabama Hills, October salmon spawning run on Taylor Creek, Death Valley
National Park, Trona Pinnacles National Natural Landmark, Mammoth Lakes Basin, Devils Postpile, Rainbow
Falls, Bodie ghost town, Buckeye and/or Travertine hot springs, Mono Lake South Tufa, Tioga Pass Road,
Yosemite National Park plus various festivals and attractions for hiking, camping, fishing and boating.
Furthermore, in the summer to early fall, millions of migratory birds and ducks come to Mono Lake in Eastern
Sierra for weeks to feast on trillions of brine shrimps and alkali brine flies in and near Mono Lake as
described on these websites:
http://www.monolake.org/about/ecobirds
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PFId1iAjnw
In Late spring, about 65,000 California Gulls arrive to breed on islands on Mono Lake as shown in the
following YouTube movie:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnxUX1RIlzY
These California gulls chase and eat alkali brine flies on the shore of Mono Lake as shown in the following
YouTube movie:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIqIAvEOGDs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iPiGUTw_VI
These spectacles attract many bird watchers to Eastern Sierra during suitable seasons.
The fall season is yet another reason why US Highway 395 is designated a Scenic Byway by the State of
California. The 395 corridor through the Eastern Sierra offers jaw-dropping views right from the windshield
and should be on all epic road trip bucket lists, especially in the autumn. The best time to see the
spectacular array of color is usually mid-September to mid-October. Savor the drive, pull over often, park
and explore…and prepare to be astonished!
From parking lot of Donner Lake Vista Point, zoom in on the famous Rainbow Bridge (Donner Summit Bridge)
on Donner Pass Road.
on Donner Pass Road.
From parking lot of Donner Lake Vista Point, zoom in on concrete snow sheds of the historical railroad track at
Donner Summit as part of the transcontinental railroad over Donner Summit.
Donner Summit gets 35 to 40 feet of snow a year and sometimes 60 or 70 feet. Snow drifts can be dozens of
feet high. And then there are avalanches. In January, 1870, just a few months after the Golden Spike was
pounded into place completing the first transcontinental railroad, an avalanche covered and tore away
hundreds of feet of railroad track. A blizzard followed. Miles of railroad track were blocked and it kept
snowing. The snow shovelers and buckers (engines with plows) could not make headway. Workers cleared for
six days and still there were 7 miles of snow covered track to go. California was cut off from the nation in
1870 by such heavy snow.
Therefore about 40 miles of wooden snow sheds were constructed in subsequent years to protect the railroad
track in Donner Summit and nearby high Sierra area. They used 65 million board feet of lumber and 900 tons
of bolts and spikes.
However, the wooden sheds, sitting in the summer sun, were terrible fire hazards acting sometimes like flues.
The mountains of accumulating winter snow could also collapse them. So, the wooden snow sheds were later
replaced by concrete snow sheds.
Donner Summit as part of the transcontinental railroad over Donner Summit.
Donner Summit gets 35 to 40 feet of snow a year and sometimes 60 or 70 feet. Snow drifts can be dozens of
feet high. And then there are avalanches. In January, 1870, just a few months after the Golden Spike was
pounded into place completing the first transcontinental railroad, an avalanche covered and tore away
hundreds of feet of railroad track. A blizzard followed. Miles of railroad track were blocked and it kept
snowing. The snow shovelers and buckers (engines with plows) could not make headway. Workers cleared for
six days and still there were 7 miles of snow covered track to go. California was cut off from the nation in
1870 by such heavy snow.
Therefore about 40 miles of wooden snow sheds were constructed in subsequent years to protect the railroad
track in Donner Summit and nearby high Sierra area. They used 65 million board feet of lumber and 900 tons
of bolts and spikes.
However, the wooden sheds, sitting in the summer sun, were terrible fire hazards acting sometimes like flues.
The mountains of accumulating winter snow could also collapse them. So, the wooden snow sheds were later
replaced by concrete snow sheds.
The road becomes steep with sharp curves up to rugged high country and sheer magnitude of the crags in
Eastern Sierra.
Eastern Sierra.
Wonderful autumn vistas along the road.
Highway 89 and Highway 88 offer lovely fall color vistas due to stands of aspen along the highway.
金秋，璀璨的森林組成一幅絕美畫卷, 走在這裡彷彿穿行在人間仙境
中。
The golden aspen groves that line the roads in Hope Valley.
中。
The golden aspen groves that line the roads in Hope Valley.
Driving through a grove of willow and aspen that shake and shimmer like suspended gold confetti.
層林盡染，秋色宜人。