Life with ArielIt’s that time of the year again. October is the month for fall colors. Before the leaves fully fell out, I went on a spontaneous trip this past weekend to catch some final foliage of 2022. This year, I decided to visit a few less-known places at the border of California and Nevada. Without the crowd, it was quiet and peaceful everywhere. I could truly take my time strolling around and appreciating California autumn. Just like in the past years, the highlights of my trip were all pleasant surprises that I never planned for.
Monitor Pass
Monitor Pass is located at 8314 feet elevation on Highway 89 near Markleeville, CA. The aspen foliage of Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest was stunning, especially in the section at the foot of Leviathan Peak. You will encounter no one else here and have the fall colors all to yourself.
The drive from Monitor Pass to Highway 395 was beautiful as well. It’s a scenic drive overlooking vast meadows and mountain ridges. The weather was not the sunniest when I came. But the drive was gorgeous in a special way. I got to see the half sunny half gloomy sky with low clouds floating right above me. Sun rays shot down from the clouds through the misty fog, casting over the Sierra Mountains. It was one of the surreal moments to admire Mother Nature.
Walker River
I had no idea Highway 395 runs next to the Walker River. I was heading to a trail head in Bridgeport, CA and accidentally spotted shining fall colors at its peak along the highway. There was a clear river running through the yellow leaves. The section at the foot of Mt Patterson was too beautiful to be missed. The banks of the river were all in bright yellow, while the mountain above was still green. With the baby blue sky, you get all colors in different layers at once. The sound of running creek is one of the most soothing sounds in the world. I sat on the banks of the river and forgot about time. Ariel happily climbed the rocks, tasted the river, and enjoyed the chilly wind.
First Snow
I encountered the first snow during my stay. Before it came, it was super cold and windy that I couldn’t even open my eyes. However, the day after snow was the prettiest. Everything looked like it’s been washed by the snow. Even the air tasted sweeter. The crispy air woke me up from my weariness of my 9-to-5 job. The sun was warm and bright. Grass also looked greener, like it had sucked up all the moist and thrived overnight. The snow powered over the mountain tops like a thin layer of frosting over a pound cake.
Carson Pass Highway (I-88)
My original plan was to return home through Sonora Pass on I-108, the same way I came. But due to the snow, the road was closed. I had to drive north then to I-88. The Carson Pass Highway is famous for fall colors in California. The popular Hope Valley, as posted in my other blog about Lake Tahoe surroundings, is next to the highway. Late October already passed the peak of Hope Valley. But the highway still got several golden sections. For example, I found a secret campground right behind the Hope Valley Cafe. I couldn’t even find it on the map and only came across it when I stopped by the cafe for a coffee. The campsite was empty. Ariel and I had the entire place by ourselves. Bathed in the warm sun, walking among the yellow and orange tall trees felt healing.
Scenic Drive on I-395
I never thought I would enjoy the drive along I-395. It seemed just a boring road that runs through deserts and connects several cities and towns in the middle of nowhere. I was wrong. First, the highway was not busy. So there was no traffic jam or anxious drivers who couldn’t wait to pass me. Second, the section from Nevada to Sonora Pass was very scenic. You will see peaceful meadows and ranches between Nevada and Walker, CA with a wide range of mountains in the backdrop. Further down south, the Walker River starts to materialize. Once you enter the Mt Patterson area, rocky mountains, green forest, and running rivers will overwhelm you.
I stopped by a community park in Walker, CA to rest and play fetch with Ariel. I laid back in my lounge chair, staring at the green and yellow trees around me, and emptied my mind. There was not a single soul around. Other than the sound of wind and Ariel panting, it’s pure silence and peacefulness. At that moment, with beautiful nature and Ariel running freely around me, my whole world smiled.
Topaz Lake
Topaz Lake is a reservoir lying on the California-Nevada border. The lake itself was not that special. But it was far less crowded than Lake Tahoe. You can fish, camp, and boat here. It was tranquil, vast, and decorated by fall colors. Ariel loved the cold and windy weather there. She even learnt how to dig on the shores.
