The summer heat dragged on a bit longer than usual this year, so we had to wait for the first chill in the high Sierra. Finally the time was right! We packed up “Lucille” and hit the road, traversing Tioga Pass in Yosemite National Park.
Our first stop was Virginia Lakes, and we quickly realized that the trees at the lake had mostly shed their leaves at this point. Still, it was nice having lunch at the lake, and in the late afternoon we managed to find a colorful grove at a lower elevation.
I was a bit sad we missed the aspens at the lake, but very few people know about this location…so we kind of had it to ourselves. These trees at “golden hour” really made for a memorable experience.
We found a nice site tucked away in the pines where we spent the night.
The next morning we departed for the aspen groves up on Lobdell Lake Road. Here, we would set up camp right in the middle of the action, and we had no idea just how idyllic the experience would be.
This was a great place to escape near-record temperatures in October. We were lucky to have perfect weather during the days, and colder temps at night, which keeps the trees increasingly vibrant. As a bonus, unlike the similar springtime temps, in fall there are no insects to bother you.
It’s quite surreal to drive miles out into the barren eastern Sierra, and suddenly come upon this creek setting with an explosion of color!
Abbie had a great time playing in the leaves and climbing the boulders around our camp. She loves being out in nature just as much as I do.
I took her on a hike along the creek, and decided to teach her how to take a photo. I wasn’t holding my breath that a 3 year old could take a decent photo, but she surprised me! I’m grateful to have a rare picture of me out in my “happy place”.
She wanted to climb out over the creek as well. I realized it was also a good opportunity for her to work on her balance and coordination. Every trip out is an opportunity to learn and grow.
Speaking of which, we set her up to learn some spelling and do artwork out in the forest. I hope she retains all these memories. If not, at least the photos are here to help.
We felt such a strong connection to this place that we decided to leave some of my mother’s ashes here. That way we can always return and be close to her in the future.
Abbie hasn’t learned to fully ride a bike yet, but this was the first trip I decided to bring my bike out on.
It really was exhilarating riding through the crisp, cool mountain air at 9,000 feet. I even experienced a brief (and mild) rainstorm along the way.
The wind picked up and began to blow the leaves off the trees along the road. As raindrops started falling, I realized I was a bit far from camp. As I huffed and puffed back up the mountain, my phone played Bob Dylan’s “Shelter From the Storm”. It was just too perfect.
The “storm” quickly passed, and a bit later I rode up the mountain to catch the sunset. Feeling grateful to be able to be out in my element once again.
After a few spectacular nights here, we packed up and headed up 395 to refuel and cut over to Monitor Pass. We hadn’t planned on staying up there, but we turned down a rugged forest road and found a perfect spot.
She found some sap on the rock – or I should say…the sap found her.
We didn’t have the ground clearance to make it down the road to the aspens, so I did a solo hike in the late afternoon to check it out. The thin air up here does an aging body no favors, but thankfully it was a bit less grueling than my bike ride up the mountain the day before.
After a few miles of this meandering dirt road (and noting countless carvings in the trunks of the aspen trees), I wanted to return to get the rest of the family. The lighting on the mountains was really something! A great way to cap off the day.
Our ultimate destination was visiting aunt Dana near Roseville, so as we made our way west, we decided to stop at Silver Lake and visit more of mom’s ashes I placed up here a few years ago.
Mom’s grandfather (who Dana was named after) was the mayor of Stockton, California a hundred years ago. He loved this beautiful lake, and gave the commencement speech at Stockton Camp, along the east shore.
Very close to here is the “Potholes Trail”, right along the river. I was happy to finally bring the family to one of my favorite hiking spots. They loved it, and I even took a refreshing dip in the chilly water!
From here, we followed the Silver Fork of the American river all the way up to HWY 50, then continued up to Icehouse Reservoir for a brief stop. I had never seen these places, and while the windy roads did a number on Shella, the scenery was fantastic.
Well, that about does it for this journey. I imagine the next one will be a desert trip in the winter, but we will see.
Until next time,
Nathan + fam
