Summer changed to fall on the Autumn Equinox on Sept. 22, but it was a few weeks of smoke-filled days that really marked the changing of the seasons this year. For a short while, visitors stayed home and out of the smokey air, but as the smoke left the Tahoe Sierra the influx of visitors returned, albeit not as many.
Parking lots around Emerald Bay and the East Shore remain packed with visitors as do many popular outdoor locations, although many U.S. Forest Service campgrounds remain closed throughout the region due to wildfire danger. Campgrounds in the Sierra State Parks will also close for the season on Sept. 30.
Fall is my favorite time for outdoor adventures as the trails are typically less busy and the traffic is mild. However, with ongoing pandemic shutdowns and virtual school in place in most communities it will be interesting to see if the region sees less traffic and visitors. What is sure is that the threat of wildfires remains, and we must all be vigilant. Learn more about being prepared from our recent story on “Fire, Fear & Red Flags” available at TheTahoeWeekly.com.
Fall colors or snow?
Fall happens quickly in the Tahoe Sierra and if you wait, you’ll miss it. Now is the time to start exploring higher-elevation trails for fall color. In the coming weeks, the fall colors will cascade down the mountainside to lower elevations as we enter October.
Tim Hauserman shares his recent outing on the Clear Creek Trail in this edition, which is great for views and fall colors. You can find some more of our favorite fall trails at TheTahoeWeekly.com. Click on Fall under the Get Outside menu.
Just as fall makes its brief showing of color, fall also usually brings our first snow to the Tahoe Sierra dusting some of our higher-elevation peaks and we are past due for that first snowfall.
Locals revel in talk of when the first snow will arrive, and the Sierra State Parks Foundation has come up with a unique fundraiser and is hosting its First Day of Snow Bet to raise funds for the organization.
Take a guess (1 guess costs $5) and choose the date when you think it will snow 1 inch in front of the Pioneer Monument at Donner Memorial State Park between now and Dec. 31. I’ve placed my bet, but I’m not sharing. Make your guess at sierrastateparks.org.
Last chance to win
Our Donation Giveaway to win a custom table from Tahoe Slab concludes on Oct. 5, so make your $20 donation now to be entered in our giveaway for a custom, handcrafted 24” x 48” English walnut and Tahoe Blue epoxy coffee table from Tahoe Slab. The table is valued at more than $2,000. Enter by donating at paypal.me/TahoeWeekly or mail checks to P.O. Box 154, Tahoe Vista, CA 96148 (we must receive them by Oct. 5). Watch the table’s creation at @tahoeslabfurniture on Facebook and @tahoeslab on Instagram.
