[pics] Jeeping the Fall Colors of Eastern Sierra Nevada
GalleryLifestyle September 30, 2019 Del Albright
Fall Colors Explosion of Eastern California/Western Nevada
My old red Jeep was making its way through the desert sage-surrounded trail, getting a little “pin striping” as we poked along. For miles we could see mostly the juniper trees, pinyon pine and sage brush that eastern California and western Nevada are known for.
Then it hit us! Like a bright light in a dark room we turned a corner and kaboom – GOLD!
Patches of Aspens light up the sage brush flats on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada Mountains
Stuck in this sage draw was a patch of aspen trees lit up like Christmas with yellow and golden leaves quivering in the breeze! The contrast in color between the sage and the aspens was truly a delight. We all stopped our Jeeps and gawked.
Aspen, known as Quaking Aspen, are famous for “trembling” in the wind. In fact, their scientific name Populus Tremuloides means trembling (or quaking) poplar (aspen).
The range of Quaking Aspen trees in N. America.
“Quakies” are deciduous trees that drop their leaves quickly once the freezing temps hit the mountains. So, catching the colors at peak is a bit tricky sometimes. But here are some to delight your senses.
Enjoy the pics of fall colors:
We drove through miles of patches of Aspens to get to this destination ghost town at 10,000 in eastern CA.
Nothing like color in your mirror and your windshield
Can’t get better than a fall color reflection
Aspen trees are known for carvings from the first few decades of the 1900’s.
Picture postcard photo from Hope Valley, CA
Fall colors are best enjoyed with fellow Jeepers and friends.
What do you think? 1908, 1911, other date?
Finding some legal Jeep trails add to the fun of fall color chasing.
Friends and fall colors
Waterfall just adds to the magic of these fall colors
You should find your road into fall colors
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More from ModernJeeper on Aspen Trees — and if they could talk (carvings) here.