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Fall Color Guide . . .
Every fall the Sierras come a live with Autumn colors. Here are some suggested getaway spots for you to investigate. Be sure to carry water, food, warm clothes, cell phone, flashlights, and other gear incase of emergency. There are many remote areas in the mountains and the weather can catch you off guard.
Chester/Lake Almanor
Hwy 36 Red Bluff
Hwy 32 Chico
Head for Lake Almanor for magnificent views of Lassen Peak. Color abounds. Then head for Main Street in Chester and you'll find Cottonwoods and Maples. Miles of Dogwood are found east and west on Hwy 36. Feather River Drive at the fire hall rewards you with Birch and Aspen along forest roads to Warner Valley, Benner Creek and Juniper Lake. Follow hwy 36 east of Chester and you'll find Alders, Oaks and Indian Ruhbarb along Deer Creek.
Another spectular Fall Foiage Drive is to enter Lassen Volcanic National Park on Hwy 89 for quaking Aspen, thermal pools and stunning landscapes.
Indian Creek &
Indian Valley
Hwy A22 East of Taylorsville
Begin at the Intersection of highways 89 and 70 heading north toward Greenville just east of Quincy. This drive follows Indian Creek and visitors are greeted with hillsides covered with orange Oak, red Chokecherry and Dogwood and the crystalline waters of the stream are lined with amber willow and flaming red Indian rhubarb. Head towards Taylorsville and the entire valley is visible at the base of Mt. Hough. Look for bands of oak and aspen descending the mountain and ravines. Giant saffron colored falls. Continue on and you come upon Antelope Lake. For those lucky enough to have time to connect onto the Old Genesee-Beckworth Road, newly graded, you can circle back to Hwy 70 east of Portola.
La Porte Road to Cromberg
Just east of Quincy take the La Porte road south and drive less than a mile to the old Thompson Ranch. On the left side of the road stands an enormous English maple that turns incredible shades of pink and deep scarlet. The drive to La Porte is steep and takes 45 minutes and you'll arrive at he former Gold Rush town. it is a spectacular fall color excursion that winds along canyons and meadows, crossing the Middle Fork of the Wild and Scenic Feather River and passing a historic bridge. This is a spectacular fall color excursion that has meadows. Returning back the way you came to Hwy 70 head east toward Cromberg/Portola and you'll experience dazzling colors of Oak, Cottonwood and Dogwood and dazzling colors that paint a canvass of Fall.
Portola/Lake Davis
Beckwourth
Hwy 70 East of Portola
Lake Davis is located just a short drive north of Portola via West Street. Groves of bright yellow Aspen highlight the trip around the 15 mile loop. You'll cross over the dam and find a tourist kiosk to entertain you. Camping and RVing at Lake Davis are especially serene and nature abounds. At the stop sign taking a left will take you by plenty of places to pull off and enjoy the Lake. Return back and continue south down Grizzly Road until you come to Hwy 70 again. You can visit the Beckwourth Cabin just on the other side of Hwy 70 on your right. Beckwourth pioneered the Beckwouth Pass into Sierra Valley and the town of Beckwourth is named after him. If you turn left on the Beckwourth-Genessee Road you can circle north to Antelope Lake and loop into the Indian Creek and Indian Valley drive outlined above. There were plenty of Swiss and Italians that settled the Sierra Valley and familes of these pioneers carry on today.
Feather River Canyon
Hwy 70 Oroville
The Feather River Canyon can be found east outside of Oroville on Hwy 70E which has been designated a California "Scenic Byway" which offers visitors a breathtaking 75 mile drive to Quincy, the county-seat of Plumas County. It features steep rugged terrain and canyon walls, a wild and scenic river, unexpected wildlife, and the historic Feather River railroad weaves track along the camino with hydropower plants taking advantage of raging waters. You'll find masses of golden Oak, blazing Dogwood, big leaf Maple, Rebud and Aspen. Colors range from Chartreuse to flaxen golds intermixed with evergreens and pines. Take a hike along the river and Spanish Creek.
Quincy/Bucks Lake
Hwy 162 Quincy
Starting out in Quincy you'll find stately ornamental silver Maples, liquid ambers, Sycamores, Locust trees and Virginia creeper which adorns the historic and grand four-story Plumas County Courthouse. The Quincy High School touts rows of Maples. Quincy Junction Road and Chandler Roads offer valley vistas including Oak and Cottonwood. Then head up Bucks Lake Road located just west of the Courthouse. (where one-way, W. Main changes into Bucks Lake Road). Mapes, Dogwoods appear along the way. Follow Big Creek Road a few miles past Bucks Lake and you'll discover groves of Aspen and creek Willow.
Graeagle & Lakes Basin Recreation
Hwy 89S Gold Lake Rd
Hwy 49 Downieville
From Hwy 70, just 25 miles east of Quincy head south on Hwy 89 toward Truckee. Experience the old mill town of Graeagle offering shops, galleries, antiques, restaurants, winery, brewery and lots of pioneer history. You'll cross over the Feather River. Take Hwy A-14 to historic Johnsville, renowned for the birth of downhill skiing in the Western Hemisphere, located inside the California Eureka State Park. Cottonwoods, willow and aspen turn to yellows and golds. Just outside of Graeagle turn on to the Gold Lakes Road and the Lakes Basin Recreation Area beckons with Alpine lakes, rugged off roading, canoeing, hiking and fishing.Quaking aspen, coottonwoods and myriad of ground cover provide the stark contrasts against granite peaks. The Sierra Buttes will bowl you over with its beauty any time of the year. Especially in Fall. The Gold Lake Road Ts into Hwy 49 for another spectacular drive of its own.
Little Last Chance Creek/Frenchman Lake
Hwy 70 Chilcoot/Vinton
I never new that the name Last Chance came from the nearby creek but living in Chilccot, Vinton, Loyalton and Beckwourth made one think that this was their Last Chance. Like the Beckwourth-Genesee Road, the road to Frenchman Lake has unique formations of dark volcanic rock from an exquisite backdrop for neon yellow Aspen. cpmpleting the loop by Frenchman Lake and north and back to the Beckwourth Genesee Road will take you 3 hours and only 35 miles but it will re-establish your pioneer spirit. Bring your camera and enjoy large stands of Aspen, Willow, Maples, Cottonwood, oaks and more.
Follow the lakes west shore 25N11Follow Ferris Creek and last Chance Creek.