On the Road is a weekday feature spotlighting reader photo submissions.
From the exotic to the familiar, whether you’re traveling or in your own backyard, we would love to see the world through your eyes.
UncleEbeneezer
After our breakfast it was time to hit the road. One of the places we really wanted to explore on this trip was, generally, Lee Vining. And more specifically, Poole Power Plant Rd., which is situated right off of Route 120 (Tioga Pass) along Lee Vining Creek:
“The creek is used for hydropower generation at the Poole power plant operated by Southern California Edison, located within Lee Vining Canyon. Water impounded by dams at Ellery (formerly Rhinedollar) and Saddlebag Lakes are released to generate power over a total drop of 1,700 feet (520 m). The original hydroelectric system, developed by Nevada-California Power Company in the 1920s, was larger and consisted of three power plants known as Lee Vining Nos. 1, 2 and 3. Today, only Lee Vining No. 1 remains operational.[4][5]“
Much like the June Lakes Loop, the fall color along Lee Vining Creek was spotty and just getting started. But when backlit by the morning sun, it was still quite lovely. Along Poole Power Plant Rd. there are a couple nice waterfalls.
It’s pretty hard to be sun-dappled aspens, imo.
Wonderful little view of Lee Vining Creek.
After a quick stop at the power plant we turned around and headed back down the road. It’s amazing how much prettier it was in this direction due to the different light.
We LOVE Fall Color!!!
Getting a picture with no power lines marring it, is a forever challenge. As the name suggests, it was especially difficult on this drive. But every now and then we got lucky.
The mix of pines and aspens is a nice contrast.
One last look down the long and winding road before we head up to Bridgeport. Until next time PPP Road…
Chris T.
It’s easy for aspens to be aspens. It’s hard for other things to be them, though.
BretH
Beautious! Looking at the photos I can imagine being there, great shots!
HinTN
That’s a great picture of Lee Vining Creek, UncleE. As is the road with the mix of trees. Thanks for taking us there.
Albatrossity
It sure is, Especially in the slant light of morning or evening, and especially in mountainous country!
That’s one of my favorite parts of the eastern Sierras. Thanks for the vicarious trip!
UncleEbeneezer
@Chris T.: “Beat”. It was supposed to say “beat” lol.
UncleEbeneezer
@Albatrossity: Learning that fall foliage looks better when backlit was one of those mind-blown things we just recently learned. So obvious but we were completely oblivious to it for years.
sab
To this midwesterner California any time of year is gorgeous beyond belief, but Fall colors there is a ridiculous concept. Boring yellow leaves.
eclare
@UncleEbeneezer:
I wondered what that meant!
Beautiful photos, thanks for taking us along on your trip.
UncleEbeneezer
@sab: It’s definitely not as varied as New England but it’s still pretty spectacular especially when you are in a grove. Or when you get large swaths of groves covering the mountains. And especially when they are around lakes. The combination of lakes, granite spires and golden aspens is a pretty unique combo. New England/the East/Midwest etc., have the oranges and reds that we lack. But our mountains and lakes blow theirs away. And I say that as a former New Englunduh who still considers it home. We do get some oranges and reds out here but not a ton and they usually aren’t near the aspens (which are higher altitude).
UncleEbeneezer
@eclare: You’re welcome.
Interstadial
The Poole Power Plant Road has not only a lot of aspen, but also some amazing old-growth Jeffrey pines. It’s suitable for a very leisurely drive, taking time and stopping often to soak it all in.
@sab: The aspens are mostly yellow but sometimes there are some scattered oranges and near-reds. It’ll vary place to place and year to year. Some understory plants turn orange or red.
This area is on the east side of the Sierra where aspens provide the main fall color. The west side is moister with a milder climate, and has a greater variety of species. Flowering dogwood (a similar species to the eastern one) in particular often turns a brilliant red, which it did for our honeymoon long ago.
I still remember a trip to Lake Tahoe from the Bay Area one October as a young teen. Once we got well up into the Sierra there was a riot of yellows, oranges, and reds in the understory in addition to the scattered groves of aspen. Unfortunately it was nothing like that when my wife and I went up this October.
You’re still not going to get the fall color here that you can get in the upper Midwest or New England, but there are treasures hidden among the dominant conifers in these mountains.