Paint-out at Watson Lake was good!

We did not get rained on...although there were a few droplets.  Monika, Ronnie and I met at Brockway Summit and drove the 6 miles north to Watson Lake.  The wooden sign I remembered no longer was there (probably due to snow damage), however, someone wrote on the pavement with an arrow to turn left to go to Watson Lake!  Also, someone marked the rock with a red blotch of paint.  So, that is your back-woods signage for you!

Another surprise was that it is now a permit camping area!  But there was still area to park for day use.

Here are the artists at work:

And here is Moxie, looking for fish...

She held this pose for so long, I decided to put her in my painting!

Next, we drove back out, and along the Fiberboard Freeway, we decided to paint the wildflowers:

We worked very fast, because it was getting cold and some drops of rain were starting to fall....however, it never really broke into a real rain....but it sure makes you work fast!

June 23 (Sunday) Paint-Out at Watson Lake (above Tahoe City)

Date:          June 23, 2013 (Sunday)
Time:          9:00 - 9:30 am or earlier if you want!
Place:         Watson Lake
Parking:      Small dirt parking area for picnic, hiking, etc.  Since this is a summer weekend, advise getting there between 9 and 9:30

Amenities:    Port-a-pottie nearby
                    Cell service is questionable

Directions:    From South end of Reno to Brockway Summit:  About 30 miles/50 min:  Take Mt. Rose Hwy to Incline, turn Right on N. Lake Blvd. heading to Kings Beach, turn Right on 267 (No. Shore Rd) and go up to the top (Brockway Summit) and turn Left at the turn-out.  This should be the entrance to Fiberboard Freeway.  Fiberboard Freeway is a paved logging road.  Take this road for about 6 miles (miles are marked on the pavement for bicyclists).  At some point the road has changed name to Mount Watson Road.  Watch for a spur road to the left and sign that says "Watson Lake".  This is a short (less than one mile) road to the lake that ends in a parking area for picnic and hiking around this little lake.

From Northwest Reno to Brockway Summit:  About the same time and mileage, but go I-80 to Truckee, take 267 turn-off and head west toward Northstar.  Pass Northstar and continue up to Brockway Summit and look for the turn-off on the right.

From Brockway Summit to Watson Lake:  6.7 miles

Map:            http://www.tahoeloco.com/archives/2938  this link has a map that shows the paved road from 267 at Brockway Summit to Watson Lake.  If you click the zoom-in several times, you can see the names of the roads and even the trail names.

Meeting Place:    If you are uncertain about the logging road from Brockway Summit to Watson Lake, Monika and I are meeting at the turn-off at Brockway Summit and the Fiberboard Freeway at 9:00 and caravanning in.


What to bring:

• camera
• painting gear
• drinking water, snacks or lunch
• sunscreen and hat and bug spray
• jacket or windbreaker (it is always cooler up in the mountains)
• cell phone
• TP (port-a-potties supplies can't be relied on)

Parking area is a stone's throw from the lake.  An easy trail goes around the lake.  The Tahoe Rim Trail is here as well.  I haven't been there since 2006, and my pictures were taken then of the lovely area:

Recent Paint-Outs to Blue Lakes and Tahoe Meadows

Blue Lakes

Last week, Ida Glazier, Carol, Emma and I met at Blue Lakes.  It was a beautiful morning, but a brisk mountain breeze sent Carol and Emma seeking shelter back at the Lily Pond.  Ida and I found enough shelter among the rocks.  Even though the lake is beautiful and a good subject, we opted for intimate scenes along the shore.  On the drive back, we enjoyed the wildflower display!

This paint-out was a small group and not advertised in advance.  Partly because there are SO MANY gorgeous places to paint on the way, and partly because there is no cell service up there.  Forecast was being watched as well.

 If you want to go from Reno - take 395 south through Minden and turn right on Hwy 88.  At the junction, take Hwy 89 to the right and go up the hill, through Hope Valley.  Turn left on Blue Lakes Road and follow it to the end.  At the end is parking at Blue Lakes, some picnic tables and bathrooms.  Fishing and kayaking are popular, but it was too windy and choppy on the lake for Carol on this day.  Some of the roads from this point are dirt and high clearance vehicles is necessary.  Before you get there - look for the lily pond on the right.  There is room to park off the road on the side.

Tahoe Meadows (aka Mt. Rose Meadows to some of us!)

We had some new folks join us today at Tahoe Meadows - Ray, Diane and Vickie.  Also present were Monika and myself.  It was gorgeous and green up there, and no bugs yet!  A few wildflowers are beginning to come out.  We got up there before the wind picked up, but a few umbrellas caught a gust now and then....but no mishaps!

June 17, 2013 (Monday) Mount Rose Meadows Trailhead Parking Lot

Date:     June 17, 2013 (Monday)
Time:     9:30 am  (note the earlier time!)
Place:    Mt. Rose Meadows Trailhead Parking Lot
Amenities:    Bathrooms, level and maintained trail around the perimeter of the meadow, wildflower viewing

What to bring:

• camera
• painting gear
• drinking water
• hat, bug spray, sunscreen, long pants, hiking boots

What you will see and/or paintable subject matter:  gorgeous green meadow, wildflowers, mountain tops, trees

Hazards:  maybe a few wet spots in the meadow at this time of year from snowmelt.  Maybe some mosquitos or bugs

Directions:  From Reno, take Mt. Rose Hwy to the top and the parking lot is on the left.  Drive down the road to the parking lot and there is a restroom there and the trailhead signs.

Link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/regions/intermountain/MtRoseMeadows/index.shtml

Paint-Outs From May, 2013

The month of May had variable weather up here in the high desert and the Sierras.  We were unable to post outings in advance for anyone to join in.  Here are some pictures of our paint-outs for your future reference to add to your "great painting spots" list!

Silver Lake - On Hwy 88 near the town of Kit Carson (west of Kirkwood Ski Resort)

Carol's painting at Silver Lake

Michael painting at Silver Lake

Martis Creek - May 20, 2013

From I-80, take 267 towards North Star Ski Resort.  The sign for the trailhead parking lot is on the right.  There is a port-a-pottie and a picnic table.

View from parking lot of Martis Creek Trailhead

Monika and Moxie

Thomas Creek - May 21, 2013
From Reno, take the Mt. Rose Hwy west, at the base of the mountain, turn right on Timberline Drive.  Go to the end, begin the dirt road and cross the wooden bridge.  Take the dirt road to the left and then go left to the creekside parking for the trailhead.  Thomas Creek is popular for its aspen trees and year-round creek.  This particular day it was very, very windy everywhere, but we sought shelter in the trees by the creek and we were fine.

Emma and her dog at Thomas Creek

Carol was in a grove of aspens

Carolyn (me) preparing to paint the creek