Recent Painting Locations

Here are some pictures from recent paint-outs. Some were unlisted because of the hiking involved.

1/3 mile hike uphill to Eagle Falls (Lake Tahoe) Vista Point

Last minute trip to Lily Pond near Blue Lakes and Tamarack Junction

Silver Saddle Ranch

Silver Saddle Ranch

View from Silver Saddle Ranch

Silver Saddle Ranch

Silver Saddle Ranch

Trail Head from Hwy 28 near Thunderbird Lodge

The hike down to the no-name beach cove

The no-name beach cove looking south

Looking north towards Thunderbird Lodge

Rancho San Rafael

Rancho San Rafael

5 Lakes Hike - a long hike all uphill!

The first of 5 Lakes

Worth the hike

Fireweed at 5 Lakes

August 20, 2013 (Tuesday) Spooner Lake Paint-Out

Date:         August 20, 2013
Time:         9: 15 or 9:30 am
Place:         Spooner Lake State Park
Parking:      Entry fee is $10.00 per car, $2 per bicycle in, $1 walk-in
Meeting Place:     If you drive in, turn right to park in the area where bicycles can be rented.  There is a paved path with "Interpretive Trail" sign.  I will park near that trailhead.

Amenities:     Bathrooms, drinking fountains, Bicycle repair shop, maps at the ranger entrance, trails in all directions - around Spooner Lake, and in the other direction to Marlette Lake (a very long hike) and also bike trails to Flume Trails.  Dogs permitted on leash only.

Painting Places:      We will be walking down to the interpretive area and pass the picnic benches in a cement patio.  We will continue on a dirt trail that is called the Spooner Lake loop.  It is a gentle and mostly level path through the shady aspen and fir trees that heads south or southeast.  Carts can be used.  You can stop anywhere you wish to paint, but step off the trail so hikers and dogwalkers (all on leash) can pass.

Colors:  These pictures were taken on 8-13-13.  The grasses and reeds are orange, gold and rust.  The meadow flowers have faded.  Some willows are beginning to turn.  Aspen trees still a rich green, evergreens are dark.  Lots of variety in color right now.

What to bring:

• $10 if you don't have an annual Nevada State Parks pass (about $100 per year and good at Sand Harbor, Spooner Lake, Washoe Lake, and all other Nevada State Parks)
• painting gear
• camera
• cart, shoulder bag, or backpack to walk as far as you want
• walking shoes
• cell phone service is spotty
• drinking water and snacks or lunch
• hat, sunscreen, bug spray (just in case), umbrella if you choose to sit in a sunny spot

Directions:  From Reno:

580 South to Carson City, take the last exit (Fairview) and turn Right

Turn Left at old 395

Turn Right at Hwy 50 to South Lake Tahoe

At the summit, turn Right on Hwy 28

About 500 yards the entrance to the park will be on your Right

Travel Time:  45 minutes from Southern Reno

Links:
http://parks.nv.gov/parks/marlette-hobart-backcountry/

August 13, 2013 (Tuesday) Paint-Out at Silver Saddle Ranch

Date:          August 13, 2013 (Tuesday)
Time:          9:30 am
Place:          Silver Saddle Ranch, Carson City, NV
Parking:       Parking area .6 miles down their gravel ranch road see above
Amenities:    bathroom, hiking trails, bird watching, picnic area, working cattle ranch, barns and caretaker house, hiking and horseriding trails
Meeting Place:   the parking area.  Painting areas in walking distance.
Dogs:             I do not know what dog requirements they have - please leave at home.
Children:        I do not know what their requirements are - but they probably want them supervised because of barbed wire and dangerous ranch equipment.  If you are going to paint, please leave them with a sitter.

Directions:     From Reno, take 580 south
                     Take exit 38 for Fairview Drive, keep in left lane
                     Turn Left at the light onto Fairview Drive
                     At the round-about, take 1st exit onto East 5th Street
                     Turn Right on Carson River Road
                     Follow Carson River Road for 1.4 miles to the entrance at a bend in the road.
                     Picture above shows their sign on Carson River Road
                     Follow their gravel ranch road .6 miles to the parking area

Links, pictures and trail maps:  
Friends of Silver Saddle Ranch  http://fossr.org/

Silver Saddle Ranch  http://www.silversaddleranch.info/ssr-carson-about.htm

 BLM about SSR  http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/carson_city_field/blm_programs/recreation/silver_saddle.html

What to bring:

• camera
• painting gear
• carts will work here - level ground
• drinking water
• donation money? (if they have a donation box)
• hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, umbrella
• lunch or snacks
• folding chair if you wish
• bug spray (where there are cattle....there are flies)
• Antihistimine if you are sensitive to bee stings (this is bee and wasp season!)

What you can paint:

• cattle (at least I think they are there year-round!  They were there when I visited in winter)
• ranch and pasture vistas
• some sagebrush and cottonwood trees
• nearby Carson River if you choose to drive down the road
• Ranch buildings