 |
| Taken this year - the trees are all gold! |
Date: October 28, 2013 (Monday)
Time: 9:30 am
Place: Thomas Creek Trailhead located at the end of Timberline Road, Reno, NV.
Meet: The picture taken above is the dirt parking area you will see when you go about 500 yards on the dirt road at the end of Timberline Road. Meet here. If you have never been here, we will show you where you can walk or drive from here. The aspen trees you see here run along both sides of Thomas Creek. There is a wooden bridge in the gap of the trees, and you can drive over it to get to other parking areas.
Amenities: Pit toilet at the farther parking area that is paved where it says "Equestrian Parking" - but you can park there as well.
What to bring:
- camera
- painting gear
- drinking water, lunch or snack
- TP in case pit toilet is out
- carts will work OK here, but the dirt roads are bumpy and/or gravelly
- cell phone - I believe they work here - we are close to a neighborhood
Directions: From Reno, take 395 to Mount Rose Hwy exit. Go up Mount Rose Hwy to Timberline Road. Turn Right. Go to the end. It turns into a well-maintained dirt road that is only about .10 of a mile long. Paved parking lot with pit toilet - continue straight ahead after crossing the bridge. Dirt parking along the creek: turn left after you cross the bridge.
Note: Logan Meadows Road (the center of the fork) is closed from November 1 to May 1.
What you can paint near parking areas: eastern vistas of Truckee Meadows, pine trees, aspen trees, and creek. Thomas Creek Trail also goes east, following the creek near the bridge. There are some nice aspen trees there too. Basically - if you want to paint the view, park at the cement parking lot. If you want to paint forests, creeks, aspens - park in the dirt parking area along the creek. If you love hiking (and lugging your gear), the trails are wonderful - you can hike as far as you want. The trail follows the creek toward Mount Rose....
People who use this trail: hikers, dog-walkers, equestrians, mountain bike riders.
Important: Do not set up easels on the foot trail. This is a well-used trail. Mountain bikes can whiz by without looking up. Horses may be frightened by you and your easel and umbrella. Try to be in an open area off the trail where the horses can see you but not be threatened. I use this trail frequently and have never seen a rattle snake or mountain lion, but the trail signs say they do live there, so I feel obliged to note it here.
 |
| View from cement parking lot |
 |
| The left fork where the dirt parking is along the creek |
 |
| Bridge where the fork is (last year's pix) |
 |
| A meadow between Logan Meadows Road and the creek - farther up - parking for about 3 cars on Logan Meadows Road |
 |
| Creek near the dirt parking area |
