A new sign in Hope Valley

Hello painters,

One of our painters emailed me about a new sign he saw at the Hope Valley/Pickett Junction Restroom Area (junction of 88 and 89).  It says that every person 16 years and older is required to have a Land Use pass, that they should have it in their possession.  The passes can be purchased online (either day or annual) on the California Fish and Wildlife Department website.  The site is vague as to what areas require the pass.

I called Sorenson's Resort to see what they knew about this since they have guests to go for day hikes nearby.  They said that this is related to the fishing and hunting land use passes - which recently was lobbied to include "hikers" (not painters!)  The man I spoke to said at this time the sign wasn't being enforced to his knowledge.  Because the location is near the PCT trail (Pacific Crest Trail), many backpackers hike for weeks or months, and this sign appears to be directed to them. 

So, unless you plan to backpack/paint/hike ....don't worry about the sign and enjoy your painting day!

P.S.  I haven't been to Blue Lakes in a few years.  Be mindful of signs and only park in "day use" areas.  Be sure to see if they charge a day use fee in the designated day use picnic areas.  Also, be mindful that the road from lake to lake has been very rough-going in the past and I doubt it would be much better with the harsh winters they have up there.  If the sign says 4WD you better also have high clearance.

Carolyn

January 2018 Paint-Out Schedule

As always, if weather permits.....

Date:     Monday, January 1, 2018
Time:     11:00
Place:     Washoe Lake Wetlands
 - at the very south end of Washoe Lake
Parking:      Free and plenty of parking

Directions:

From Reno, take I-580 South toward Carson City

Exit 44/Eastlake Boulevard

Left on Eastlake Boulevard

Go about 1.4 miles

As you go around a bend, a parking lot will appear on the left - turn left (it is easy to pass it up by mistake)

Link:  http://renotahoe.about.com/od/NevadaStateParks/ss/Tour-Of-Washoe-Lake-State-Park_7.htm

*



Date:    Tuesday, January 9, 2018
Time:    11:00
Place:     Sand Harbor Boat Launch Parkinglot
Be aware they say the fee is year-round

Directions:  From Reno, take Mt Rose Hwy (431) to Incline

Left on Country Club Drive

Left on Lakeshore Blvd.  Go about 2 miles

Right into Sand Harbor Boat Launch parking lot

*


Date:    Tuesday, January 16
Time:    11:00
Place:    Hope Valley at Pickett Junction
(intersection of 88 and 89 after you pass Sorensens

Note:  No cell service.  Food, drink and bathroom at Sorensens and Hope Valley Cafe
Directions from Reno:  Take 395 (580) South to Minden, turn right on Highway 88, pass Sorensens, turn right at the junction of 89 and park on side.  Approximately 1 hour 15 min. to Pickett's Junction from central Reno.
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Date:    Tuesday, January 23
Time:    11:00
Place:    Silver Saddle Ranch
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 near the hay barn and ranch buildings.

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

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

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

Two Paint-Outs: June 5 and June 12, 2017 (Mondays)

Hi painters,

Carolyn here, and I'm back to help out with organizing paint-outs.  I am going to make it easier and quicker for me, so I am posting two paint-outs at the same time and in simpler format.  Most of you have painted with us and know how to get to these places, so all the descriptions will be simplified.

Monday June 5, 2017 at 9:00am at  Galena Regional Park (south entrance)

Monday, June 12, 2017 at 9:00 am at Hope Valley.  Meet at Hope Valley Campground Cafe.  I will be camping there and will meet you.  If you are late, places to look are across the highway from Sorensen's resort.  There is a creek on that side of the road and pull off parking.  I am planning on painting there.  Some paint at the first bridge on the left-hand side and hike down to the river.  Still some like to drive all the way up to Blue Lakes via Blue Lakes Road.

For further instructions, maps and photos, you can go to the top of the blog to the search box and type in the name of the location (i.e.) Hope Valley or Galena.  This will bring you to an older post about that location when I was spending a lot of time putting all that stuff in (no time for that now!)

January 22, 2015 (Thursday)Hope Valley Paint-Out

WEATHER PERMITTING!

Another paint-out!  Host:  Carol G.

Date:          January 22, 2014 (Thursday)
Time:          10:00 am
Place:          Hope Valley Area
Meeting Place:    Hope Valley Cafe (At Hope Valley Resort & Campground)
Painting Places:   4 to choose from, or go off on your own
Parking:          Variable - see notes on each painting location
Amenities:     Hope Valley Cafe, Sorensen's Resort, bathroom at Pickett Junction (88 at 89)

Last year we did this paint-out and it was fun and about 8 people were there.  If the weather permits, we will meet Carol G at Hope Valley Cafe.  I will not be able to attend due to being on crutches.  I copied last year's map and information of places we discussed painting last year for your reference.

to print:  R click on this map, it brings up blog post, R click again on map, it should blow up map only, Control P and it should just show map as an item to print.  Hope this works for you!

Key:  

*  Meeting place:  Hope Valley Cafe & Market at Hope Valley Resort & Campground

http://hopevalleyresort.com/location.html

A  Additional parking:  There is turn-off area on the left at Pickett Junction.  This is a large dirt staging area at the dirt road called Burnside Lake Road.  There is another off-highway turn-off when you first turn right on Highway 89 - parking headlight to taillight.

#1  Pull-out parking in dirt on the left before you get to Sorensen's.  Room for 3 or 4 small cars.  Short hike to Carson River.  Picture above is similar to this area.  Need hiking boots or boots with traction to walk down slope to River.  Link to Sorensens:  http://www.sorensensresort.com/

#2  Pull out parking in dirt on right just after you pass Sorensens.  Room for maybe 5 cars.  Short hike to Carson River banks.  Again, boots with traction recommended

#3  Restroom and parking lot at Pickett Junction.  Stay on 88 as you pass 89 turn-off at right.  Immediately after that there is a restroom and parking lot for about 6-7 cars.  Respect handicap parking spot please.  From here you can hike into meadow for a view, or, hike along a path to the river.

#4  Overlook Parking Area above Red Lake:  this is a few miles from Pickett Junction (my map is condensed).  Just before you get to Carson Pass, look for a sign saying something about Overlook of Red Lake (I don't remember the signage).  The paved parking area is on your LEFT.  Unless it is still has snow plow berms, this lot can hold a lot of cars - 15 or so.  The view is spectacular.
What to Bring:

• Maps of the area if you have them
• cell phones don't work here but a few random spots
• camera
• painting gear, painting umbrella?
• something to carry your gear
• hiking or snow boots as spares
• drinking water
• appropriate clothing - check forecast - remember we are higher up and it is colder unless there is an inversion
• gloves? hat? sunscreen? sunglasses? ear warmers?
• snacks/lunch/money for cafe or Sorensen's restaurant

Directions from Reno:  Take 395 (580) South to Minden, turn right on Highway 88.  Approximately 1 hour 15 min. to Pickett's Junction from central Reno.

October 20, 2014 (Monday) Paint-Out Luther Pass Ranch/Hope Valley

Carson River near Sorensens

It is possible the aspen leaves have been blown off the trees ... so ... we will meet at Pickett's Junction  at the restroom parking area in Hope Valley and survey our options in that area.  Here is a brief description of the locations to paint in that area:

1. Luther Pass Ranch:  About a mile from Pickett's Junction on Hwy 89 on the right-hand side.  This is an old ranch and the gate is still open.  Sorry, I do not have a photo of this area.

2. The area across Hwy 89 from Luther Pass Ranch is also a possibility.  This is still part of Hope Valley.

3. Carson River access:  There are many places along 88 to pull off and hike to the river for a beautiful view of just the river, aspens, willows, or the river and a view of Hope Valley and surrounding mountain peaks.  See map.  The areas indicated are in red from Sorensens to the beginning Blue Lakes Road.

Date:          October 20, 2014 (Monday)
Time:          9:30 am
Meet:          at the Pickett Junction bathroom parking lot

What to bring:

• camera
• cell phone (however service is next to none)
• art gear
• art umbrella, hat, sunglasses
• food and drink

Services:  Sorensen's gift shop has snacks and maps, the restaurant is also open

Bathrooms:  Pickett's Junction and near the junction of 88 and Blue Lakes Road - on Blue Lakes Road.

Gas Station:  Markleeville

Directions from Reno:  Take 395 (580) South to Minden, turn right on Highway 88.  Approximately 1 hour 15 min. to Pickett's Junction from central Reno.

January was very cooperative! We had some fun paint-outs

Washoe Lake Wildlife Viewing Area

We had quite a few paint-outs so far this winter.  December 9 we had a couple of painters in the Tahoe Meadows on the top of Mt. Rose Highway.  After the holidays, we had a big turn-out on January 2 at the southern tip of Washoe Lake at the Wildlife Viewing Area.  You can see from the photos there was not much snow, it was sunny and mild.

Welcome new painting friends, Karen Mauer and Chris Cheney.  Also present were Carol Grigus, Emma Auriemma, Lonnalee Virgo, Diann Liang and myself.

Other paint-outs were headed by Monika Johnson at Ski Beach on Jan. 6 and Sand Harbor on Jan. 20.  Sorry I don't have pictures from those paint-outs, I was unable to attend.

Today's paint-out was at Hope Valley and was well attended by eleven people.  Welcome new painting friends, Evelyn Yonker, Thaleia Georgiades, Bonita Paulis and Nan Lathrop.  Also present were Monika Johnson, Bill Tyner, Linda Rosenblum, Karen Mauer, Emma Auriemma, Carol Grigus, and myself.  If you were there and I didn't see you, my appologies!  

We all met up at the Cafe and got our maps and buddied-up and disbursed out into the field to paint.  Because we were so spread out I don't have any pictures of this paint-out.  It started out cold, but at times the sun came out and got warmer.  Then it got colder around 2:00 but most people were finished by then.  

Although we need the snow and rain, this winter so far has been generous to painters out in the field.  It has been pretty mild for this time of year and the lack of snow on the ground in Hope Valley made the parking and access much easier.

January 27, 2014 (Monday) Hope Valley Paint-Out

Carson River near Sorensens in the Fall

Date:          January 27, 2014 (Monday)
Time:          11:00 am
Place:          Hope Valley Area
Meeting Place:    Hope Valley Cafe (At Hope Valley Resort & Campground)
Painting Places:   4 to choose from, or go off on your own
Parking:          Variable - see notes on each painting location
Amenities:     Hope Valley Cafe, Sorensen's Resort, bathroom at Pickett Junction (88 at 89)

We are doing this paint-out a little bit different.  We are meeting at Hope Valley Cafe parking lot where I will hand out maps (if you don't print out the one I have here).  This is the time to choose where you want to go and with whom - buddy up - if you have not already discussed this with your buddy yourself.  We are doing it this way because there might be a large number of people and many of the painting spots have limited parking areas.  Below is the map and following is a description of that spot:

to print:  R click on this map, it brings up blog post, R click again on map, it should blow up map only, Control P and it should just show map as an item to print.  Hope this works for you!

Key:  

*  Meeting place:  Hope Valley Cafe & Market at Hope Valley Resort & Campground

http://hopevalleyresort.com/location.html

A  Additional parking:  There is turn-off area on the left at Pickett Junction.  This is a large dirt staging area at the dirt road called Burnside Lake Road.  There is another off-highway turn-off when you first turn right on Highway 89 - parking headlight to taillight.

#1  Pull-out parking in dirt on the left before you get to Sorensen's.  Room for 3 or 4 small cars.  Short hike to Carson River.  Picture above is similar to this area.  Need hiking boots or boots with traction to walk down slope to River.  Link to Sorensens:  http://www.sorensensresort.com/

#2  Pull out parking in dirt on right just after you pass Sorensens.  Room for maybe 5 cars.  Short hike to Carson River banks.  Again, boots with traction recommended

#3  Restroom and parking lot at Pickett Junction.  Stay on 88 as you pass 89 turn-off at right.  Immediately after that there is a restroom and parking lot for about 6-7 cars.  Respect handicap parking spot please.  From here you can hike into meadow for a view, or, hike along a path to the river.

#4  Overlook Parking Area above Red Lake:  this is a few miles from Pickett Junction (my map is condensed).  Just before you get to Carson Pass, look for a sign saying something about Overlook of Red Lake (I don't remember the signage).  The paved parking area is on your LEFT.  Unless it is still has snow plow berms, this lot can hold a lot of cars - 15 or so.  The view is spectacular.

If you want us to look for you, please email Carolyn to let us know you are coming - at least a day in advance notice. 

email at:  carolynjean@carolynjeanthompson.com.

What you will see at this time of year:
Our scout, Carol Grigus, informs us that the Carson River in Hope Valley looks good and is still flowing, but barely.  There are some frozen parts along the edges - very pretty.
The hike to the river from #3 is gorgeous, but it is a bit of a hike for some folks.  The bathroom at #3 is open and clean.
The vista view above Red Lake is gorgeous, and some might even venture to Carson Pass itself as well.

Overlook of Red Lake in summer

What to Bring:

• Maps of the area if you have them
• cell phones don't work here but a few random spots
• camera
• painting gear, painting umbrella?
• something to carry your gear
• hiking or snow boots as spares
• drinking water
• appropriate clothing - check forecast - remember we are higher up and it is colder unless there is an inversion
• gloves? hat? sunscreen? sunglasses? ear warmers?
• snacks/lunch/money for cafe or Sorensen's restaurant

Carson Pass in summer

August 5, 2013 (Monday) Hope Valley Paint-Out

Date:                    August 5, 2013 (Monday)
Time:                    10:00 am - meet at Sorensen's
Painting Place:       Hope Valley, CA - along Hwy 88/89
Amenities:             There is a restroom in the vicinity.  I don't remember any drinking water.  There is no gas stations up there, and no cell service....just....beauty!
                           
Travel time:           One hour, 15 min. from Reno
Meeting Place:      Sorensen's Resort on Hwy 88/89
Map and Link:      http://www.sorensensresort.com/map.html
Directions:           From Reno, take 580 south, through Carson City and on towards Minden.  Just before you get into town of Minden, turn Right on Hwy 88.  Continue to Woodfords, and then stay straight and continue up the hill about 10 minutes.  Sorensen's Resort and Cabins will be on your left.  The restaurant is right there and gravel parking.

Have a cup of coffee if you arrive early at the Sorensen Cafe.  Check out their gift shop and selection of maps.  Look for my car, a red Subaru Outback, in the parking lot.  We can discuss where we want to paint.  From there, we will drive further up the road.  First shoulder on the right is where you can park and walk down to the beautiful creek among aspen trees as shown above.

If you want open vistas, we will continue further a little ways.  At the junction where 89 goes off to the right, there is a public restroom on the corner.  Parking is limited, but there is also the shoulder of the road at the beginning of the fork on 89.  The picture above is taken from this area looking west.

If you want the view from the very top picture of the river, I can show you where you park on the shoulder and that view is right there - you can paint from the side of the road or walk down a little slope to get to the spot where I took the photo.  Locals call this area "at the bridge".

Of course, if you know the area, you can paint anywhere you want.  As you folks would know - the entire region is gorgeous and there is lots to choose from.  This paint-out is geared for the first-timers - Kathy and Charleen and anyone else.

What to bring:

• plenty of gas 
• camera
• painting gear
• drinking water
• bug spray
• hat/sunscreen/sunglasses
• jacket if cool
• Hiking shoes or good tennis shoes with tread advised
• Carts may not work in many places.  Backpack or shoulder bags probably better.
• You can paint from where your car is, but the traffic noise can be bothersome
• lunch or money to buy lunch at Sorensens
• cell phone, however, it won't work up there....

Paint-Out to Hope Valley, and WHY I wasn't there!

Michael and Emma

While I was on a trip to Newport Beach, California for a week's vacation, Carol, Michael and Emma went to Hope Valley, California to paint!  I am so envious - I love that area.  But, there will be other times...

Michael

Carol's painting in progress