October 14, 2013 (Monday) Paint-Out at Sky Tavern

Date:          October 14, 2013 (Monday)
Time:          9:30 am
Place:          Sky Tavern on Mount Rose Hwy 431
Meeting Place:   Mountain Top Sports Rentals at Bum's Gulch Road.  From there we can drive around into the Sky Tavern Ski Area which is obviously closed!  There is plenty of parking in there and since some workers are doing maintenance, the bathrooms may be open (?) and drinking fountains (?)

Sorry the picture above was taken at 3:30 pm yesterday and the sun was in my eyes so the picture is not showing the true colors.  But as you can see there are willows and creek-run-off areas, Aspen trees in yellow and evergreen hills.

I'm also sorry this is such late notice - I just got back from a vacation.

What to bring:

• camera
• painting gear
• drinking water
• lunch or snacks
• carts will work in a lot of the areas
• cell phone - not sure they will work well here - maybe
• jacket or windbreaker

*In case there is wind we will continue back down toward Reno and go to Thomas Creek (off of Timberline Road)

Directions:  From Reno - take Mount Rose Hwy 431 about 12 miles up the hill from the intersection of I-580.  Just past the old Tanenbaum area you will see a snow removal shed on the left and then a blue sign for Sky Tavern where the gate is closed.  Just past that on the right is the Mountain Top Sports Rentals in above picture and turn right there.  That little road is called Bum's Gulch Road.  We will meet in this wide paved area.

September 30, 2013 (Monday) The Shack on 267 above Northstar - Paint-Out

Date:          September 30, 2013 (Monday)
Time:          9:30 am
Place:          The shack on 267 above Northstar Ski Area
Parking:       Large dirt area right off 267 at the clearing where a grassy area and aspen grove are.  The shack is set back and you may or may not see it from the road
Amenities:     None.  You are about 5 min. drive to Northstar at Tahoe, where there are shops, restaurants, bathrooms in the Village area off of Northstar Drive.  Or, you are about 10 min. drive from Kings Beach.

What to bring:

• camera
• painting gear
• drinking water and snack or lunch
• sunscreen, bug spray, umbrella, hat
• weight for your tripod or easel (bag of rocks or some sort of weight)
• cell phone (might work here - not sure)
• good walking shoes or hiking boots
• carts may work here, it is fairly level and you don't need to walk far into the meadow unless you want to
• Check the weather for appropriate clothing.  The forecast looked favorable, but always check the day before.

What you will see to paint:

• evergreens behind the aspens make a good background
• grassy field
• aspen trees (these photos were taken a previous year) can be green, yellow or orange
• downed logs
• willow bushes by the creek
• old shack

Hazards:  well, while walking through the field, be aware that yellow jackets typically nest in a pile of dead wood...also, be aware of rattle snakes - I've never seen any up here..... but always be aware in any field of grass.  This is not a good place to take dogs because it is so close to the highway.  It also can be noisy with traffic going by if you are set up near your car.  It is quieter if you go back into the field somewhere.

Directions:

Allow about an hour

From north Reno:

Take I-80 west

After you pass through the bug station outside of Truckee,

Take 267 towards Lake Tahoe

Go pass the Northstar turn-off and then pass the 2nd Northstar turn-off that goes to the Ritz Carlton Hotel

Go approximately a mile or more? and look for an open meadow on the right and a big dirt parking area

This is BEFORE you get to Brockway Summit

From South Reno

Take the Mt Rose Hwy to Incline

Turn Right on Lakeshore Drive (28)

At Kings Beach, turn Right on 267

Go up to the summit (Brockway Summit) and continue down the hill about a half mile (?)  

Look for the meadow on the LEFT