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.

Cancelled - Sept 30 paint-out

Due to the high winds and chance of showers predicted on Monday, Sept. 30, 2013, the paint-out is cancelled.  (Today is pretty bad too!)

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

September 16, 2013 (Mon.) Fallen Leaf Lake Paint-Out

Fallen Leaf Lake

Date:          September 16, 2013 (Monday)
Time:          9:30 am
Place:          Fallen Leaf Lake, near South Lake Tahoe
Meeting:      We will meet at the beginning of Fallen Leaf Lake Road and follow one of our members
Destination:   We will be going along Fallen Leaf Lake Road about a mile.  On the right hand side will be a meadow.  Half-way through the meadow will be a dirt road (Road 1212).  We will be parking there and walking the short distance to the lake where we will see a view of Mt. Tallac.
Weather:     should be a high of 75 and sunny and clear
Amenities:     Sorry, I don't know.  But there is a campground further up the road.
Dogs:            Moxie the dog will be present

What to bring:

• camera
• painting gear
• drinking water and snacks or lunch
• bug spray might be good idea since we are near water
• remember yellow jackets are still around - bring your antihistimine or shot
• hat, sunglasses, umbrella
• Since there is a dirt road out to the lake, carts will probably work fine
• folding chair if you wish

Directions:  From Reno, take Highway 50 through South Lake Tahoe, turn Right on Highway 89.  Turn Left on Fallen Leaf Lake Road.  Allow an hour to get there....

A MONTH of choking SMOKE!

Everyone is this area is so tired of the smoke from (first) the American Fire - from Foresthill, CA, and (second) from the famous out-of-control Yosemite Fire.  It has kept everyone indoors.  When I go out to visit my horse, I feel it in my lungs and I get a headache.  All I can do is groom him and put him back.

We keep thinking....the end is in sight.....

Well, we are still waiting.  We miss painting outdoors.  I held an impromptu "friendly critique" at my house one day instead of going out to paint.  Present were Carol, Emma, Kathy, Charleen and myself.  We all enjoyed seeing each other's art, and having a place to talk about what we are stuck on..."  It was very good and everyone found that they gained by the experience.  But, we sure miss painting outdoors.....

Here are some pictures of the last paint-out we had -  Spooner Lake on Aug. 20:

Present were Diann, Kathy and myself....and somewhere out there...was newcomer Garrett.

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/