Sat Oct 10/24: Hunter Lake Trail. Meet at the Chevron at Boomtown (I-80 exit 4) at 9:30 am.
Sun Oct 10/25: Peavine Mountain, west side. Meet at the Chevron at Boomtown (I-80 exit 4) at 9:30 am.
Hoping for fall colors.
Both these trails are stock *doable*. I have successfully spotted a completely stock Toyota Tundra through both trails with no damage. Having said that, there are rocks on both trails and even with a spotter there is potential for your rig to receive bumps and bruises. Requirements are 4WD, at least one recovery point, and no step rails/nerf bars. Mud flap removal recommended.
I don't think that I can do either weekend, already planned with other activities/chores.
I'd be up for Nov 14/15, though the aspens are definitely bald by then? I should then have a 2"-lifted truck, in addition to possibly some armor installed.
A few people at the recent Hollister meet expressed interest in doing a Reno area run, so I'd like to see if I can get something going.
My own selfish desire is to plan this around the aspens in the higher elevations changing color. October is typically a good month, but with the weird weather we have had I'm not sure what they are looking like right now.
The two weekends I'm looking at are Oct 24/25 and Nov 7/8. Oct 24 is less than two weeks away, but I'm afraid November might be too late in the season for fall colors. I am planning on doing a scouting trip this coming weekend to see how the aspens are doing. My choice of weekend may end up changing based on their condition.
The trails I have in mind are HLT and the Squeeze Rock trail up to the top of Peavine Mountain. Both trails are stock *doable*. I have successfully spotted a completely stock Toyota Tundra through both trails with no damage. Having said that, there are rocks on both trails and even with a spotter there is potential for your rig to receive bumps and bruises. Requirements would be 4WD, at least one recovery point, and no step rails/nerf bars. Mud flap removal recommended.
What do you guys think? Is this something you are interested in having me put together?
This will likely be the weekend of 10/24 but I will know more this evening and hope to make a decision then.
I'll try to get another run going later in the year since I know some of you will have to miss out on this one, but it won't be high elevation trails like these.
At their peak, they obviously have a little more color than this ...but golden aspens and blooming rabbitbrush is about the extent of our "fall colors." I'm sure Tennessee is gorgeous in the fall.
What part of Peavine were they on? I was on the Verdi side. At around 5000 ft in elevation, there were young trees that were still yellowish-green. This pic was taken at 6000 ft. The younger trees nearby still had some orange leaves, but they were already losing them. I was surprised at the difference 1000 ft made. At higher elevations I would expect even fewer leaves.
The trees in this pic are about the same size and around the same elevation as the ones at Squeeze Rock. I wish I'd had time to check out that side of the mountain...maybe the situation is less bleak?
Anyone know how quickly aspens go from yellow-green to bald? It's not something a desert dweller gets to witness much...
Lol! Just go anyway, those two trails that you're planning on sound like fun; the elevation-gain alone is interesting. How long will it take from bottom to top?
Sorry I am going to miss this. Same weekend as my annual fall wheelin trip. The aspens are still gold at my house. Whould think at lower elevations they would hold their leaves a little longer. I am sure you will find some colors out there.
Jen, this sounds like a lot of fun but I'm unfortunately going to be busy with work related things for the next few weekends. thanks for putting it together. Stay safe out there!