Fall Picnic at Page Meadows
Maris and Oliver leading the charge toward Page Meadows
Visiting Page Meadows to see the aspens ablaze in fall colors was on my family’s autumn bucket list. On a recent Saturday, we packed cheese sandwiches and fresh-picked apples and set off to find fall. We started at the ski lot above the Talmont neighborhood, dropping down the trail with just a few dog walkers and mountain bikers for company. Oliver and Maris led the charge. At first, we went a little too far, heading down-slope into a valley with views of the backside of Squaw. That part of the trail is evergreen, so we felt a little cheated. Until we finally found our way. When we arrived at the first meadow, it was full of color—-orange, yellow and even a twinge of red here and there. Maris balanced on the footbridges precariously placed over trickling streams. Oliver flushed birds out of bushes. I took pictures in the waning, late afternoon light.
GETTING THERE: From Happy Cabin, drive south on Highway 89 to Pine Street, two miles south of Tahoe City. Go right on Pine Street until you get to Tahoe Park Heights. Head right on Tahoe Park Heights up the hill. Take a right at Big Pine, and then a left onto Silvertip. Park at the trailhead at the end of the road (marked “Ski Parking”). You’ll find the first meadow about a half-mile walk in. From the big trail, take the first small trail that off-shoots to the right. (If you start heading down hill toward the back side of Squaw Valley, you’ve gone too far.)
To visit Happy Cabin during your trip to North Lake Tahoe / Tahoe Vista / Kings Beach, click here.
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