Silhouette of a couple canoeing on Blue Lake, Tahoe National Forest, California
There are several Blue Lakes in California. But, the one in the photo above has been a favorite of ours for many years. In fact, we have kept it a “secret” up until now. I won’t tell exactly how to get there, other than it’s the Blue Lake near Lake Spaulding, in the Tahoe National Forest.
Sunrise over Utica Reservoir, Alpine County, California
The Blue Thunder story continues…
It’s been 25 years since this photo was taken on our off-road adventure trip to Utica Reservoir. But, I remember it as if it was yesterday.
Heading towards Utica Reservoir, Alpine County, California
Here is another shot of our Toyota Landcruiser FJ-40, Blue Thunder, doing what it does best – tackling hard to get to places!
As I mentioned in my last post, we will be selling Blue Thunder soon. Before we do, I wanted to post a few photos of our favorite off-road adventures we have enjoyed in it.
To get this shot, I stood up in the back and clinched on to the roll bar with one white knuckled hand, while shooting with the other. What I love about this photo is that it gives the viewer, YOU, the feeling that you are actually there.
More photos of Blue Thunder and some of our favorite locations such as Utica Reservoir, Blue Lake, Gold Lake and maybe even the famous Rubion Trail to come!
Off-road adventure into Utica Reservoir, Alpine County, California
Blue Thunder has been a part of our family for 25 years. But, unfortunately, the time has come that we will be finding it a new home soon.
Photo – View of the soaking pools on Buckeye Creek
Here is another shot of Buckeye Hot Spring. This photo shows what the soaking pools actually look like. Posting this makes me want to jump in the car and go there right now!
This wraps up my photo essay on our fall colors trip last October.
Buckeye Hot Spring, near Bridgeport, California.
This is one of our favorite hot springs in California and a soak here is free! It is located on the creek, clothing is optional and you can often have it all to yourself. Plus, it is a short drive or walk from Buckeye Campground.
The small pool in the foreground is a hot water source. This pool is scalding hot and is not for soaking in. The water flows down the hill from this pool and eventually drops into Buckeye Creek. There it mixes with the creek water and cools down to temperatures suitable for soaking.
Woman enjoying Buckeye Hot Spring, Eastern Sierra, California. Put this on your “Bucket List!”
If you are going, make sure you take everything you will need with you (towel, snacks, water etc.) and wear good footwear. The walk down to the creek is very steep and slippery in spots and you won’t want to make the trek too many times. If soaking at night, be sure to pack a flashlight also.
Every time we travel scenic highway 395, we make it a priority to visit Buckeye Hot Spring!
Directions – To get to Buckeye from the northern end of Bridgeport, turn off of Route 395, turn west on Twin Lakes Road and travel seven miles. Turn right just past Doc and Al’s Resort, then cross the bridge going over the creek. Continue uphill along a gravel road, past Buckeye Campground. At the top of the hill you’ll find a parking area. The springs are down the trail from the parking lot. Closed in the winter.
Our camp at Buckeye Campground.
We made base camp at beautiful Buckeye Campground, located along Buckeye Creek in the Toiyabe National Forest. That put us in close proximity to the things we wanted to do and places we wanted to explore.
This turned out to be another one of our favorite camping spots. The camp sites were huge and only a couple of them were occupied when we were there. The fall color was intense, as you can see in this photo. And there were several great hiking trails nearby to choose from. NOTE: There is a fee to camp at Buckeye. There are also free campsites nearby.
Photo – Bodie State Historical Park, as seen from the Bodie Ghost Town TrailÂ
From the Masonic Trail, we intersected Aurora Canyon Road (also known as the Bodie Ghost Town Trail) and dropped down into Bodie. Â
Bodie, California is located in the eastern slopes of the Sierra, close to the Nevada border and is known as the best preserved ghost town in California. It was once a gold-mining town with 10000 residents way back in 1879.
We will be adding this photo of Bodie, as well as photos taken in the park from our previous trip, to our stock photo galleries soon.
Photo – Chemung Mine along the Masonic Trail, with the Sierra Mountains in the background
This is one of several old mines along the back road to Bodie. There will be more photos from this fall colors trip to come soon!
