What did you do last Friday to kick off the weekend? Color spotter and photograph Phil Reedy and his buddy drove 500 miles to see fall colors.
“To paraphrase that classic song by the The Proclaimers,” Reedy said, “But I would drive 500 miles and I would drive 500 more.”
His trip to Mt. Shasta on Friday, Nov. 8 was, indeed, 500 miles long and very beautiful, which obviously makes it our drive of the week. Joined by his friend, John, Reedy left Davis at 6 am and got back at 8 pm, “with many stops along the way for photos of the fall colors in the Mt. Shasta area.”
The duo hit all the top stops, first at Simms Flat along the Upper Sacramento River, where the colors are near peak, but should be nice for another week.
Next up was the Castella exit, which provides a nice view of Castle Crags. Colors there are definitely at peak right now, according to Reedy.
Having a little time to kill before meeting their third photographer Scott, Phil and John decided to check out the Railroad Park Resort in Dunsmuir.
“It’s really unique as the rooms are all in old refurbished cabooses and they even have a restaurant in a dining car,” Reedy said. “On top of that, there are great views of Castle Crags and fall colors.”
Next up was the always gorgeous hike along the railroad tracks to Mossbrae Falls, where the colors are at peak as well. After lunch at the Burger Barn in Dunsmuir and checking out the great colors in town, the now-trio hiked up to Faery Falls, a beautiful 50-foot high cascade near the town of Mt. Shasta.
“The entire area is just covered in Big Leaf Maple leaves,” Reedy said. “There are still some on the trees as well, but this area is definitely past peak. By then the sun was setting, so we hit the road for the long drive home.”
Simms Flat (1,600′) – Near Peak (50-75%) Go Now.
Castella (2,097′) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
Mossbrae Falls (2,529′) – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
Faery Falls (3,300′) – Past Peak. You Missed It.
