Color spotter Michelle Pontoni is always in search of late season color.
“The Van Sickle Bi-State Park Trail starts 100 yards from the California/Nevada border just off Highway 50 in South Lake Tahoe,” she reported this week.
“On Sunday 11/2/25 we hiked up the waterfall trail and found peak yellows and even some fiery oranges glowing in the late afternoon sun, contrasting the fall color with forest pines, firs, and the deep blue sky.”
She added that there were pockets of color wherever there was a creek, all the way up to the waterfall area and beyond into the 2002 Gondola Fire burn scar.
“Many of the past peak leaves have hung on, creating a softness to the palette,” she said. “As you head up the moderately steep hill, be sure to turn around to see Lake Tahoe. The view of the lake is always stunning, but especially with a little color in the foreground.”
Moderate rain arrived on Wednesday, so this may have been the last of the show up the trail.
Van Sickle Bi-State Park – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
