Carson Valley as a whole is moving to the Fading category, which means you’ll find a mixture of Past Peak as well as some photo-worthy color. One of the places you’ll still find fall color is on the Fay Luther Trail, with most of the color up by Luther Creek.
The cottonwoods, alders, and willows by the creek are in the Near Peak category (60%) as of November 4. I was there around sunset so I missed out on the backlit leaves, but the color still lit up the forest.
The Fay Luther Trail is located in Gardnerville, at the base of the Sierra. It’s just under a mile from the Fay Luther Trailhead to the creek. It’s an easy to moderate walk with gentle uphill. To get to the creek, follow the main trail up to where you can see the trees along the stream bank and take a left.
The first part of the trail is in Nevada, but the creek and the fall color is a stone’s throw into California.
Fay Luther Trail Fall Color Update 2024
Trees on Fay Luther Trail – Near Peak (60%)
Trees along road to Fay Luther Trailhead – At Peak (75%)
