The eastern end of Hope Valley, CA is just starting to show colors. While the color is patchy, there are some pretty spots.
Color is showing up along the meadow across from Desolation Hotel. The trees that are changing here are mostly yellow-gold, but there’s one little patch of red-orange on the top of one grove.
Golden aspens also are decorating each side of the dirt road/trail next to the resort.
The trees lining Highway 88 just past Desolation Hotel are mostly green, with patches of yellow and gold.
When we started Nevada Fall Color, we did not plan to cover Hope Valley, since it is in California, but it’s one of the closest places to see aspen trees put on a show if you’re in Gardnerville, Minden, or Carson City, Nevada. You can also find reports about Hope Valley on California Fall Color.
Hope Valley Fall Color Report as of September 20, 2025
Eastern Side of Hope Valley – Patchy 10%. Expect good color here next weekend and into the first 12 days of October.
When do you expect the aspens will start having the most color this month, October?
@LindaIrwin I’m presuming you mean up in Hope Valley, since your comment was to this post. I would estimate that most of Hope Valley will peak between October 9 – 14. That’s just an estimate. You can monitor the progress of fall color in Hope Valley by signing up for our email newsletter. Also California Fall Color has reports on Hope Valley from time to time.