This unassuming row of small aspens is in the high desert along the eastern slopes of the Sierra Nevada. In this terrain, it is common to find small groves of aspen trees in sagebrush country, often along a stream course or other source of water. Because I first encountered aspens many years ago on high country backpacking trips, I used to think the three were trees of the subalpine zone, but they are actually quite common in other places in the Sierra.
These trees illustrate another important point about Sierra Nevada Fall color — and fall color just about anywhere for that matter. Certain specific spots get designated as “the best,” the places you really must see. It is true that at least some of them to have special features and characteristics, but eventually I learned that there are beautiful little groves all over the Sierra, often in places where you might not think to look for them.
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G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist. His book, “California’s Fall Color: A Photographer’s Guide to Autumn in the Sierra” (Heyday Books) is available directly from him. Blog | Bluesky | Mastodon | Substack Notes | Flickr | Email
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