About an hour from home and 3,000 feet higher, is Tarryall Road which takes us to Tarryall Reservoir. I’ve wanted to travel this quiet back road for some time, but what better time than when autumn color is at peak! This is a new trip for us both. Let’s go.
There is a lovely waterfall next to the reservoir’s dam, but there is one problem. The parking area where you can see the entire falls is closed. Repairs to the dam must be made before winter and the parking lot is filled with needed equipment and tools. Well, we’ll make do with a view from the road. Sounds like a return trip one day for a better shot.
The Rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus nauseosus) is in full bloom all along the road here and nearly four foot tall. I guess our long summer this year with 80+ degree weather into October is giving it extended life.
Tarryall Reservoir is a State Wildlife Area (SWA) protecting 711 acres including the 175-acre reservoir and nearby creeks. We are enjoying one of the picnic areas on this quiet fall morning.
The mountains to the east are showing fall’s splendor.
It is beautiful down near lake’s edge–up close and personal with lovely autumn aspens.
Heading back to US-24, we have 25 miles of quiet beauty. Tarryall Creek will keep up company the entire way.
The narrow valley along the creek is farmland, primarily for hay. These are cattle farms with the cattle grazing the mountainsides all summer. The hay will keep those cattle not sent to market healthy all winter.
The creek meanders down the east side of the road.
The color is glorious on the west side of the road.
This is the only footbridge we’ve seen across Tarryall Creek. Right now we are standing in Pike National Forest, but once you start up the trail you are also in Lost Creek Wilderness. In the mountains Lost Creek disappears for long periods of time under rock, reappearing later down hill. It does its disappearing act about four times down the mountain. The flows have created canyons and the subterranean flows have created caves. Congress established this wilderness in 1980 and a portion of the wilderness was designated a National Natural Landmark.
The trail is Ute Creek Trail. Once it enters the forest it goes seriously UP. The hike is rated difficult, is four miles long, and takes you up over 2,400 ft. Backcountry and steep hikes are not possibilities for me, but this place is unique and very special for those able to explore such terrain. Well, no sense in pouting, let’s see the creek views from the bridge. Have to at least walk the bridge!
Looking upstream . . .
Looking downstream, with sun in our face.
More farms and roads into hidden valleys beyond.
There are whole patches of leafless aspens on the mountain. Aspens grow in clusters or “clones”, it is why we see large groups basically all the same color and size. They are unique due to their root system. Dig in a bit deeper here.
What a beautiful day and a beautiful drive! I hope you’ve seen lovely fall colors near you. Would love to hear if you have and see a few pics too.
Happy Autumn friend!
