Aspens are coming in full golden glory; ski resorts starting up the lifts

Heading for Horsetail Falls the other day I noticed the splashes of yellow around Spooner Lake and decided the hike there might be more rewarding at this time of year. After all, the aspens turn yellow only for a couple of weeks these days. So I parked at the junction of 50 West and Highway 28; that way you don't have to actually go into Spooner Park (but you still should drop off $1 at the trail head).

The aspens were quaking nicely in full yellows. There was snow on the ground on the eastern side of the lake, not a lot but enough to show that autumn was really here. Aspens grow in clumps, all clones of the mother tree, so a grove can be all connected. There are at least four clumps of aspens on the east and south sides of the lake; to the west and north are yellow bushes lining the lakeside.

The trail around the lake is 2.1 miles of gentle undulation, nothing demanding. Lots of hikers tread this trail. On the day I was there at least a dozen hikers were tromping away. The lake was dotted with black birds, coots, someone said, although not being a bird watcher I couldn't tell.

Despite the signs saying no bikes, there were tire tracks on the trail. And signs of horse traffic, although horses are supposed to stick to the north side of the lake.

The groves on the west and north side of the lake were still green, so the golden show should last for a couple more weeks. Right now the aspens stand out like blotches of yellow amid the green pine forest.

You can take a break from Spooner trail at one point and get on the Tahoe Rim Trail heading for Marlette Lake; I've yet to do it so don't know much about it. Maybe next time. At the park there are a couple of trails heading up into the mountains but I haven't done those for a couple of years so don't know what kind of shape they are in. The Spooner trail is in excellent condition.

This is a nice family hike with lots of places to stop and sit and enjoy the magnificent views, the birds and the dwindling lake, although the weather this week may help boost its size.

Mammoth Mountain

Mammoth Mountain will join Boreal resort in opening early Friday, Oct. 16 and celebrate one of Mammoth's earliest openings ever.

The lifts have only started turning earlier once in the resort's history, in 1994. To commemorate this historic special event, lift tickets will be free opening day. Just pop over to the ticket counter to get yours.

Opening day schedule begins at 7 a.m. with complimentary hot chocolate and pastries at Broadway Express (AKA, Chair 1) while supplies last. Other specials go on all weekend.

The Yodler and Ski School is closed until further notice and there is no bus service planned at this time.

The new Village Ski Back Trail was completed this summer. It starts at the main lodge area and winds up someplace down the hill in the village. The trail has long been planned and it should offer a new dimension to end-of-the-day runs.

And there's now a major increase of air service options to Mammoth. Due to the success of flights to Mammoth from LAX last season via Horizon Air, that airline will offer additional flights from Los Angeles, Reno, San Jose, Portland and Seattle.

Heavenly Job Fair

In case you missed the ads in the Nevada Appeal, Heavenly will be staging its annual job fair 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday Oct. 24 and 4:30-7 p.m. Tuesday Oct. 27. Details are at (530) 542-5180. You might want to look at the Heavenly Web site first since jobs are posted there and you can save a lot of time by applying at www.skiheavenly.com.

Meanwhile, Horsetail Falls still awaits

If I don't bag it this weekend it may be too late, depending on the snow levels we get. But at least the falls should be a little healthier with the rain we've been getting. Next week, we'll do the Horsetail for sure.

• Contact Sam at 841-7818 or sambauman@att.net.