It’s not a weather report we are looking for, or a traffic report but a foliage report!  No need to travel cross-country for leaf peeping, as it happens here in Northern California too, try Plumas County.  October through to early November is the best time to view this glorious seasonal display that nature puts on for us.  There is no better time to take your family on a quest for nature, the great outdoors, and beauty rolled into one glorious display.  A great leaf peeping season was upon us with crisp and cool temperatures after summer’s highs, clear blue skies, bright yellow cottonwoods, rich red dogwoods, and the quivering leaves of the quaking aspen.

My family and I traveled to Graeagle in Plumas County for a short vacation during school’s October break.  We were looking for a location with few distractions, which is quiet and beautiful, where our family could be together for outdoor activities without the distractions of our computer-led lives.  And for this, Graeagle is the right spot.  Visual splendor and tranquility are spun together from pine-covered mountains, the restful Feather River with its resident fly fisherman, cattle grazing on the plains and the colorful, wildflower meadows.  This setting could be taken from a Wild West movie apart from the juxtaposition of vibrant green, manicured golf courses that are so plentiful in this area.

Graeagle pronounced “Gree-gle”, by locals, is a small rural town located on Highway 89 about an hour’s drive to the north of Truckee.  It’s the kind of place you might miss as you change the music on the car stereo, as we did.  However, by turning the car around and staying a while, you will be made welcome by the local community and discover life at a slower, less hectic pace.  Lining Hwy 89 are Graeagle’s familiar small, red chalets that house local businesses varying from local crafts, household items, coffee shop with bakery or the resident lawyers office.  The local people are extremely friendly and welcoming so you feel less like an outsider, as we found while stopping for freshly brewed coffee and warm, chocolate cake served with whipped cream.

Staying at the Lodge at Whitehawk was a great choice for our family, as not only did we have the tranquility and peace of our cabin but the convenience of the Lodge itself.  Whitehawk has 14 rustic cabins, either 1 or 2 bed; each is uniquely decorated with cabin antiques and eclectic furniture pieces including all the comforts of home.  Each cabin is privately situated in the pine forest, with covered decks and Adirondack chairs were one can relax and take in the restful surroundings.  Just a short walk will take you to the Lodge with its impressive great room and very cozy fireplace where guests are offered afternoon cheese, crackers, and Californian wine.  The outlook of the Lodge is shared between the Whitehawk Ranch golf course, open meadow, and farmland with its resident cows.  For those wishing to stay at this very convenient location to golf, “Stay and Play” packages can be arranged.

Family-friendly facilities at Whitehawk are plentiful.  We were able to introduce the children to playing bocce.  Also some hiking and cycling around the mountain bike trail that leads off through the meadow and around the golf course.  However, unfortunately we were not able use the outdoor, heated pool and Jacuzzi as October was just too late in the season.  On site is also a small fishing pond, that is stocked with catch and release trout, that my husband and kids got a kick out of trying to lure the biggest fish.  In addition, two tennis courts are available, so don’t forget to bring the rackets. 

Venturing further a field, just a few miles from Graeagle are many wonderful and varied activities for the whole family.  The Plumas Eureka State park offers visitors hiking, picnicking, fishing, and nature study.  At the center of the park is the museum building and historic mining area that depicts life during the gold-rush era.  In nearby Portola railroad buffs will be intrigued by this former railroad facility that now opens its tracks and locomotives to the public.  Operated by volunteers, visitors are able to climb aboard engines to relive history and take rides through the Feather Valley.  For scenic, alpine beauty, take a short drive to the Lake Basin Recreation Area with more than twenty wondrous lakes for boating, swimming, and fishing opportunities.

The leaf peeking reports were good so on our second day in Graeagle we took Hwy. 89 and continued on to Quincy.  As we had read, it really was an “Awesome Autumn” every way we turned the fall colors were abundant.  It might have been the brilliant yellow of the cottonwoods, or maybe the strikingly, vibrant reds of the dogwoods that were our favorites, but memories of this fall day will stay with us for a long time.  Stopping by the Feather River was a nice break as we could stretch our legs and catch some of this stunning foliage with our camera.  Quincy was a welcome place to stop for lunch, wander its simple High Street, and enjoy the small, local museum that held many historic and local relics.

For dinner that night, we took a leisurely walk from our cabin to the Lodge where we feasted on many delicious and gourmet treats.  Even our children enjoyed the tasty deep fried ravioli we were given as a taster course.  After a day of foliage, feasting, and fresh air, we were glad we had chosen Graeagle as our base to explore Plumas County.

Lodge at Whitehawk
985 Whitehawk Drive
Clio, CA 96106
877 945-6343
http://www.lodgeatwhitehawk.com 

Foliage reports
http://www.plumascounty.org