Debbie Croft: Fall’s in full swing in Yosemite and Mariposa

October comes only once a year, and doesn’t last long enough, according to some Mariposa residents. Professional and amateur photographers are heading to the mountains this season in search of gold – aspen gold.

Scott and Tiffany Christie grew up in Mariposa County and love the high country. While they hike, 2-year-old Trinity rides in a baby carrier on Scott’s back.

The Christies don’t camp much since their daughter arrived. Sometimes they stay in a hotel or get up early for a long day trip. Tiffany’s camera is always with her.

The family moved to the coast and stayed for two years, but they missed the mountains.

“We go to the eastern side (of the Sierra) every fall at least once, no matter where we live,” Tiffany says. It’s her favorite season, followed closely by winter.

In Lee Vining Canyon, Highway 120 cuts through ground that looks like a giant rock slide. They’ve been caught driving through storms before.

“It can get scary,” she says. “I understand why Tioga Pass is closed in the winter.”

At Lee Vining’s Mobil gas station is the Whoa Nellie Deli. Tiffany loves the deli’s world-famous fish tacos. She makes Scott stop every time they’re in the area.

At an altitude of 10,000 feet, Saddlebag Lake and Twenty Lakes Basin are the setting for an 8-mile hike near Tioga Peak. Taking the ferry across Saddlebag Lake shortens the hike some.

The trail loops around terrain that Tiffany calls “extreme and rugged, with jagged rock peaks. It feels like a different country.”

She says the best place to see aspens is in Lundy Canyon, where the landscape is also steep and rugged. Once the site of a mining camp, the canyon is part of the Hoover Wilderness.

Off Highway 395, side roads lead to mountain lakes, more hiking trails, waterfalls and outdoor activities.

The popular ski resort community of Mammoth Lakes and the ghost town of Bodie are both fun places to visit – obviously for different reasons.

The Christies say they would live in Mammoth if it wasn’t so far from family.

During the winter, they find adventure closer to home.

Piling into the truck, Scott drives as far as he can for off-road fun and playing in the snow, usually near Chowchilla Mountain. Or they’ll go to Yosemite Valley.

Peak fall color has passed in most higher elevations, but Yosemite Valley’s autumn colors are alive through early November.

Rugged granite rises tall with crimsons, reds, oranges and yellows reflected in Alpine lakes. Alpendell and Bishop Creek Canyon still may have fall color through this weekend.

Check www.californiafallcolor.com for current information and photos of destinations to visit now to see autumn’s display.

Earlier this month, 14 properties in Yosemite National Park were added to the National Register of Historic Places. Wilderness cabins and high-country camps over 50 years old received this distinction. Currently, more than 60 historic properties are located in the park, including five national historic landmarks. Visit www.nps.gov/yose/historyculture/nr-yose-list.htm to plan your next trip.

With pumpkin patches open and family farms offering fresh produce, there’s still time to enjoy the harvest. A few favorites:

▪ Cover’s Apple Ranch features homemade pies and pastries, plus soup, sandwiches and fresh cider at its cafe and store.

▪ Enjoy raw local honey from Gold Country Honey Farms in Sonora.

▪ Two-time winner of the International Extra Virgin Olive Oil Competition in Los Angeles, Sonora Gold Olive Oil can be found at specialty markets in the foothills, in Bay Area shops and in the Midwest.

▪ Purebred heritage Berkshire swine graze and lounge in Columbia without the aid of pesticides, hormones, antibiotics or growth supplements. And their meat is delicious, I’ve been told.

▪ Whether you’re searching for grass- or grain-fed beef, or heirloom fruits and vegetables, visit www.farmsoftuolumnecounty.org for details.

Is autumn nature’s most beautiful season? Or its most delicious? Either way, the delights of fall won’t last forever. Come to the Sierra soon and decide for yourself.

This story was originally published October 24, 2014 at 6:36 PM with the headline "Debbie Croft: Fall’s in full swing in Yosemite and Mariposa."