State Route 88 (Part 1) - Eldorado National Forest

On the 17th October 2025, my parents and I took a trip Eldorado National Forest, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, and Lake Tahoe. We drove on State Route 88, State Route 89, and then to Lake Tahoe before circling back to the SF Bay via State Route 80. I went there to see aspen autumn foliage and the small amount of snow in the mountains. It was beautiful. I took photos with my phones, and the photos are split into 4 posts. I hope you enjoy viewing my photos!

Message from the Photographer: This is the first Sierra Nevada trip since I caught COVID. I got hit with the worst altitude sickness ever. I have been wanting to go for 2 years now, but did not dare due to the amount of respiratory issues I've had with Long COVID. I decided to take a risk this time and paid for it hard. Unfortunately my health is nowhere near where it was before the COVID infection, and there is no end in sight for Long COVID. (More information at the end of the blog post.)

Parts: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 

This blog post are photos from State Route 88 in Eldorado National Forest in California on our drive up to Carson Pass. Photos are from Peddler Hill Scenic Viewpoint, Silver Lake, and Caples Lake.

A scenery photo of snowy mountains, forest and clouds. The photo was shot at Peddler Hill Scenic Viewpoint on the side of State Route 88.

A scenery photo of rocks, trees, snow, clouds, and State Route 88. The photo was shot at Peddler Hill Scenic Viewpoint.

A scenery photo of Thunder Mountain, Silver Lake, Treasure Island, and forest. The photo was shot at the intersection of Plasse Road and State Route 88.

A scenery photo of aspen autumn foliage and snow. In the photos are aspen trees and pine trees. The photo was shot at the intersection of Forest Route 10N15 and State Route 88.

A scenery photo of aspen autumn foliage and snow. In the photos are aspen trees and pine trees. The photo was shot at the intersection of Forest Route 10N15 and State Route 88.

A close up photo of aspen autumn foliage. In the photos are snow, aspen trees, and pine trees. The photo was shot at the intersection of Forest Route 10N15 and State Route 88.

A scenery photo of aspen autumn foliage and snow. In the photos are aspen trees and pine trees. The photo was shot at the intersection of Forest Route 10N15 and State Route 88.

A scenery photo of Caples Lake, snowy mountains, rocks, and forest. The photo was shot on the side of State Route 88.

A scenery photo of Caples Lake, snowy mountains, rocks, and forest. The photo was shot on the side of State Route 88.

A scenery photo of Caples Lake, Caples Lake Dam, State Route 88 (right), snowy mountain (left), and forest. The photo was shot on the side of State Route 88.

A scenery photo of State Route 88 (left), Caples Lake (right), snowy mountains, rocks, and forest. The photo was shot on the side of State Route 88.

A scenery photo of aspen autumn foliage and snow. Also in the photo are aspen trees, pine trees, sign (left), snowy mountain (left), and State Route 88 (left). The photo was shot near Caples Lake.

A scenery photo of aspen autumn foliage and snow. In the photo are aspen trees, pine trees, and snowy mountain (right). The photo was shot at Caples Lake Public Boat Launch.

A scenery photo of aspen autumn foliage and snow. In the photo are aspen trees, pine trees, and rocks. The photo was shot at Caples Lake Public Boat Launch.

A scenery photo of aspen autumn foliage and snow. In the photo are aspen trees and pine trees. The photo was shot at Caples Lake Public Boat Launch.

A scenery photo of aspen autumn foliage and snow. In the photo are aspen trees, pine trees, and rocks. The photo was shot at Caples Lake Public Boat Launch.

This is all the photos for today. I hope you have enjoyed viewing the photos! Next time I will have photos from Carson Pass and Red Lake in Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest in California. Please don't forget to share the blog post with your friends and family members! Also, if you want to get notifications when I post up more photos, "Like" us on Facebook or follow me on Instagram. These links can also be found on the top of the right sidebar.

Full Altitude Sickness Story: This was my first trip into the Sierra Nevada mountains since COVID-19 infection in November 2023. I got hit with the worst altitude sickness ever, and it went beyond anything I had expected or experienced before. At 6000ft (1800m), I start feeling affects of altitude what I used to get at 8500ft (2600m). By the time we got up to 8000ft (2400m), I was dealing with air hunger, a bad throbbing headache, nearly lost my lunch (swallowed it back a few times), a really wet cough, and severe dizziness that didn't go away even sitting down. Blood O2 was a persistent 85%-90%. 7000ft (2130m) wasn't much better, but blood O2 was around 87%-93%. Around 6300ft (1900m), I was able to maintain a persistent 95% O2, but my heart rate was very fast, and the air hunger was pretty bad. My body was resisting me very badly up there, however I was pretty happy getting to see snow and autumn foliage again. I most likely won't be doing another trip into the Sierras unless I can get oxygen.

Parts: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 

Eldorado National Forest & Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest (Cellphone Photos)

I went on a drive yesterday with my family through Eldorado National Forest and Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest in California. We drove on State Route 88 and State Route 50. Here are cellphone photos I took. I brought my camera, but there was so little snow this year, I didn't feel the need to take my camera out. I was a little bit disappointed on this trip.

Scenery photo shot at a turnout on the side of State Route 88 in Eldorado National Forest.

Scenery photo of Thunder Mountain, Silver Lake, and Treasure Island. Photo shot at a turnout on the side of State Route 88 in Eldorado National Forest.

Scenery photo of Caples Lake shot on the side of State Route 88 in Eldorado National Forest.

Scenery photo of Caples Lake shot at a turnout on the side of State Route 88 in Eldorado National Forest.

Scenery photo shot at Hope Valley Sno-Park in Hope Valley in Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest.

Scenery photo shot at a turnout on the side of State Route 50 in Eldorado National Forest.

This is all the photos for today. I hope you have enjoyed viewing the photos! Please don't forget to share the blog post with your friends and family members! Also, if you want to get notifications when I post up more photos, "Like" us on Facebook or follow me on Twitter and Instagram. These links can also be found on the top of the right sidebar.

Peddler Hill, Silver Lake, and Caples Lake (Part 4) - Eldorado National Forest

On March 16th and April 13th, I took 2 separate trips to Eldorado National Forest and Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest traveling on State Route 88 and a tiny bit of State Route 89. I took many photos while I was there of the snowy winter scenery and I am here to show you. I hope you enjoy viewing the photos.

Full Resolution Photos: If you want to see full resolution photos of any of the photos you see here, use the following links. If you wish to purchase prints of any of the photos, please contact me here. To see my best photos from Eldorado National Forest and Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, use this link. To see all of my photos from this trip, use this link.

Parts: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 

This is part 4 of my photos. The photos are shot on April 13th. The photos are from State Route 88 in Eldorado National Forest.

A snowy scenery photo of Lower Bear River Reservoir shot at Peddler Hill Scenic Viewpoint on the side of State Route 88.

Approximate GPS location (type into Google): 38° 33' 53" N 120° 15' 58" W

Black and white process of the photo above.

A snowy scenery photo from Peddler Hill Scenic Viewpoint on the side of State Route 88. Photo shot near the same spot as above.

Black and white process of the photo above.

A snowy scenery photo from Peddler Hill Scenic Viewpoint on the side of State Route 88. Photo shot near the same spot as above.

 Black and white process of the photo above.

A snowy scenery photo of Thunder Mountain and Silver Lake shot near State Route 88.

Approximate GPS location (type into Google): 38° 39' 59" N 120° 07' 15" W

A snowy scenery photo of Silver Lake shot near State Route 88. Photo shot near the same spot as above.

A snowy scenery photo of Caples Lake shot on the side of State Route 88.

Approximate GPS location (type into Google): 38° 42' 12" N 120° 03' 19" W

Black and white process of the photo above.

A snowy scenery photo of Caples Lake shot on the side of State Route 88.

Approximate GPS location (type into Google): 38° 42' 12" N 120° 03' 18" W

Black and white process of the photo above.

This is all the photos for today! I hope you have enjoyed viewing the photos! Next time I begin my photos from April 13th in Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest in California. Please don't forget to share the blog post with your friends and family members! Also, if you want to get notifications when I post up more photos, "Like" us on Facebook or follow me on Twitter and Instagram. These links can also be found on the top of the right sidebar.

Parts: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 

Eldorado National Forest (Part 1)

On December 25th, 2018, I took a trip up to Eldorado National Forest and Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest in California traveling on State Route 88 and State Route 89. I took photos of Silver Lake, Red Lake, and a lot more. I split the photos from this trip into 2 parts. I hope you enjoy.

Full Resolution Photos: If you want to see full resolution photos of any of the photos you see here, use the following links. If you wish to purchase prints of any of the photos, please contact me here. To see my best photos from these 2 national forests, use this link. To see all of my photos from this trip, use this link.

Next Part >>

This is part 1 of my photos from this trip. The photos for today are from Eldorado National Forest along State Route 88.

Scenery of Bear River Reservoir from Peddler Hill Scenic Viewpoint on the side of State Route 88.

Approximate GPS location (type into Google): 38° 33' 54" N 120° 15' 58" W

Black and white process of the photo above.

Scenery from Peddler Hill Scenic Viewpoint on the side of State Route 88. Photo shot near the same spot as above.

 Black and white process of the photo above.

Scenery from Peddler Hill Scenic Viewpoint on the side of State Route 88. Photo shot near the same spot as above.

Black and white process of the photo above.

Scenery of Thunder Mountain, Silver Lake, and Treasure Island shot on Plasse Road near State Route 88.

Approximate GPS location (type into Google): 38° 38' 58" N 120° 07' 51" W

 Black and white process of the photo above.

Scenery of Silver Lake and Thunder Mountain shot on Kays Road near State Route 88.

Approximate GPS location (type into Google): 38° 40' 02" N 120° 07' 19" W

Black and white process of the photo above.

Scenery of Silver Lake and Thunder Mountain shot on Kays Road near State Route 88. Photo shot near the same spot as above.

Black and white process of the photo above.

Scenery of Silver Lake and Thunder Mountain shot on Kays Road near State Route 88. Photo shot near the same spot as above.

Black and white process of the photo above.

This is all the photos for today! I hope you have enjoyed the photos! Next time I have sunset photos from Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest in California. Please don't forget to share the blog post with your friends and family members! Also, if you want to get notifications when I post up more photos, "Like" us on Facebook or follow me on Instagram. These links can also be found on the top of the right sidebar.

Next Part >>

Eldorado & Humboldt-Toiyabe NF - Tahoe Trip (Part 1)

Last December, I took a trip to Lake Tahoe and visited some surrounding areas. I visited Eldorado and Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, South Lake Tahoe, Tahoe City, Stateline, NV, Washoe Lake, Virgnia City, NV, and more. Here are the photos I took on the trip. If you want to see the vlog I taped for this trip, you can do so here.

Full Resolution Photos: If you want to see full resolution photos of any of the photos you see here, use the following links. If you wish to purchase prints of any of the photos, please contact me here. To see my best photos from Eldorado National Forest and Humboldt Toiyabe National Forest trips shot in 2017, use this link. To see all of my photos from these forests, use this link.

Parts: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | Aerial Scenery | 

This is part 1 of the photos from my trip. The photos are from Eldorado National Forest and Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest in California. I have been traveling a lot lately which is why the blog posts are a bit late. I haven't had time to work on the photos.

Forest scenery and clouds shot on the side of State Route 88 in Eldorado National Forest.

Approximate GPS location (type into Google): 38° 33' 53" N 120° 15' 58" W

 Black and white process of the photo above.

Forest scenery of Silver Lake, Treasure Island, and clouds shot on the side of State Route 88 in Eldorado National Forest.

Approximate GPS location (type into Google): 38° 38' 59" N 120° 07' 51" W

 Black and white process of the photo above.

Scenery of Thunder Mountain and Silver Lake in Eldorado National Forest.

Approximate GPS location (type into Google): 38° 39' 58" N 120° 07' 15" W 

Black and white process of the photo above.

Scenery of Thunder Mountain and Silver Lake in Eldorado National Forest.

Approximate GPS location (type into Google): 38° 39' 59" N 120° 07' 14" W 

 Black and white process of the photo above.

Scenery of Thunder Mountain and Silver Lake in Eldorado National Forest.

Approximate GPS location (type into Google): 38° 39' 60" N 120° 07' 13" W 

Black and white process of the photo above. 

 Snow and ice covered rocks at Silver Lake in Eldorado National Forest. Photo shot near the same spot as above.

Scenery of Caples Lake in Eldorado National Forest.

Approximate GPS location (type into Google): 38° 42' 13" N 120° 03' 50" W 

Scenery of Red Lake, Pickett Peak (left), and Hawkins Peak (center) in Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest.

Approximate GPS location (type into Google): 38° 41' 38" N 119° 59' 08" W 

Black and white process of the photo above. 

Scenery of Red Lake and Red Lake Peak in Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest.

Approximate GPS location (type into Google): 38° 41' 56" N 119° 58' 06" W 

Scenery of Red Lake and Red Lake Peak in Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. 

Approximate GPS location (type into Google): 38° 41' 57" N 119° 58' 08" W

Scenery of State Route 89, Freel Peak, Jobs Sister, and Jobs Peak in Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest.

Approximate GPS location (type into Google): 38° 46' 42" N 119° 55' 09" W 

Black and white process of the photo above. 

Scenery of West Fork Carson River in Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest.

Approximate GPS location (type into Google): 38° 46' 42" N 119° 55' 08" W 

Black and white process of the photo above. 

Scenery of West Fork Carson River, Freel Peak, Jobs Sister, and Jobs Peak in Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest.

Approximate GPS location (type into Google): 38° 46' 41" N 119° 55' 08" W

This is all the photos for today. In the next part, I have night long exposures from Stateline, NV and South Lake Tahoe, CA. Please don't forget to share the blog post with your friends and family members! Also, if you want to get notifications when I post up more photos, "Like" us on Facebook or follow me on Twitter and Instagram. These links can also be found on the top of the right sidebar.

Parts: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | Aerial Scenery |