SPECTACULAR PLACE HIDDEN IN THE TREES
My husband, Paul, and I discovered marvelous Markleeville thanks to a mudslide in May, which prompted a detour that opened our eyes to a spectacular slice of California. Alpine County — a little-populated, much-forested place — is a delight, west of U.S. 395 near the Nevada border. The tab: $99 for a room with a king-size bed at Creekside Lodge in Markleeville; $75 for dinner, cobbler and wine at Sorensen’s Resort; $13 for breakfast at Alps Haus Cafe; and $7 for a pass to Grover Hot Springs State Park. THE BED I made our reservation at the Creekside Lodge by making a phone call (no online bookings, no confirmation numbers). Later, when I needed to make an adjustment, I felt as though the proprietor already knew me. As we chatted, I learned that her co-host can reliably predict good fishing spots because he is in charge of local stocking on the Carson River. My spouse was very pleased. Our cabin-themed room bordered on a burbling creek, and we were steps from good eateries. The town’s historic walking tour passed in front. OK, full disclosure: no TV or speedy internet, but we were not here to stay indoors. THE MEAL The excellent dinner on the deck at the rustic Sorensen’s Resort in nearby Hope Valley was a happy surprise. Reservations are recommended, but the staff took pity on two sweaty hikers and found a shaded picnic table for us. Paul ordered a salad, and I had Sorensen’s signature beef Bourguignon and berry cobbler. In Markleeville, the arty Alps Haus Cafe served steaming fresh-brewed coffee and breakfast in a friendly setting.
THE FIND
Alpine County. Hands down. We thought we knew the Sierra, but we had somehow missed this rugged county between Lake Tahoe and Yosemite. The hike at Grover’s Falls won our vote. It was mostly flat and wildflower-filled, capped by a climb to a waterfall that challenged me. The threemile hike was such a sweet taste of this sparsely populated county (1,200 full-time residents) where most of the land is publicly owned and filled with lakes, hot springs, rushing rivers and towering peaks.
THE LESSON LEARNED There’s more to discover in this sprawling county. In May, I got a quick taste of pioneer history by following some of the still-visible ruts left by wagon trains of the mid-1800s. Then there’s catch-and-release fishing in September and October (weekends only) at protected Heenan Lake and fall colors along the highways.