Dan, Paul, did a late fall ride around Applegate Lake.
Dan and Paul admiring the fall foliage
The lake was very low. On the west side of the lake (the side next to the road), usually the water was not far below the trail, but this time it was a huge drop from the trail to the water. Scary. You had to keep your eyes on the trail and try not to look down. This side of the lake is mostly firs and pines so it wasn't that colorful.
At the south end of the lake we took a little detour up the river to where I camped last spring. Then we headed up the east side of the lake which is called "Payette Trail". I really like this trail. Smooth with hardly any of the 3 r's (rocks, roots, and ruts). Lots of curves and mellow ups and downs. The trail follows the contour around the numerous bays, and one big arm, of the lake. Here there were oaks, and maples, and some smaller trees, that all were very colorful.
Nice colors on the trail