Pickett & Hawkins PeaksPickett Peak (left) and Hawkins Peak that you can see from Hope Valley parking lot off Blue Lakes Road. Pickett Peak (left) and Hawkins Peak that you can see from Hope Valley parking lot off Blue Lakes Road. This area was barely saved from three forest fires: one caused by a federal government control burn; one caused by the federal and California state governments ignoring al lightning strike in a remote area that they called a "good fire" that then exploded and caused so much damage, the area will not recover for hundreds of years; and a third that was caused by humans on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada. There also have been other fires close by in past years. How long this area will last in its beautiful, near-pristine state is anyone's guess. I'm fortunate I got it photographed. This gallery is linked to the Hope Valley gallery that features many photos of fall colors, forests and the Carson River.