A small high wing aircraft's right wing struck a light pole on the TRK ramp north of the fuel pit. The reporter states that the pole's faded yellow lower section blended with the environment and upper aluminum blended with the sky; thus hindering his ability to spot and avoid the object.

Narrative

While taxiing the aircraft on the ramp from parking to the fuel pump; right leading edge of wing struck light pole positioned in middle of ramp. I was the only soul on board; no injuries. Taxi speed was approximately a walking pace; I was making a left turn toward the fuel pump and never saw the light pole off the right side. I was unfamiliar with the ramp area and had never refueled at Truckee before. There is a yellow taxi line from the main taxiway but because I was approaching the pump area from a different part of the ramp I was not on a line. When I started the left turn into the pump area I saw another aircraft already refueling. The fuel pump is on an island so I began an offset to the right to join a counter-clockwise flow around the island and pull up in line behind the aircraft already there. It was just after the offset back to the right that the strike occurred. The lower portion of the light pole is painted a dull yellow. Looking at it from a variety of angles; the yellow blends in with much of the surrounding vegetation which at this time of the year is tall brown grass. Though there are a number of similar poles on the ramp at Truckee; many have orange cones around them and are situated at the edge of the parking apron. This pole in particular is an issue because it is right in the middle of an open paved area. A recommendation to prevent another such occurrence would be to paint the pole in a much brighter; more distinct color. Cones would also help bring attention to the obstruction.