Lightning in The Badger Creek Wilderness, Part 2 - The Recovery Begins - a photo essay

This essay is continued from Part 1 - The Fire 

 

On my way up the mountain I was very focused on the devastation. It was easy to do with acres of burnt trees and bare ground where once stood trees with grass, rhododendrons, and wildflowers all around their feet.

But, as I turned around and started back down the trail, something caught my eye. 

There, at the edge of the trail amidst the ashes, was a spot of green. I looked closer and saw a small plant sprouting out of the ashes! It didn't take this one long to pop up.

Then I saw a rhododendron plant burnt to a crisp. At the base was a big bunch of new leaves sprouting up. Another good sign.

 

This vine maple has grown to a height of over 18" after popping from the base of it's charred parent.

By this time I was starting to feel better about the future of the area. I started watching the wildlife that had already returned. All the way along the hike almost every step I took sent grasshoppers jumping out of the way. 

When I got to the ridge above where the fire started I stopped and ate lunch.  As I sat looking out over the valley I saw half a dozen Stellar Jays flying from oak tree to oak tree. Above me were a couple of Clark's Nutcrackers in a pine tree begging for food. I obliged with some scraps. Ravens flew back and forth. And a Red-tailed Hawk rode the thermals. Up toward the summit of Ball Point I could hear a woodpecker tapping. In the distance I heard a couple of squirrels talking.

After lunch it was back on the trail.

 

In a little patch of scorched fir trees I found several clumps of wildflowers.

The heat of the fire has caused pine cones to burst open so the seeds can be scattered by the little rodents in the forest. They like to bury them to eat later. Some are forgotten and will sprout in the Spring.

Another example of new growth from what looked like a dead plant.

I was almost back to the trailhead and walking through the oak trees when I noticed something interesting. Some trees had been burnt severely and were obviously dead. Others were just scorched a bit and all the leaves were killed by the heat. Each handled the fire differently. 

The little seared trees were starting to show bright green new leaves amidst the brown, dead leaves.

The ones that were turned to charcoal were killed above the ground. So, their new growth came from the undergroound part of the tree. All but the most critical victims had little clumps of new trees at their feet.

What started as a depressing trek through apparent disaster changed to pleasant thoughts of watching this beautiful paradise heal itself over the coming years.

I can't wait to return in the Spring!