Pino trail, 4.5 miles one way, starts at the Elena Gallegos Picnic Area and climbs up Pino Canyon to the Crest Trail. I remember it as a a great hike for hot summer weather with plenty of deep shade along the tall tree cover. The hike started out as planned along the rocks, pinons and junipers.
We met a man standing on the trail intently focused on taking pictures of something on the side of the trail. I asked him what was of interest. And here it is. Can you recognize the plant? Poison ivy.
As we walked up this is what we found. Instead of a dense shade... dead trees, killed by the pine bark beetle.
The whole mountain side was devastated. We hiked about 3/75 miles up, only to find the same destruction every where. And, of course, no more shade, making the hiking challenging in high heat.
Still, it was spring and here and there we crossed nature in full bloom.
A field of Columbine....
and even a trickle of water.
Thanks so much for this information. I have to let you know I concur on several of the points you make here and others may require some further review, but I can see your viewpoint.
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